Partnerships

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT BORESHA MACHO PROJECT TO BOOST EYE HEALTH SERVICES

Deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday launched the Boresha Macho Project at Kathonzweni Health Centre, an eye health initiative aimed at improving access to affordable and quality refractive error services across the county.

Through the programme, more than 100,000 residents are set to undergo eye screening, with over 12,000 spectacles expected to be distributed spectacles, significantly contributing to Kenya’s goal of increasing access to refractive error services from the current 6.7 percent to 40 percent.

The county government is implementing the project in collaboration with Sight Savers and the Kenya Society for the Blind.

Currently, eye care services are available at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, Makindu Sub-County Hospital, and satellite clinics in Mbooni, Kibwezi, and Sultan Hamud.

The initiative forms part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s broader agenda to strengthen primary healthcare and bring essential medical services closer to the people.

As part of the partnership, Sight Savers will equip the county with modern eye care technology, support community outreaches, establish a state-of-the-art optical shop at the referral hospital, and train community health promoters to enhance awareness and early intervention.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI WELCOMES A DELEGATION FROM SIGHT SAVERS AND THE KENYA SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, AHEAD OF THE BORESHA MACHO EYE HEALTH PROJECT LAUNCH.

The initiative aims to provide residents of Makueni with accessible, affordable, and quality eye care services, focusing on the detection and treatment of refractive errors.

Through this partnership, the county plans to screen more than 100,000 residents and distribute over 12,000 spectacles to those in need.

Additionally, the programme will strengthen local health capacity by training more than 300 Community Health Promoters and 22 healthcare workers across all six sub-counties. Sightsavers

WHERE NATURE, CULTURE AND ADVENTURE MEET

Rising gracefully between Makindu and Mtito Andei in Makueni County, the Chyullu Hills National Park is a captivating destination covering about 741 square kilometers of scenic beauty and rich biodiversity.

The rolling green hills, dotted with acacia and savanna vegetation, form a perfect backdrop for wildlife; elephants, giraffes, lions, zebras, and buffaloes roam freely, offering visitors a thrilling safari experience.

For adventure seekers, the nature walks and hiking trails across the swelling hills promise spectacular views stretching all the way to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hidden within the volcanic formations is the famous Kisyula Cave, one of the Kenya’s longest lava tubes, drawing explorers from far and wide.

Beyond its natural charm, Chyullu holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning to the Kamba community, who once gathered here for rainmaking and sacred ceremonies.

With enhanced safety through a partnership between the Makueni Tourism Directorate and Kenya Wildlife Service, and easy access via the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway, plus modern hospitality in Kibwezi, Makindu, and Mtito Andei, Chyullu Hills stands as a serene blend of nature, heritage, and adventure awaiting discovery.

MAKUENI HEALTH DEPARTMENT HOLDS WORKSHOP TO STRENGTHEN LABORATORY STANDARDS

The Department of Health Services, in partnership with Amref Health Africa Global Fund and CIHEB PACT Imara, has convened a five-day workshop bringing together laboratory staff from various health facilities across the county.

The Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Development Workshop seeks to enhance the quality and efficiency of laboratory operations and ensure compliance with updated regulatory frameworks, including the Laboratory Continuous Quality Improvement (LCQI) and ISO 15189:2022 standards.

Speaking during the training, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, Joyce Mutua, applauded the laboratory professionals for their commitment to maintaining high service standards.

She underscored the vital role laboratories play in disease diagnosis and surveillance, emphasizing that accurate results are key to effective healthcare delivery.

By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to finalize revised SOPs for adoption and implementation across all county laboratories.

STAKEHOLDERS SHAPE NAVCDP 2026/2027 BUDGET PRIORITIES IN MAKUENI

National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) stakeholder participation forum to deliberate on the FY 2026/2027 and Medium-Term Budget plans.

The meeting aimed to collect views, recommendations, and priorities from various partners and community representatives to ensure the budget reflects the real needs of Makueni residents.

While addressing the forum, CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, emphasized the importance of teamwork and accountability in implementing agricultural projects that empower farmers and strengthen cooperatives across the county.

Ms. Muli reminded participants that the budgeting process should focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people and improving livelihoods.

The engagement, guided by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, underscored public participation as a key pillar in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in resource allocation.

Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyallo also attended the forum, commending stakeholders for their active involvement in shaping Makueni’s agricultural development agenda.

THINKWELL GLOBAL DEEPENS COLLABORATION WITH MAKUENI TO STRENGTHEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

On Thursday,ThinkWell Global leadership team visited Makueni to explore ways of strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.

During the engagement with County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua, Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mbithi, and other senior health officials, the team discussed progress made under the Strategic Purchasing for Primary Health Care (SP4PHC) project, an initiative aimed at improving how health services are financed, managed, and delivered at the community level.

Mutua emphasized that partnerships like this are helping Makueni build a more responsive and sustainable health system.

The ThinkWell delegation also toured Kathonzweni Health Centre and Kiangini Dispensary, where they witnessed first-hand how local health workers are applying data-driven approaches to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Impressed by the county’s leadership and innovation in health governance, the team expressed optimism about scaling up the partnership to further advance universal health coverage in Makueni.

MAKUENI COUNTY, BAMBURI LEAD EYE SCREENING DRIVE TO BOOST ROAD SAFETY

Makueni County, in partnership with Bamburi Cement Ltd, has launched a major road safety campaign targeting over 2,000 long-distance truck drivers along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Dubbed “Healthy Eyes, Safer Roads,” the week-long drive at SUPASTOP, Sultan Hamud, focuses on early detection of vision problems and health risks like hypertension, diabetes, and fatigue-key contributors to accidents along the Highway, where 70% of the county’s road crashes occur.

Led by medical teams from Kilome Nursing Hospital, the initiative offers free eye checks, prescription glasses, safety gear, and referrals. It also includes safe driving education.

The public-private effort, involving NTSA, Kenya Transporters Association, Superior Homes, and others, supports Makueni’s goal to cut accidents and shape better transport policy.

MAKUENI SEALS DEAL WITH KEVEVAPI TO STRENGTHEN LIVESTOCK HEALTH AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Makueni County Government has signed a strategic partnership with the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) in a move set to revolutionize livestock health and boost the local economy.

The collaboration seeks to improve vaccine uptake in the county, which currently stands at a low 30 percent, with an ambitious target of reaching 70 percent. Through this deal, farmers will benefit from a more reliable, timely, and efficient supply of vaccines.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the fight against devastating livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Caprine Pleuropneumonia, Rabies, Brucellosis, and Rift Valley Fever.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili hailed the partnership as a major boost to livestock farming, which contributes 20 percent to Makueni’s GDP and sustains 65 percent of households.

Her remarks were echoed by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, who reaffirmed the county’s pledge to fully support the initiative and ensure long-term success.

KALAWA MANGO FARMERS EXPLORE NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Mango farmers on Wednesday held a linkage meeting in Kalawa, organized by the County Government in collaboration with stakeholders across the mango value chain.

The forum brought together farmers, exporters, processors, county officials, TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the agro-chemical industry to explore ways of boosting commercial mango farming.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Officer for Livestock, Japheth Kiminza said partnerships are key to unlocking the sector’s potential and transforming farmers’ incomes.

He further urged farmers to use the platform to connect with exporters and processors, noting that access to reliable markets remains a major challenge.

The meeting that was attended by Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority Managing Director Joseph Kioko provided farmers with a chance to engage on export opportunities, address production hurdles and build stronger, sustainable value chains.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES ‘INSPIRING READERS’ PROJECT

The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), has launched the Inspiring Readers Project at Mutyambua Library in Mbitini Ward. The program benefits five schools in Mbitini and Emali/Mulala Wards.

Chief Officer ICT, Education, and Internship, Irene Makau, reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s commitment to strengthening community libraries to enhance reading culture in the county emphasizing the County government’s commitment to embrace virtual reading by ensuring internet connectivity to the County Libraries.

KNLS officials led by Director Preservation Betty Kalugho unveiled plans to roll out virtual libraries in County Libraries. Already, learners are showing improved reading skills and confidence, with the initiative sparking a love for reading. With ten libraries established in partnership with Book Aid International, the success at Mutyambua sets the pace for further expansion across the county.