News

MAKINDU SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST HEALTH FACILITIES IN MAKUENI.

Makindu Sub-County Hospital is one of the busiest health facilities in Makueni, providing life-saving care not only to Makueni residents but also to patients from neighboring counties, including Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and Kitui.

Strategically located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, the hospital frequently handles road traffic accident victims.

Recognizing this challenge, the County Government established a state-of-the-art trauma center at the hospital.

This development enhances the hospital’s capacity to deliver timely and specialized care to patients in critical condition. The Ministry of Health

MAKUENI TOURISM BOOTH TAKES CENTER STAGE AT MAGICAL KENYA EXPO.

Makueni County is participating in this year’s MagicalKenya Travel Expo, which kicked off on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Makueni’s booth has garnered significant attention, with visitors eager to learn more about the county’s unique tourist destinations, the scenic views, vibrant Akamba culture and available travel packages.

The exhibition was launched by President William Samoei Ruto and has drawn over 300 exhibitors, 160 buyers and more than 70 global media outlets, and seeks to offer a prime platform for the country to showcase its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings.

The theme of the 3-day expo is “Explore, Connect, Celebrate,” and highlights Makueni’s efforts to boost tourism and promote local attractions.

MAKUENI COUNTY DISABILITY POLICY DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services on Wednesday held a stakeholders’ engagement forum to review the draft Makueni County Disability Policy.

The forum, supported by Women Challenged to Challenge and the United Disabled Persons of Kenya, aimed to address the needs and concerns of people living with disabilities in the county.

Key discussions focused on inclusivity, the welfare of persons with disabilities, and the protection of their rights, in a bid to improve outcomes for the disabled community.

MAKUENI HOSTS 46 COUNTIES FOR LEARNING MISSION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday hosted 46 counties for the Climate Compatible Growth Conference, aimed at promoting peer-to-peer learning on the productive use of renewable energy and strengthening climate resilience.

The conference, organized by the Council of Governors in partnership with UK PACT, brings together County Executive Committee Members (CECs) and Directors in charge of energy for a three-day learning mission in Makueni County.

Kericho County’s Energy CEC, Rosemary Rop, who also serves as the Chairperson for the Energy CECs caucus, said many counties struggle with building capacity to tackle energy challenges, and need practical guidance in transforming policies into viable solutions.

The conference follows the recent launch of Makueni’s 10-year energy plan, which is designed to guide the development and implementation of sustainable and affordable energy solutions for residents.

Governor Mutula, who officially opened the conference in Wote, noted that Makueni had already begun implementing the solarization project at the Makueni Referral Hospital prior to the launch of the energy plan.

The governor encouraged delegates to prioritize actionable outcomes from the energy policy documents, reminding them that the public is eager to see real development results.

“It is not enough to have sound policies, plans and budgets, what will matter to the citizen is the development outcomes from these policy documents. There must therefore be a deliberate effort to ensure development,” said Governor Mutula.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR ON TUESDAY MORNING HOSTED A DELEGATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM NEPAL.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday morning hosted a delegation of government officials from Nepal for a peer-to-peer learning on Makueni’s Devolved Climate Financing. Makueni has implemented a robust community driven climate change resilience building strategy where the community identifies climate risks and resilience action plans.

900 community members who form the ward climate change planning committees act as ambassadors of climate change at the community level.

INDIAN RESEARCH SCIENTIST PROF. RAJENDRAN JOINED GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ON TUESDAY AS HE HOSTED A TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA (NPI).

Indian research scientist Prof. Rajendran joined Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday as he hosted a team from the National Museums of Kenya (NPI). The meeting focused on finding ways to turn indigenous knowledge into practical innovations that can be marketed.

The visit comes after the completion of the indigenous knowledge documentation in Makueni County. It also sets the stage for the upcoming international investment conference, where key Kamba cultural assets will be showcased to potential investors.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH AIC CURE HOSPITAL AND ARD TO BOOST PEDIATRIC CARE, WATER GOVERNANCE, AND CLIMATE ACTION.

On Monday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two key organizations: AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya and ARD, a prime contractor for USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program.

AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya, a Christian non-profit organization, specializes in pediatric surgical care, focusing on children with physical and neurological disabilities.

This partnership aims to enhance the provision of ortho-pediatric surgeries and rehabilitation services for children with corrective physical disabilities at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to improve access to these essential healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has entered into a partnership with ARD (WASH-FIN2) to bolster governance in the water and sanitation sector, improve service delivery, and mobilize financing for the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

Makueni County is currently implementing FLLoCA activities, which aim to establish a national model for decentralizing funds to counties and empowering local communities to have a greater influence in addressing climate-related challenges.

TRANSITION TO SOCIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

Government of Makueni County through the Department of Health Services, has signed an agreement with the Social Health Authority (SHA) for the provision of health services across all public health facilities within the county. This agreement marks the smooth transition of services from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, effective 1st October 2024. From this date, all county health facilities will offer services according to the SHA benefits package.

Residents of Makueni are encouraged to continue self-registering for SHA by dialing *147# and following the prompts or by visiting the SHA website at www.sha.go.ke. For those requiring assistance, support is available at any Level 4 hospital or SHA (formerly NHIF) offices throughout the county.

Additionally, the county is in the process of training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to assist residents with self-registration at the household level.

Makueni County will continue to register and provide services under the MakueniCare initiative, as outlined in the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy.

Dr. Paul Musila

County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Health Services

Makueni County

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY 2024 IN EMALI.

Hundreds of women and girls gathered in Emali town on Thursday to undergo clinical screenings for diabetes and hypertension as they marked world contraception day.

The event, organized by the Makueni County Government in collaboration with various partners, aimed to empower women and girls by providing information and resources on contraceptive options.

Dr. Harvey Mulei, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource Management and Administration, led the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and wanted.

He also noted that Emali Hospital has been upgraded and gazetted as a Level 4 facility, with plans underway to establish a surgical theater and install additional medical equipment.

Dr. Mulei further pledged that the county would mobilize more resources and secure funding to enhance access to quality contraceptive services.

He urged residents along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway to remain vigilant against mpox.

Additionally, Dr. Mulei encouraged locals to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) starting October 1st, to ensure access to medical services.

THE GRAND OPENING OF A MODERN TRUCK STOP IN SULTAN HAMUD.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has urged the Kenyan government to step in and facilitate the safe return of Florence Wanza Munyao, a Kenyan truck driver allegedly abducted amid military conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking at the grand opening of a modern truck stop in Sultan Hamud, Mulili highlighted the significance of women participating in long-distance driving, emphasizing that the profession is about skill, not gender. She added that women excelling in this field demonstrate equity, inclusion, and participation.

Supastop, constructed by real estate developer Superior Homes, offers essential services to long-distance drivers, including accommodation, restaurants, a fuel station, washrooms, and secure parking.

Mulili remarked that the modern facility is more than just a business venture, calling it a milestone in the county’s economic development.

Shiv Arora, CEO of Superior Homes, stated that the new facility also represents a major advancement in infrastructure and logistics.

Sultan Hamud is a critical hub for truck drivers, with an estimated 300 trucks parking along the road each night.

The event was attended by Dr. Sonia Nzilani, County Executive Member for Trade, and Superior Homes Managing Director Ian Henderson, among other dignitaries.