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Partnerships

ATHI-KALAWA WATER PROJECT UNDER REHABILITATION BY GOVERNMENT OF MAKUENI COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WORLD VISION-KENYA.

Athi-Kalawa water project under rehabilitation by Government of Makueni County in partnership with World Vision-Kenya. Rehabilitation works which include Intake at River Athi, booster station and modern treatment facility is 85 percent complete.

Once complete, this project will bring safe, reliable water to 80% of Kalawa Ward residents through the #LastMileWaterConnectivity spearheaded by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr

GREEN GRAMS OF HOPE: MASONGALENI FARMERS STEP INTO THE GLOBAL MARKET

In the heart of Makueni’s arid Masongaleni Ward, a quiet transformation is unfolding—one green gram at a time. Traditionally grown in semi-arid regions for their resilience and quick maturity, green grams have long served as a reliable crop for farmers in Makueni County. Now, they are becoming symbols of hope and prosperity.

A 100-acre green gram farm in Kikuumini, tended by four pioneering farmers, has become the centerpiece of an initiative targeting European export markets, with Italy as the primary destination.

The project is spearheaded by Grain Connect, an organization committed to bridging smallholder farmers with global markets through sustainable and high-quality production practices. Under the guidance of Grain Connect Director Alessio Colussi, these farmers have been selected to lead the way in producing export-grade green grams.

The initiative is not only aimed at increasing exports, but about empowering local farmers with better farming techniques, improved market access and fairer pricing.

The initiative grants special attention to the quality of the produce, particularly the grain’s sprouting ability, a trait that has piqued interest among European consumers.

During a visit by Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua on Wednesday, she reaffirmed the county’s commitment to agricultural development by announcing the establishment of a County Green Gram Aggregation Centre; A facility that will ensure the produce meets international hygiene and quality standards, preparing it for export.

“It’s important that we don’t just grow crops, but also grow opportunities,” said Mutua.

So far, 200 acres have been cultivated under the program in Masongaleni Ward, with expansion plans already in motion.

“This partnership is a gateway for our farmers to access global markets and improve their livelihoods.” added the CECM.

MAKUENI COUNTY, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD PARTNER TO EMPOWER YOUTH WITH SKILLS AND START-UP SUPPORT

The County Government of Makueni has partnered with Light for the World Kenya to equip youth with both soft and technical skills in a transformative training initiative.

The programme has already made a huge impact in Kibwezi West, where 18 out of 25 trainees successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship after completing a six-month training course.

The young entrepreneurs also received start-up grants to help launch and grow their businesses.

Building on this success, the County on Tuesday flagged off another cohort of 40 youth living with disabilities from Wote Municipality.

The training, launched by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, will see 20 participants begin immediately in the first phase, with sessions running through to December.

As part of the county’s broader inclusivity agenda, Mulili affirmed plans to allocate market spaces for persons with disabilities, enabling them to establish and operate their businesses sustainably.

HOSPITALITY LEADERS TRAINED ON KEY HOSPITALITY SKILLS

Managers and directors from the hospitality sector in Makueni and Machakos counties have on Thursday completed a two-day training program designed to enhance their skills and expertise in the industry.

The training, organized by the Makueni Tourism Directorate in collaboration with the Tourism Fund, covered financial management, human resource development and emerging trends in the workplace.

The training, facilitated by the Tourism Professional Association, brought together 29 participants from both counties who were awarded certificates of participation.

The event was graced by Makueni CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Sonia Nzilani, and was also attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SEEKS NYS PARTNERSHIP TO ACCELERATE COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday held talks with Kenya National Youth Service (NYS) Commandant, General James Tembur at the NYS Headquarters in Nairobi to initiate government-to-government collaboration to support infrastructure construction services in Makueni County.

NYS is a government training institution with proven expertise in road, building and dam construction, machine maintenance, borehole drilling and affordable machine hire.

This partnership aims at enhancing infrastructure development at reduced project costs.

The Governor was accompanied by CECMs Finance, Damaris Kavoi and Transport Eng. Peter Mumo. Also present was NYS Mechanical and Transport Branch Commanding Officer, Andrew Ekuss among others.

27 KIDNEY PATIENTS BENEFIT FROM VASCULAR ACCESS SURGERIES AT MAKUENI REFERRAL HOSPITAL.

Twenty-seven patients undergoing dialysis at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and other hospitals have successfully received arteriovenous fistula procedures, a critical form of vascular access that significantly improves the effectiveness and safety of dialysis.

The surgeries were conducted by a team of seven specialists from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), who have been stationed at the facility since Wednesday.

The team, led by Dr. Tom Omulo, is in Makueni courtesy of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., following a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, KNH, and the University of Nairobi.

Dr. Omulo explained that arteriovenous fistulas offer kidney failure patients a safer and more permanent access to dialysis compared to catheter insertions, which are more susceptible to infections, clotting, and disconnection.

The initiative has drawn patients from neighboring counties, including Kitui and Machakos.

According to Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chief Officer for Health, Administration, Human Resource and Management, the county is exploring further collaboration with KNH to train its healthcare workers in vascular access procedures to enhance local capacity.

MAKUENI INCHES CLOSER TO FINALIZING COUNTY ENERGY POLICY

Makueni County, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy, is one step away from finalizing its energy policy— a framework designed to promote clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to support socio-economic development across the county.

The policy has been developed in partnership with Strathmore University, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and UK-PACT.

On Thursday 8th May 2025, the draft policy underwent validation by all relevant County Directors to ensure alignment with the county’s overall development agenda. The forum was chaired by Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi and attended by Environment Chief Officer Dr. Geoffrey Muthoka.

The draft will next be reviewed by the Chief Officers, County Executive Committee, County Assembly and Community before its official launch.

MAKUENI COUNTY, TRADEMARK AFRICA INK MOU TO ESTABLISH EXPORT SUPPLY HUB

Makueni County Government has taken a major step towards transforming its horticultural sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to establish an Export Supply Hub (ESH).

The deal, signed on Monday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, aims at reducing post-harvest losses, boost international market access and strengthen the region’s position as a top exporter of mangoes, avocados and French beans.

Makueni, one of Kenya’s leading mango producers, harvests approximately 245,000 metric tonnes of the fruit annually, with more than 40% going to waste due to inadequate market access. The newly signed partnership aims to change that by tapping into lucrative global markets, particularly in the European Union (EU).

The ESH, supported under the EU-funded Business Environment and Export Enhancing Programme (EU-BEEEP) and implemented by TMA, will serve as a centralized facility for aggregation, cold storage, processing and packaging. It will also feature digital systems to track produce origin and enhance buyer confidence through full traceability.

Speaking at the event, Governor Kilonzo said the Hub will be a game-changer for farmers and exporters in Makueni and neighboring counties including Machakos, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta.

“The Export Supply Hub will not only reduce losses but also create a sustainable ecosystem that meets international sanitary and phytosanitary standards,” noted the governor.

The facility, which will sit on land provided by the County Government, will integrate a cargo system linked to the Standard Gauge Railway for efficient and sustainable shipments. Aggregation centers across the Makueni and in the region will ensure a steady flow of produce to the Hub, while on-site inspection and certification services will help meet stringent export requirements.

TMA Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, lauded the initiative as a strategic step toward enhancing Kenya’s export readiness.

“This Hub is about much more than market access, but also building resilience, sustainability and competitiveness for our smallholder farmers,” she said.

As part of the agreement signed, farmers will be equipped with the skills and training needed to

meet export market demands through improved production and value addition.

The exercise was also attended by CECM Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Ms. Joyce Mutua, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Japheth Kiminza, County Solicitor Ms. Jennifer Kyumwa and East Africa Market Development Associates representative Subira Mukami and Eunice Ngina.

MAKUENI AMONG FOUR COUNTIES SELECTED FOR PILOT OF HOMEGROWN SCHOOL FEEDING RESEARCH PROJECT

Makueni County has been selected among four counties to pilot a new, three-year research initiative — the STEP (Sustainable, Inclusive, and Equitable Procurement in Home Grown School Feeding Programmes) Project — launched today at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi. The project, led by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in collaboration with partners like Tanager and Tegemeo Institute, aims at reimagining how school meals are sourced and delivered in Kenya.

The STEP initiative is designed not only to feed learners with nutritious, homegrown food, but also to build a sustainable and inclusive procurement model that can support local economies. Besides Makueni, the other counties selected for the pilot are Nairobi, Embu, and Isiolo.

In her remarks, Makueni CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, welcomed the opportunity, saying the County is fully committed to tackling child malnutrition and food insecurity through innovative and evidence-based approaches. “We look forward to learning and co-creating a system that uplifts both the nutritional status of our children and the economic resilience of our farmers,” she said.

The first six months of the STEP project will focus on applied research—conducting context analysis, assessing current school feeding procurement systems, and understanding policy gaps. Based on the findings, a model procurement system for sourcing food locally will be designed. This working model will then be piloted in two selected sites—either a single school or a cluster of schools—within each participating county.

The pilot phase will provide vital lessons on best practices, challenges, and scalability. These insights will be used to refine and package a scalable model that could eventually be rolled out nationally, helping Kenya meet its goal of universal school meal coverage for 10 million learners by 2030.

The project also emphasizes gender inclusivity, agro-ecological practices, and stronger value chains—aiming to improve farmer incomes, support smallholder producer groups, and foster gender-equitable procurement systems.

With Makueni’s prior investment in ECDE nutrition and its vulnerability to food insecurity, the county is strategically positioned to pioneer this groundbreaking model. Through STEP, school meals may soon become more than nourishment—they could become an engine for local development and systemic transformation.

Officials from Makueni County present at the launch included CECM for Health Paul Musila, Chief Officer for ICT, Education and Internship Irene Makau, Chief Officer for Livestock Dr. Victoria Kyalo, and Director, Department of ICT, Education and Internship Damaris Makau, among other County officials.

BOOST FOR CHILD HEALTH

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and Health Services CECM Dr. Paul Musila on Thursday flagged off a consignment of nutrition supplies at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The four-month supply, donated by Helen Keller International, will be distributed across 121 health facilities in the county that manage cases of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) among children.

Currently, the County is caring for 950 children under the age of five diagnosed with Moderate Acute Malnutrition, a condition that, if left untreated, can have long-lasting effects on a child’s growth and development.

Speaking during the flag-off, Mulili emphasized the importance of the intervention, noting that the nutrition commodities will go a long way in restoring the health and vitality of affected children.

Dr. Musila lauded the partnership with Helen Keller International, stressing the county’s commitment to ensuring every child has a chance to thrive.