Partnerships

KCB EXPANDS SUPPORT FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AS IT DEEPENS PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKUENI COUNTY.

Women entrepreneurs in Makueni County are now benefiting from enhanced access to financing and business development support through a female-focused initiative by KCB Foundation aimed at narrowing the gender gap in entrepreneurship.

The programme, which targets women-led enterprises, offers unsecured loans of up to KSh10 million, alongside mentorship, green financing opportunities and business advisory services designed to help businesses grow and become more sustainable.

The initiative mirrors the spirit of the Makueni Empowerment Fund, which supports youth, women, men and persons living with disabilities through access to affordable financing and economic empowerment opportunities.

On Tuesday evening, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili attended a dinner hosted by KCB Bank at the Kelvian Hotel in Wote, that brought together women-led and women-made enterprise customers.

The forum provided an opportunity for the bank and county government to explore areas of collaboration, strengthen existing partnerships and discuss issues of mutual interest affecting businesses and communities.

Speaking during the event, Mulili lauded KCB for its continued partnership with Makueni County in programmes aimed at improving livelihoods and promoting economic growth.

She noted that the bank has been a key development partner in several initiatives that have positively impacted residents across the county.

Among the notable collaborations is the Mifugo ni Mali programme, which focuses on strengthening agricultural livelihoods, as well as the Tujiajiri initiative, which seeks to address youth unemployment by equipping young people with skills and opportunities for self-employment.

Mulili further said such partnerships play a critical role in empowering entrepreneurs, creating jobs and driving inclusive economic development.

The engagement underscored the growing role of financial institutions in supporting enterprise development, particularly among women, who continue to face barriers in accessing capital and business support services.

Mulili was accompanied by finance CECM Damaris Kavoi, Energy Chief Officer Nomi Nthambi, County Public service CEO Redempter Kavindu and the County referral Hospital CEO Martha Munyao.

FREE MEDICAL CAMP OFFERS NEW HOPE TO ELDERLY MAN BATTLING HEARING LOSS

A seventy-eight-year-old Soo Kiamba from Kitaingo could not hide his joy after meeting Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at Mukaa Comprehensive School on Saturday, whom he commended for forging partnerships that directly benefit the public and urged him to sustain such collaborations.

Makueni is collaborating with the M-Pesa Foundation, is conducting a free general medical camp at Mukaa comprehensive school on Saturday.

Kiamba said he has been seeking treatment at private clinics for years but is now hopeful that he may finally regain his hearing following consultations at the camp.

Having experienced hearing difficulties for several years, he described the free medical outreach as a lifeline and praised the initiative for bringing essential healthcare services closer to residents.

Governor Mutula, accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and officials from the M-Pesa Foundation, toured various service points at the venue to assess the progress of the medical camp.

Hundreds of residents had already registered for treatment by Saturday morning, with the exercise expected to continue until 5 p.m.

FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR MAKUENI RESIDENTS:

“As part of our continued commitment to supporting our people and ensuring that no resident is denied emergency healthcare because of financial constraints, I am pleased to announce that, through the provisions of the new Finance Bill, all internal ambulance transfers for Makueni residents within the county will be offered free of charge effective 1st July 2026. To enhance accountability, efficiency, and patient safety, the County Government, in partnership with ENI, will implement a comprehensive ambulance tracking system. This initiative will help monitor ambulance movements, curb fuel misuse, drunk driving, promote responsible driving practices, and ensure that emergency response services are delivered effectively and efficiently. This intervention reflects our government’s enduring commitment to providing compassionate, accessible, and people centred healthcare for every household across Makueni County.” Governor Mutula kilonzo Jr. revealed in his speech during Madaraka Day celebrations.

VITAMIN ANGELS COMMENDS MAKUENI ON MATERNAL HEALTH DRIVE

Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer has commended Makueni County for prioritising the welfare of vulnerable women through interventions aimed at addressing malnutrition and improving maternal health.

Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in Makueni, Schiffer said the county had demonstrated commitment to supporting women who lack the economic means to adequately address nutrition challenges.

He noted that the partnership between Vitamin Angels and the County Government of Makueni will enhance access to essential nutrition services for underserved pregnant women, infants and children across the county.

Vitamin Angels Africa Technical Director,Dr. Lucy Kanya described the intervention as an equaliser and a global solution in addressing maternal anaemia. She applauded Makueni County for taking the initiative to secure the intervention for women, terming the move monumental for the county.

Dr.Kanya further said the programme is expected to contribute to a reduction in preterm births, cases of babies born underweight, and improve the overall health of mothers and children, describing it as an investment with generational impact.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. acknowledged that a majority of residents rely on public hospitals for healthcare services and said leaders have a responsibility to provide solutions that directly benefit the public.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rolling out interventions aimed at addressing critical healthcare challenges in the county.

MAKUENI FLAGS OFF MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer on Thursday flagged off 7,200 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), each containing 180 tablets, for distribution to 13 selected health facilities across Makueni County under a pilot programme.

The beneficiaries include Makueni County Referral Hospital, seven sub-county hospitals, three health centres and two dispensaries.

Makueni becomes the first county in the country to pilot the Multiple Micronutrient Supplements programme with support from a consortium comprising Vitamin Angels, IDE and Helen Keller International.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony attended by healthcare workers and members of the public at the Mother and Child Hospital, Governor Mutula highlighted the case of a baby born weighing 800 grams about 50 days ago, who has since gained weight to one kilogram.

The governor described the pain mothers endure while caring for premature babies in hospital as unimaginable, saying the introduction of the supplements would help address prematurity and other complications associated with preterm births.

He noted that the programme would ease the burden on families, as expectant mothers receiving the supplements are likely to deliver healthier babies, reducing the cost of treatment for malnourished children.

Governor Mutula added that teenage mothers, who are among the groups most affected by preterm deliveries, also stand to benefit from the intervention.

The governor further highlighted several healthcare interventions his administration has introduced to address life-threatening conditions, including the use of heat-stable carbetocin medication to prevent excessive bleeding among women after delivery.

He also noted that Makueni County Referral Hospital is now treating hydrocephalus, a condition in which babies are born with excess fluid in the brain.

Previously, patients had to seek treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, but through a specialised clinic established by the county and the employment of a neurosurgeon, treatment is now available within Makueni.

Governor Mutula said his administration remains committed to improving healthcare services and pledged to continue working with development partners to advance the county’s development agenda.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS DEAL TO EXPAND NUTRITION SERVICES IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vitamin Angels Founder Howard B. Schiffer on behalf of the people of Makueni County, in a move aimed at strengthening maternal and child nutrition services.

The partnership seeks to accelerate access to essential nutrition services for underserved pregnant women, infants, and children across the county.

Before the signing ceremony, the Vitamin Angels delegation paid a courtesy call on the governor. The team included the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ana Cespedes, among other officials.

The delegation is also in Makueni to flag off a consignment of multiple micronutrient supplements that will benefit pregnant women in the county.

MAKUENI BOOSTS FARMER-LED IRRIGATION IN KILOME

The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the 𝙉𝒂𝙩𝒊𝙤𝒏𝙖𝒍 𝑨𝙜𝒓𝙞𝒄𝙪𝒍𝙩𝒖𝙧𝒂𝙡 𝙑𝒂𝙡𝒖𝙚 𝘾𝒉𝙖𝒊𝙣 𝘿𝒆𝙫𝒆𝙡𝒐𝙥𝒎𝙚𝒏𝙩 𝙋𝒓𝙤𝒋𝙚𝒄𝙩 (𝑵𝘼𝑽𝘾𝑫𝙋) on Thursday launched the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development programme in Marwa Watershed, Kiima Kiu Kalanzoni, Kilome Sub-County.

The project involves excavation of 30 farm ponds with a capacity of 250M3 each to support irrigation and improve food production. Thirty farmers from the watershed were also trained on mindset change and Sustainable Land Management practices in partnership with Christian Impact Mission (CIM).

Speaking during the launch, CECM Damaris Kavoi said the programme will strengthen climate-smart farming and improve household incomes through reliable water access for farming.

The event was attended by Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and other officers in a programme aimed at enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture.

MAKUENI BETS ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT TO ATTRACT GLOBAL INVESTORS AT KONZA.

Makueni County is steadily positioning itself as a model for inclusive economic transformation through strategic partnerships aimed at boosting investment, industrial growth and job creation.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili paid a courtesy call on a global fashion brand investing with Konza Technopolis as part of efforts to strengthen the county’s investor-friendly agenda.

The high-level stakeholder engagement also brought together private sector players in a renewed push to unlock employment opportunities, skills development and industrial expansion.

Mulili said the county government is intensifying collaboration with investors establishing operations at the innovation hub to ensure residents of Makueni benefit from the emerging opportunities.

Among the investors is global fashion brand Lucky DJ X, whose products are marketed across America and Europe. The company is currently onboarding local residents in tailoring, ironing, fashion design, warehousing and store management, creating fresh employment opportunities for youth in the county.

In addition, a Chinese investor setting up a packaging manufacturing industry at Konza is seeking local labour, further reinforcing Makueni’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for investment and industrial expansion.

The engagements come at a time when Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration is scaling up investment in technical skills development to ensure local residents are adequately prepared to benefit from emerging opportunities.

MAKUENI CHAMPIONS AGROECOLOGY TO BOOST FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENT FARMING

The Department of Agriculture in collaboration with development partners, on Wednesday held the Makueni Farmers’ Field Day at Kee Ward, bringing together more than 300 farmers for sensitization on agroecology farming practices aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation and food security.

The field day, themed 𝘈𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘴, 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘍𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, brought together farmers, agricultural officers and stakeholders to showcase environmentally friendly farming methods that reduce dependence on harmful chemicals while improving farm productivity.

During the event, farmers were trained on the use of organic manure, mulching, crop rotation, intercropping, natural pest control and water harvesting technologies to improve soil health and conserve moisture.

Speaking during the field day, County Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi encouraged farmers to embrace agroecology practices, noting that the approach plays a key role in restoring soil fertility, conserving the environment and enhancing food production through safe and sustainable farming methods.

The event was attended by Chief Officer for Agriculture Japheth Kiminza, who noted that the adoption of agroecology practices would help lower production costs by reducing reliance on expensive farm inputs while improving yields and soil health. He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to supporting farmers through strengthened agricultural extension services and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture across the county.

Key partners including Pelum Kenya, Biovision Africa Trust, Effective IPM Association, INADES-Formation and Agroecology Fund emphasized the need for farmers to embrace sustainable farming systems to enhance food security, improve nutrition and build resilience against climate change.

MAKUENI DEEPENS DIGITAL HEALTH PUSH WITH PROMIXIE EXPANSION DEAL

Makueni County has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mawingu Foundation to expand internet connectivity to sub-county hospitals, paving the way for wider deployment of Proximie’s digital healthcare technology across the county.

The agreement will strengthen last-mile internet connectivity in health facilities, allowing Makueni to scale the Proximie platform from the Makueni County Referral Hospital to hospitals in remote parts of the county.

The move is expected to improve access to specialized healthcare services by enabling doctors and specialists to support medical teams remotely, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for treatment.

Makueni became the first county in Africa to adopt Proximie technology in its public healthcare system in 2022. The platform enables real-time remote collaboration during medical procedures through live video, audio and augmented reality tools, allowing specialists to guide surgeries, offer consultations and mentor clinicians from different locations.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the expansion reflects the county’s commitment to using technology to bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly for residents in undeserved areas.

He noted that the system has helped reduce unnecessary referrals while improving training, data protection and the overall quality of care in county health facilities.

The signing was witnessed by Proximie’s Head of Global Health, Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos, who praised Governor Mutula for pioneering the adoption of the technology in Kenya’s public health sector and for leading efforts to scale the innovation across the county.