Partnerships

SULTAN HAMUD HEALTH WORKERS PRAISED AS COUNTY NEARS COMMISSIONING OF NEW MATERNAL WING

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei on Friday commended healthcare workers at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for outstanding performance, after the facility successfully handled 168 deliveries in December last year despite having a maternity bed capacity of just 11.

The commendation came as the County prepares to commission a new 57-bed Mother and Child Wing at the hospital, a major investment expected to significantly expand access to quality maternal and child healthcare services in the region.

The new facility is being constructed through a partnership initiated by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., with support from the MPESAFoundation. Once completed, the wing will offer a wide range of services, including neonatal care, antenatal services, obstetric and gynecological care, as well as consultative services, among others.

The county health leadership made the remarks during a routine supervisory visit to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital, where they held a meeting with the health management technical team to assess service delivery and operational challenges.

Dr. Mulei attributed the rising number of deliveries at the facility to its strategic location, noting that the hospital serves not only residents of Makueni County but also patients from neighbouring Kajiado and Machakos counties.

Ag. Director for Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, emphasized the need for enhanced training on family-centred, point-of-care approaches in maternity services to strengthen collaboration and improve maternal health outcomes.

Mutua also commended the hospital for effectively integrating HIV services into routine care, observing that stigma among people living with HIV had significantly reduced as a result of the integrated approach.

The meeting was attended by members of the hospital’s Board of Management, led by Chairperson Major Leonard Kasyoka, who echoed the call for continued investment in infrastructure and capacity building to match the growing demand for services at the facility.

NEW NGAKAA DISPENSARY TO BE COMMISSIONED SOON.

Officials from World Vision Kenya on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to review the progress of ongoing water and health projects being implemented under the existing partnership.

During the meeting, the County team reported that the construction of Ngakaa Hospital in Kibwezi West, which is sponsored by World Vision, is 95 per cent complete and is expected to be commissioned soon to serve the local community.

The discussions also reviewed progress on the Kalawa Water Project, which is scheduled for launch in the near future.

Governor Mutula noted that the County Government is keen on leveraging technology to reduce non-revenue water and enhance accountability in water management.

The meeting further resolved to renew the partnership through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed in due course.

Governor Mutula expressed appreciation to World Vision Kenya for its continued support and collaboration in advancing water and health programmes within the county.

The World Vision Kenya delegation was led by its National Director, Mr. Gilbert Kamanga.

MAKUENI BETS BIG ON POULTRY FARMING

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Monday led the launch of the “Mifugo ni Mali project” at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Kwakathoka, marking a major boost for poultry farming in Makueni County.

The initiative, implemented in partnership with the KCB Foundation, is designed to strengthen poultry production through rigorous farmer training, coaching and mentoring, alongside regular farm inspections to ensure quality and sustainability.

At the launch, 17 farmers including women, youth and persons with disabilities, each received 300 vaccinated one-day-old chicks to kick-start and expand their enterprises.

The programme is anchored on an MOU between the County Government of Makueni and the KCB Foundation, under which the foundation supports the growth of small and medium enterprises through business development, with the aim of creating wealth and employment, particularly among women and young people.

Under the partnership, the county government will provide continuous extension services, veterinary support and access to existing cold chain and vaccine-handling infrastructure to participating farmers, strengthening production and disease control at the grassroots.

According to Mulili, Poultry farming remains the most widespread livestock enterprise in Makueni, with about 85 per cent of farmers rearing poultry. Mulili further notes that the County statistical abstract data validated in 2023 indicates that the poultry subsector was valued at KSh 3.77 billion in 2022, supported by an estimated 1.57 million birds.

This, she says, reflects a growth of 55 per cent since 2013, underscoring the sector’s rising contribution to household incomes and food and nutrition security.

The County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture Elizabeth Muli noted that the department has also been intensifying efforts to transform poultry production, including increasing the productivity of local chicken from an average of 45–60 eggs per hen per year to between 120 and 180 eggs.

According to Muli, More than 240 incubators are currently operational across the county, producing between 100 and 1,056 chicks per cycle, while 476 village-level vaccination service providers have been trained and equipped to strengthen disease control.

Through the collaboration with the KCB Foundation, the county aims to stimulate further growth in the poultry value chain, improve linkages in input supply and markets, and enhance incomes and livelihoods for farming households across Makueni.

KCB Human Resource Manager Kenya, Cleophas Ambira and the area MCA Elizabeth Mutinda graced the occasion.

MAKUENI BRINGS GOVERNMENT SERVICES CLOSER WITH HUDUMA MASHINANI PROGRAMME

Makueni County, in partnership with Huduma Kenya has launched the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme to bring essential government services closer to residents across all 30 wards.

The one-stop initiative will run until February 2026 and will offer ID applications, birth and death certificates, KRA and NTSA services, NSSF, SHA, DCI and HELB services, pension status checks, county revenue and land rates payments, police abstracts, and group registration services.

Speaking during the launch at Kikima Secondary School grounds during Jamhuri Day celebrations, Governor Mutula emphasized that the programme aims to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots.

The program benefited over 400 residents in the first day.

TIMBUKTOO ALUMNI ANNUAL GATHERING AT KONZA

Konza Technopolis, in partnership with timbuktoo Africa and UNDP Kenya, hosted the 2025 Timbuktoo Alumni Annual Gathering, marking one year since the launch of the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub. The event brought together over 50 Kenyan founders who have participated in timbuktoo programmes across the continent, celebrating the growing wave of climate-smart, youth-driven innovation in Africa.

The gathering was graced by the UNDP Administrator, Alexander De Croo, who emphasized the importance of innovation and partnerships in accelerating sustainable development, noting that Africa’s youthful talent and green solutions are key to shaping a more resilient and inclusive future.

INFLUENCERS RALLY BEHIND NEW POSTPARTUM CARE INTERVENTION

The Department of Health Services, in partnership with Jhpiego, on Monday convened a community influencers’ forum from across different wards under the Accelerating Measurable Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PPHI) project.

The forum provided a platform to promote the early adoption and scale-up Heat Stable Carbetocin, a newly recommended drug aimed at improving maternal health outcomes.

Participants reported notable progress in health-seeking behavior among women, with more expectant mothers choosing skilled birth attendance and postnatal care services in health facilities.

The meeting also observed a rise in the uptake of family planning services, a trend that is enabling families to make informed reproductive health decisions and strengthening ongoing efforts to promote safer motherhood.

BEEKEEPERS BOOST SKILLS IN ONGOING BEE PRODUCTS VALUE ADDITION TRAINING

A transformative Value Addition of Bee Products Course (VABPC) is currently underway in Makueni County, bringing together local beekeepers, and honey processors for an intensive week of practical learning.

The training, jointly implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Makueni County, is equipping participants with hands-on skills to elevate the quality, diversity, and marketability of bee products.

Throughout the week, trainees are engaging in sessions on food safety, legal compliance, and honey-based product development, including the preparation of comb, chunk, cream, and flavoured honey.

Practical lessons on propolis processing and beeswax product making—such as soaps, candles, starter combs, lip balms, and aloe vera or honey-infused creams—are taking centre stage as participants work in groups to refine their craftsmanship.

In addition to technical skills, the programme is strengthening business capacity through modules on budgeting, and debt and credit management.

Additionally, the training empowers participants with post-processing techniques, focusing on proper packaging, labelling and storage to help beekeepers access higher-value markets.

MAKUENI STEPS UP FIGHT AGAINST LIVESTOCK DISEASES

Livestock remains a backbone of livelihood, food security, and economic growth in Makueni, yet recurring zoonotic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, Anthrax, Rabies and brucellosis continue to pose serious risks.

To strengthen early detection and response, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, in partnership with INADES Formation Kenya (I.F.K) through the Brooke East Africa program, on Tuesday opened a two-day training workshop for County Veterinary Officers in Kathonzweni on livestock disease surveillance and reporting.

The workshop under the One Health – which is a collaborative, multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals, is a training on continuous monitoring, recording and sharing of any unusual livestock health events.

Attending the training, CECM Agriculture Elizabeth Muli, said the strengthened disease surveillance and reporting system will allow swift intervention on livestock health issues before they escalate into full-blown crises.

With Makueni’s climate variability and frequent droughts increasing disease risks, the program—supported by WHO, FAO, WOAH, UNEP and the One Health Expert Panel— aims to help veterinarians detect outbreaks early, trace infection sources, and protect both animals and people.

FORTIFIED FOODS FORUM PUTS PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST

Food fortification is the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to everyday foods to improve health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

With this in focus, fortifying food has emerged as one of the simplest and most effective ways to curb nutrition-related health risks.

On Friday, the Government of Makueni County in partnership with the Ministry of Health with support from the World Food Programme completed a three-day forum in Machakos to advance new strategies for public awareness on fortified foods.

The discussions that involved officers from Public Health and Agriculture departments focused on helping households, county government leadership and community stakeholders understand the value of consuming nutrient-enhanced foods, especially in preventing hidden hunger and boosting overall health.

During the forum, WFP also trained on sustainable approaches that Makueni can adopt to ensure long-term access and behaviour change on nutritious foods.

Additionally, the partnership aims to equip communities with knowledge that supports healthier, more resilient families.

MAKUENI COURTS ISRAELI AGENCIES ON POTENTIAL COLLABORATION AREAS

Makueni County is deepening efforts to secure strategic partnerships with the State of Israel.

On Thursday, Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gideon Behar, paid a courtesy call to Makueni, where he held discussions with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and senior county officials on areas of mutual interest -including water, agriculture, health, climate change, Education and energy.

Governor Mutula said the County is seeking to leverage Israel’s advanced technology and skills to bolster small-scale irrigation systems, a move he noted will help suppress the effects of climate change in the semi-arid region. Israel’s successful water-management and desert-agriculture models, he added, offer practical solutions that can be adapted to Makueni’s ecological realities.

The Governor emphasized that the envisioned partnership will prioritize capacity building and skills transfer, allowing local farmers, youth, and technical personnel to benefit from specialized training and exposure to modern practices.

Beyond water and irrigation, Makueni is also looking to collaborate with Israeli agencies in areas of food security, nutrition enhancement, smart agriculture, and knowledge transfer aimed at making agriculture more profitable and sustainable for local communities.

Ambassador Behar praised Makueni’s leadership, describing its development agenda as strategic and visionary, and reaffirmed Israel’s support for the county’s initiatives.