Partnerships

MAKUENI EMBARKS ON COUNTYWIDE HR AND SKILLS AUDIT UNDER KDSP II PROGRAM

The Makueni County Government has partnered with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) to roll out a comprehensive Human Resource and Skills Audit across its entire workforce.

The three-month exercise is being conducted under the Kenya Devolution Support Program II (KDSP II), a World Bank-financed initiative aimed at enhancing county performance through institutional strengthening and improved service delivery.

The audit will target all county employees, including those on permanent and pensionable terms, contract staff, and personnel in semi-autonomous government agencies, sub-county, ward, and sub-ward levels within the executive arm of government.

During the inception meeting, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized that the exercise is designed to identify employee strengths and skills gaps, and to support workforce development by aligning staff competencies with departmental functions.

She reassured staff that the process is not a punitive measure but a constructive initiative to build a capable and efficient workforce.

IHRM, the professional body mandated to carry out the audit, has committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality throughout the exercise.

Makueni is among the counties that qualified for the KDSP II grant, a performance-based initiative funded by the World Bank through the performance-for-results approach.

Speaking during a briefing to County Executive Committee Members, County service board chair,IHRM officials, Chief Officers, Directors, and HR personnel, Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka underlined the importance of the audit in addressing longstanding human resource challenges in counties.

He noted that undertaking the exercise is a key condition for accessing further funding under the World Bank-supported program.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BOOST CLEAN WATER ACCESS IN WOTE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Tanathi Water Works Development Agency CEO Fidelis Kyengo, on Wednesday launched critical infrastructure works aimed at improving water supply for Wote Town and its environs.

The projects, funded by Tanathi through a long-standing partnership with the county government, include:

• Equipping a 30,000-liter-per-hour borehole at Mwaani and connecting it to a 12.5 KW solar power system;

• Solarizing the Kamunyolo community water supply system with a 10 KW solar installation;

• Installing an 88 KW solar power system for booster pumping to the Makueni Boys distribution tanks;

• Construction and rehabilitation of 13.5 km distribution pipeline;

• Supply and installation of bulk water meters.

The Mwaani borehole will inject an extra 30,000 litres per hour into the existing water supply network, while the Kamunyolo project will increase daily pumping hours from just 45 minutes to 7 hours.

Governor Mutula noted that his administration is working round the clock to ensure sustainable and adequate clean water supply for Wote Town, to meet the demands of its rapidly growing urban population and to boost investor confidence.

MAKUENI AND THINKWELL STRENGTHEN HEALTH SECTOR THROUGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

The Makueni County Government, in partnership with ThinkWell, have been implementing a performance management framework aimed at systematically tracking progress, identifying service delivery gaps, and enhancing health outcomes across the county.

On Tuesday, the County Health Management Team convened at Kusyombunguo Hotel to assess the implementation of previous action points and propose corrective measures where necessary.

During the forum, ThinkWell representative Moses Maragu reported that health facilities achieved a 100 percent reporting rate in April and May this year.

Level 2 and 3 facilities recorded higher participation and inclusion in the analysis compared to level 4 facilities.

The assessment also showed that level 4 facilities had attained full availability of essential maternal and newborn care equipment.

Items such as delivery beds, vacuum extractors, and complete delivery packs were reported to be readily available, reflecting improved facility readiness for maternal and newborn care.

Outgoing County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Dr. Paul Musila, who attended the meeting, used the opportunity to introduce the incoming CECM, Joyce Mutua.

He emphasized the role of performance management in strengthening accountability, enhancing efficiency, and aligning health interventions with county priorities.

He also highlighted the framework’s role in promoting data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and the optimal use of resources to better serve the population.

COUNTY PARTNERS WITH KILOME YOUTH AND KNH DOCTORS TO REACH OVER 500 IN MEDICAL OUTREACH

Over the weekend, the County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with Kilome Digital Youth Kenya and medical professionals from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), conducted a successful medical outreach program targeting over 500 residents of Kilome Sub-county.

The outreach, led by Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chief Officer for Health Services, provided free medical services including general health screenings, cancer checks, laboratory diagnostics, and medication.

Dr. Mulei noted that the program exceeded expectations, as there was sufficient medication for all patients, with the surplus redirected to local health facilities.

He noted that medical camps play a critical role in early detection and timely intervention of health conditions. He said they also help in identifying cases that require referral to higher-level facilites.

He further disclosed that, as part of the county’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the health department are in the process of developing a health insurance scheme aimed at shielding residents from the vagaries of hospital bills.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH JUDICIARY TO ROLL OUT ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

In a significant move to enhance access to justice at the grassroots level, Makueni County has announced a strategic partnership with the Judiciary to establish an Alternative Justice System (AJS). This initiative aims at streamlining justice delivery through culturally grounded and community-led mechanisms that complement formal court processes.

Speaking on Thursday when she paid courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office, Lady Justice Mumbua Matheka, Judge of the High Court, emphasized the urgent need for a structured Alternative Justice System to address the root causes of injustice and ensure timely dispute resolution.

She said AJS will be established in every sub-county and that the teams will include local national Government administrators, county grassroots officers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, elders, and representatives from the Court Users Committee (CUC) and undergo specialized training in legal and traditional dispute resolution skills.

Justice Matheka referenced a national survey revealing that only 17% of disputes in Kenya reach formal courts. A significant 67% are resolved informally within communities, while 16% are abandoned altogether. She said this shows the need for a more inclusive justice system that recognizes the important role of traditional dispute resolution.

Governor Mutula welcomed the initiative, expressing full support for the judiciary’s efforts to bring justice closer to the people.

Also present at the meeting were High Court Judge, Justice Elijah Obaga, Chief Magistrate P. N. Gesora, Resident Magistrate, F.C. Ngetich, Senior Resident Magistrate, M. Mutua, and CECM, Finance Damaris Kavoi.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH PATH, WITH SUPPORT FROM AMERICAN BIOPHARMACEUTICAL GIANT AMGEN, TO COMBAT THE GROWING THREAT OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES (NCDs)

Makueni County is set to collaborate with PATH, a global primary healthcare organization, with support from the American biopharmaceutical giant Amgen, to combat the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity.

This partnership will focus on breaking down barriers in screening, diagnosis, and care,particularly self-care within the county’s health system and communities.

The initiative follows a 2024 survey by PATH, which revealed alarming data: 98% of residents have limited knowledge about cardio-metabolic diseases (CMDs), and nearly 40% are at risk of being overweight or obese.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo stresses the urgency of addressing these findings, calling NCDs a “quiet pandemic” that demands immediate action.

CECM for Health, Paul Musila, welcomed the partnership, noting its timely arrival amid rising NCD cases in the region.

Carolyne Njuguna, PATH Kenya’s Director, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering both the health system and local communities through capacity-building and awareness campaigns focused on self-care and disease management.

Amgen’s Global Head, Sean Lybrand, praised the county’s leadership and emphasized the critical role of accessible NCD care in building a healthier society.

MAKUENI EMBRACES TELE-SURGERY IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PROXIMIE

Department of Health Services is exploring the use of advanced telepresence technology to revolutionize surgical procedures across its health facilities.

The technology will allow surgeries to be recorded in both video and audio formats, enabling real-time collaboration and continuous learning for medical teams.

As part of the initiative, sub-county hospitals are being prepared to adopt the new tele-surgery platform, marking a huge step toward modernizing healthcare delivery in the county.

In a move to further enhance maternal health, the initiative is also introducing the “Run for Her” campaign, which focuses on raising awareness about postpartum hemorrhage,one of the leading causes of maternal deaths.

The campaign seeks to strengthen health systems and safeguard the lives of mothers throughout the county.

A team from Proximie, a global leader in virtual surgical collaboration, held conversation with Makueni’s medical officers and hospital superintendents.

The discussions were led by Shannon Shibata Germanos, Proximie’s Head of Global Health, who demonstrated how the platform empowers healthcare professionals to learn faster, share expertise, and receive real-time surgical guidance,even in remote facilities.

According toHealth Services ECM Dr. Paul Musila, the technology will enable doctors to observe surgeries remotely, adopt modern techniques, and receive instant expert support.

He further said the integration of telepresence tools is expected to transform surgical care and improve patient outcomes across Makueni County.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM LAUNCHED IN MAKUENI

The Anita Mbinya Foundation, in partnership with Brighter Monday Kenya, has launched a new initiative dubbed Generation to Kazi, targeting young people aged between 18 and 35 years who have completed technical training lasting six months or one year.

The program which was unveiled at Mbuvo KMTC, aims to equip participants with essential soft and digital skills to enhance their employability and support their transition into entrepreneurship.

Anita Mutula, Makueni County First Lady and Executive Director of the Anita Mbinya Foundation, is urging youth across the county to take advantage of the training opportunities, which will be rolled out in vocational centres and County Technical Training Institutes (CTTIs) throughout Makueni.

The First Lady was flanked by Brighter Monday Kenya officials ,area MCA Kennedy Maneno, Devolution CECM Nickolas Nzioka,COs Felistus Mutune( Office of the Governor),Harvey Mulei(Health),Chief of Staff Mercy Kinyi among other county officials

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN WATER SECTOR GOVERNANCE

In an effort to entrench good governance in the water sector, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a partnership agreement with a consortium of non-state actors operating in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) space.

The partners to this agreement include:

• Centre for Social Planning and Administrative Development (CESPAD),

• Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET),

• Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), and

• Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA).

The partnership aims to:

• Jointly mobilize resources (technical and financial) to improve water service delivery, and;

• Strengthen and enhance coordination among stakeholders in implementing climate-resilient WASH programs.

Additionally, Governor Mutula hosted a delegation from the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), which is visiting Kenya to learn from regional best practices in community-led water development and governance.

MAKUENI MOVES TOWARDS GREEN FUTURE WITH ENERGY POLICY VALIDATION

The County Energy Directorate in collaboration with Strathmore University and the World Resources Institute, on Wednesday hosted a validation meeting for the draft Makueni Energy Policy.

The session brought together members of the County Executive Committee to review and strengthen the policy framework.

Anchored in the Energy Act 2019 and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the policy is set to guide the county in planning, regulating and rolling out sustainable energy initiatives.

Its goal is to ensure all residents have access to modern energy that is sustainable, affordable, reliable and secure.

Present at the validation meeting were CECMs Eng. Peter Mumo (Transport and Energy), Japheth Mang’oka (Lands), Eng. John Kieti (Water), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa and Chief Officer for Energy Eng. Naomi Nthambi.