Partnerships

OVER 3000 BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CAMP IN MAKUENI

More than 3000 residents received orthopedic,dental and cataract surgeries at Tawa Sub-County Hospital during a medical camp organized by the County Government of Makueni in collaboration with the Shrimad Rajchandra charitable organization.

The medical camp successfully addressed three complex orthopedic cases, performed 114 eye cataract surgeries, and conducted 70 dental procedures.

In addition to the surgeries, the camp provided vital health screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure, enhancing access to critical healthcare services for the community.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, Chief Officer for Health Services, encouraged locals to take full advantage of the camp’s offerings, including screenings for cervical and breast cancer as well as other medical conditions.

Dr. Ndolo also urged residents to enroll in the Makueni Care health insurance program (SHA) to ease the financial burden of hospital bills, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in accessing affordable healthcare.

The camp reflects the county’s ongoing efforts to improve health services and promote preventative care among its residents.

MAKUENI EXPLORES GREEN FINANCE TO FUND MEGA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Makueni County is exploring the financial markets to fund capital-intensive projects with huge development ripple effect.

With the help of Financial Sector Deepening- Kenya (FSD), an independent network that works to improve financial systems, the county is working with Price Waterhouse Cooper to develop bankable proposals for funding under the green finances program.

In a meeting with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, on Friday, to explore possible areas of funding, FSD top ranking officials led by Senior Green Finance Specialist Sarah Makena agreed to link the county with partners for funding of the development proposals.

Some of the targeted areas of development funding include: fruits processing and value addition; development of industrial parks; provision of green infrastructure and incentives to attract investors; Water harvesting and green energy development.

MAKUENI, FLONE UNVEIL ROADMAP FOR INCLUSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE COUNTY

The County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with Flone Initiative has launched a comprehensive roadmap to establish safe, sustainable and inclusive public transport systems in the county.

The initiative follows a baseline survey conducted earlier this year, which identified significant challenges faced by vulnerable groups, including Persons With Disabilities and women, in accessing public transport.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., alongside Flone Initiative Executive Director Naomi Mwaura, signed the agreement on Wednesday. Governor Mutula pledged to fast-track short-term interventions to promote equitable and accessible transport solutions across the county.

MAKUENI ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN MATERNAL HEALTH, RECORDS ZERO PPH DEATHS SINCE 2022

Makueni, once among the top ten counties with the highest maternal death rates, has made strides in maternal healthcare. Since 2022, no maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) have been reported in its public hospitals.

This achievement is attributed to innovative healthcare practices and the adoption of Heat-Stable Carbetocin, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended drug proven to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

The county has also embraced calibrated drapes, a specialized tool that helps measure blood loss during childbirth.

These clear drapes, placed on delivery beds, enable accurate monitoring, allowing medical personnel to respond swiftly to abnormal bleeding.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off 11,000 calibrated drapes for distribution to health facilities across the county, further bolstering this initiative.

The governor emphasized his commitment to ensuring that women in Makueni deliver safely and return home with healthy babies.

He hosted members of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, who visited the county to learn from its best practices in managing PPH.

The visiting delegation, mainly from Norway and Italy, is dedicated to mobilizing donor governments and strengthening collaborations to improve access to quality healthcare globally.

Makueni is among the first counties in Kenya to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating PPH, combining the use of Heat-Stable Carbetocin with calibrated drapes.

These efforts are part of the “Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PHHI)” program, a partnership between the county and Jhpiego. This initiative aims to drastically reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates associated with PPH.

ENI DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH K.SH 40 MILLION TO BOOST HEALTHCARE IN MAKUENI

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Friday received medical equipment worth K.sh 40 Million from ENI Kenya, a leading biofuels value chain investor in the country.

The equipment, handed over by ENI Kenya Managing Director Enrico Tavolini, includes a centrifuge and a fridge to support blood unit preservation at the Referral Hospital, neonatal equipment for the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, and nutritional supplements for pregnant women and babies, among other items.

Additionally, ENI has equipped the maternity wing at Kambi-Mawe Dispensary and is constructing an ablution block and a biodigester to enhance sanitation services at the facility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Mutula hailed the initiative, saying it would significantly improve healthcare services in the two facilities.

The partnership is expected to bolster healthcare delivery and align with Governor Mutula’s goal of providing quality and accessible medical services.

USAID LAUNCHES PROJECT IN MAKUENI COUNTY.

USAID has launched a local Food Systems project dubbed ‘Feed the Future’, a U.S Government Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.

The project will be implemented by a consortium of organisations led by Technoserve. Technoserve Chief of Party, Elizabeth Eckert made the announcement when a delegation from USAID Kenya and East Africa met Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office on Friday.

Eckert said the key areas to be covered in the project include nutrition, building up resilience for farmers and increasing profitability and diversity among small-scale traders.

The project will run for five years, until 2029.

Technoserve has already deployed staff to the county headquarters in Wote and said they hope the project will positively impact the lives of Makueni residents.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed the partnership and hailed USAID for choosing Makueni to be among 22 Counties involved in the project. He noted that USAID was also involved in other projects in Makueni notably in the water sector under its STAWI project. The governor encouraged the USAID to help address issues of malnutrition in the county affecting children below 2 years noting that the issue of food storage was critical in addressing food security.

Agriculture CECM, Joyce Mutua said the ‘Feed the Future Project’ would help residents as 47 per cent of households in Makueni were food insecure.

Others present were Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili, Trade CECM, Dr. Sonia Nzilani and Titus among others.

MAKUENI SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDFUND TO IMPROVE WELFARE OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Makueni has signed a working partnership with ChildFund and Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency (EDCA) to improve the welfare of vulnerable children in the county.

Under this five-year agreement, Makueni and the two Non-governmental institutions will fundraise to among others implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in schools and the community; support young people in vocational training; develop child friendly early childhood development centres as well as create safe spaces in the community where vulnerable children are protected and nurtured.

The overall goal, according to the MoU, is to connect children living in extreme poverty to resources, people and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and EDCA Chief Executive Officer Victor Aduda signed the partnership Tuesday morning.

COUNTY FIRST LADY LAUNCHES BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING INITIATIVE.

County First Lady Anita Mutula officially launched breast and cervical cancer screening initiative in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Wednesday.

Leading the effort to promote early detection and prevention, Anita is advocating for free screening services for both breast and cervical cancer, aiming to increase access to life-saving care for the community.

During her address, Anita noted the alarming statistics from the Makueni Referral Hospital’s Empower Clinic, where 70.2% of cancer patients are diagnosed at stage 4 and an additional 23.5% at stage 3.

She emphasized the need for routine screenings, stating that regular check-ups for both men and women are essential in addressing these rising cancer challenges and fostering a culture of early detection.

The First Lady also expressed concern about the high prevalence of prostate cancer found among men during a recent medical camp, calling attention to the need for focused awareness and intervention.

Since its establishment, the Empower Clinic has served over 1,000 patients, offering vital support and treatment.

At the launch, cancer survivors Rose Munini and Nicholas Musyoka shared their journey with breast and prostate cancer, respectively, expressing gratitude for the treatment received at the empower clinic, which has brought them into remission.

The First Lady was joined by key partners supporting the cancer clinic, including Savanna Informatics Global Health,Roche-Kenya, the National Cancer Institute, and several members of the County Assembly, Chief Officers Dr.Stephen Ndolo,Dr.Harvey Mulei,Felistus Mutune and other county staff.

MAKUENI DG LUCY MULILI, TOP UNICEF OFFICIALS VISIT PROJECTS IN WOTE

Visiting Unicef delegates on Friday accompanied Makueni Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili on a visit to Matheani Primary School to explore partnership opportunities between the County and the organisation.

The tour, which began with a visit to Unoa Primary School on Thursday, is focused on identifying how the County government and Unicef can work together to enhance Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) programs.

Key areas of potential collaboration include infrastructure development to improve learning facilities such as classrooms, sanitation and play areas and creating a more supportive environment for young learners. Also on the cards is the strengthening of teacher-training and capacity-building initiatives, equipping ECDE educators with modern techniques and resources aiming at boosting the quality of education for early learners.

Additionally, both parties are considering health and nutrition programs to support the overall well-being of children.

MAKUENI AND WFP LAUNCH MARKET ACCESS STRATEGY TO SUPPORT FARMERS

Makueni County Government in partnership with the UN World Food Program (WFP), has launched a market access strategy aimed at helping smallholder farmers connect with public markets.

The Makueni Smallholder Farmers Access to Public Institutions Markets Strategy, which will be implemented from 2024 to 2028, was officially launched on Friday by WFP Country Director Lauren Landis and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The strategy will allow smallholder farmers to access 30% of the AGPO reserve designated for local products to Public Institutions as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

Landis praised the county government for its commitment to supporting farmers with essential resources like seeds and fertilizers, emphasizing that increased food production in Makueni could significantly enhance both the local economy and nutritional outcomes.

The launch event that drew over 200 farmers from organized producer groups across Makueni saw Governor Kilonzo express strong support for the collaboration, stating that it would boost farmers’ confidence by ensuring markets for their produce. He also encouraged them to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming rainy season, crucial for the county’s agricultural success.

The event featured remarks from Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza, Daniel Ndolo and Dr. Jossylyn Mutua (Livestock, Devolution and Trade respectively), who contributed to discussions on the future of farming in Makueni.