Partnerships

MAKUENI SETS GROUND FOR STRATEGIC YOUTH PARTNERSHIP WITH PASGR RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

Makueni County has kicked off talks with the Partnership for African Social & Governance Research (PASGR) to strengthen capacity among young people and anchor youth programmes in evidence-based governance.

PASGR, a non-state organization operating in 26 African countries, builds youth resilience by aligning youth initiatives with evolving governance systems through policy formulation, impact measurement, and mentorship.

On Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni led a delegation of youth officers in a meeting with senior PASGR officials at their Nairobi offices to forge a working partnership.

The county seeks to collaborate with PASGR in developing a comprehensive youth policy, a youth empowerment strategy, and integrating gender perspectives into food systems, gender-based education, and agribusiness, marking a decisive step toward a more informed and empowered generation in Makueni.

CHRISTAN AID’S INTEGRITY AND ACTION EARN A NOD FROM MULILI.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Wednesday commended Christian Aid for its continued partnership with Makueni County in advancing key development initiatives.

Mulili, who spoke during a partners’ dinner in Nairobi marking the launch of the organization’s East and Southern Africa multi-country cluster, recalled the swift support Christian Aid offered in 2023 to assist residents displaced by the El Niño-induced mudslides.

She emphasized the organization’s strong values of transparency, participation, and equity , qualities she said have earned Christian Aid a reputation as a trustworthy steward of the resources placed in its hands.

The organization’s new model aims to build a renewed foundation for global development, one that restores dignity and purpose, particularly in humanitarian interventions.

The dinner drew participation from the organization’s development partners, representatives of the national and county governments, clergy, and civil society groups.

NEW NGAAKAA HEALTH FACILITY SET TO OPEN ITS DOORS SOON.

Residents of Ngaakaa will soon benefit from a new state-of-the-art Level 3 health facility developed through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and World Vision.

The county is finalizing the equipping process ahead of the facility’s official opening. Once operational, the facility will offer a modern maternity wing, a fully equipped laboratory, an administration block, procedure rooms, a pharmacy and a records office.

The development also includes installation of solar power and integration of the Kiboko–Twaandu water project to ensure reliable access to clean water.

The project forms part of governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration’s broader push to strengthen healthcare through strategic collaborations.

For instance, Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital is in the final stages of completing a new maternity wing delivered with support from the Safaricom Foundation, while discussions to have a new maternity block have been finalized for Kibwezi East Sub-County Hospital where another maternity wing is expected to significantly uplift the facility.

These investments signal a continued commitment by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to expand quality healthcare access across Makueni County.

MAKUENI, TRADEMARK AFRICA RALLY MANGO OFFTAKERS FOR A FAIRER, STRONGER MARKET

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, in partnership with Trademark Africa, on Tuesday brought together mango offtakers for a strategic dialogue on building a more efficient and accountable market.

The forum sensitized agents on their role in shaping market behaviour, deepened their understanding of Horticultural Crop Directorate – HCD(AFA) and County Government mandates, and opened space to unpack challenges and fresh opportunities in the agency business.

While attending the forum, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo asked offtakers to uphold integrity and strengthen linkages that ensure farmers receive fair value for their produce.

During the forum, East Africa Market Development Associates CEO Eunice Ngina also highlighted the need for a win-win market model where both farmers and buyers grow through predictable standards, trust and better coordination.

The meeting now paves the way for an upcoming joint forum between farmers and offtakers to harmonize cost structures, curb post-harvest losses and uplift Makueni’s mango sector.

MAKUENI PURSUES PEACEFUL OUT-OF-COURT LAND RESOLUTIONS

Makueni County, through the Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Development, has kicked off plans to establish Alternative Justice System (AJS) structures to handle land disputes outside the courtroom.

In partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Digital Land Governance Programme, the department has concluded a two-day sensitization workshop for key stakeholders in the land sector.

The training brought together Sub-county development planning committees, land surveyors, county coordinator, national land commission, county land registry and land adjudicators as well as representatives from municipalities to deepen their understanding of the role of AJS in resolving land conflicts and unlocking resource potentials.

Participants were taken through Kenya’s AJS policy framework, its application within the county, and the use of the Land Information Management System.

The main goal of the training is to establish and strengthen AJS structures that can help resolve boundary disputes, land and resource conflicts, succession matters, and other cases more efficiently and peacefully.

SECURING MAKUENI’S FUTURE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS FOR A RESILIENT ECONOMY

Makueni is staging its third Development Partners Conference 2025, a strategic move aimed at rallying local and external actors around an integrated agenda that links donor support, private investment and knowledge to the county’s evolving development priorities.

Objectives of the conference include:

a) To reflect on the partnership journey in the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan 2023-2027;

b) To strengthen donor coordination and promote integrated programming to ensure resources are pooled, leveraged for the realization of equity, inclusion and social justice;

c) To identify, co-create and catalyze bankable, community-driven projects, leveraging innovative financing mechanisms to bridge existing funding gaps and scale up transformative initiatives.

JUST A FEW METERS FROM NGILUNI DISPENSARY, TSAVO TRUST HAS ONCE AGAIN MADE A REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN MAKUENI COUNTY.

The organization has constructed new staff quarters, upgraded the maternity wing, and donated essential medical equipment to enhance service delivery for mothers and infants.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the equipment on behalf of the county government and commended the organization’s continued collaboration, emphasizing that such partnerships play a vital role in promoting accessible and quality healthcare.

Tsavo Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Moller, acknowledged Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s leadership in creating an enabling environment for development partners to thrive and support community-centered initiatives.

The equipment delivered to Nthunguni Dispensary includes an incubator, baby warmers, maternity and delivery beds, and an oxygen machine, all aimed at improving maternal and neonatal care in the area.

MCA’s Francis Mulwa and Brian Nzioka{ Mtoto Andei and Masongaleni)were also present.

NGILUNI DISPENSARY GETS MAJOR BOOST IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH EQUIPMENT

Ngiluni Dispensary in Mtito Andei Ward has received a significant boost following a partnership between the Makueni County Government and Tsavo Trust.

The collaboration delivered essential hospital equipment, including a delivery bed, maternal bed, baby warmers, maternal incubators, a laundry machine, and an electric sterilizing unit, all aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare services.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the equipment on behalf of the county and lauded the partnership, noting that collaboration remains a key pillar in Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration.

Tsavo Trust’s leadership underscored the importance of accelerating healthcare development in remote areas and expressed commitment to strengthening future partnerships with the county.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua urged Mtito Andei residents to continue enrolling in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, emphasizing its role in reducing the cost of healthcare for families.

The event was also attended by Health Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei and Mtito Andei MCA Francis Mulwa.

EMALI TRAUMA CENTER LAUNCHED TO BOOST ROAD SAFETY ALONG MOMBASA HIGHWAY

Makueni has taken a major step in strengthening emergency response along the busy Mombasa Highway following the launch of a new Trauma Center in Emali, established through a partnership between the county government and St. John Ambulance.

The state-of-the-art facility, equipped with two fully fitted ambulances, will cater to accident victims along the 170-kilometer stretch of the highway passing through the county, one of Kenya’s busiest and most accident-prone routes.

During the launch, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili described the facility as a “game changer” for road safety and pledged the county’s commitment to deploy additional emergency response personnel to sustain its operations.

She further urged the national government to intensify efforts to curb drunk driving, citing it as a key contributor to road accidents in the region.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who presided over the event, lauded St. John Ambulance for the lifesaving initiative and revealed that the national government plans to construct a new trauma hospital in Emali to further enhance emergency medical care along the corridor.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua welcomed the development, noting that it will greatly reduce response time and improve survival rates for accident victims.

According to the chancellor of St. John Ambulance Brigade, Dr. Gome Lenga, the Emali Trauma Center is one of only two major trauma facilities along the Mombasa–Malaba corridor, the other being in Naivasha.

He added that the project will also focus on training and equipping members of the bodaboda sector with basic first aid skills to safely handle accident victims.

St. John Ambulance currently operates 14 trauma centers across the country, underscoring its growing role in improving Kenya’s emergency response network.

AVOCADO SUMMIT SPARKS NEW HOPE FOR FRUIT FARMERS

Agriculture remains a key pillar in Makueni, contributing about 27.7% to the County’s Gross Product. An estimated 70% of households engage in fruit farming, with mangoes leading the sector.

Though avocado currently accounts for a smaller share, its value and production have been steadily rising—making it a promising venture for farmers seeking growth.

It is against this backdrop that a two-day Avocado Summit is underway in Kikima Town, bringing together farmers from Mbooni, Kaiti and Kilome.

The summit, organized by the County Government in partnership with agricultural stakeholders, focuses on equipping farmers with practical knowledge on soil management, orchard establishment, farm nutrition, pest and disease control, flowering and pollination, fruit development, marketing and export standards.

Speaking during the event, Chief Officer for Agriculture, Japheth Kiminza, encouraged farmers to adopt high-quality Hass and Fuerte avocado varieties to boost yields and income.

The CO who was accompanied by East Africa Marketing Development Authority CEO Eunice Ngina and area MCA Alex Mulemba among other stakeholders reaffirmed the County’s commitment to supporting the value chain by supplying clean planting materials, promoting certified nurseries, offering grafting and spraying services, and linking farmers to reliable market outlets and exporters.

With avocado production in Makueni rising from 2,100 MTs in 2021 to 2,394 MTs in 2023, the summit signals a growing opportunity, one that promises better incomes, jobs and value addition for households across the county.