Partnerships

MAKUENI, VSF GERMANY JOIN HANDS TO TACKLE RABIES THREAT

Rabies remains a deadly but preventable disease that threatens both animals and people in Makueni County.

With rising cases linked to dog and cat bites, the county government has moved to strengthen control measures by teaming up with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (DZ) Germany (VSF Germany), an NGO with 25 years of experience in Kenya.

On Monday, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili accompanied by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with VSF’s David Owino, and was witnessed by County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa.

Under the agreement, the county will mobilize pet owners, provide extension services and coordinate vaccination logistics, while VSF Germany will inject technical expertise, supplies and €20,000 in financial support.

Mulili noted that the partnership was a big step in protecting families, farmers and livestock from the deadly threat of rabies. She further appreciated VSF Germany for walking with the county government in safeguarding the health and livelihoods of Makueni residents.

This partnership aims to guide joint efforts in rabies vaccination, awareness creation and broader One Health programs.

The awareness campaigns are expected to run through December 2025, laying a strong foundation for long-term animal and public health resilience in the county.

MAKUENI MANGO FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM 15,000 FRUIT FLY TRAPS

Makueni mango farmers have received a major boost in the fight against fruit fly infestation after Trademark Africa, with support from the European Union, donated 15,000 fruit fly pheromone traps to the county.

The consignment was officially received on Friday by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who noted that the intervention comes at the peak of mango production season and will help increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.

The traps, which contain pheromones that attract fruit flies to a biopesticide killing chamber, offer an environmentally friendly solution.

Unlike excessive pesticide use, which is harmful to human health and the environment, the traps provide safe and sustainable control of the destructive pest.

Speaking during the handover, Mulili, accompanied by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, appreciated the partnership with Trademark Africa in empowering farmers, creating jobs and driving Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of boosting agricultural productivity.

The event was also attended by Trademark Africa’s Program Manager for Business Competitiveness, Samuel Konzolo.

MAKUENI TO SHOWCASE CLIMATE-SMART INNOVATIONS.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr today met with a technical team to review preparations for the Timbuktoo Green Future Hackathon, where Makueni is one of five pilot counties selected to showcase climate-smart innovations. The October 2025 event, led by Konza Technopolis, UNDP, and partners, seeks to empower youth-driven solutions to climate change.

Launched in December 2024 by President William Ruto, the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub aims to support 10,000 African startups over the next decade, focusing on renewable energy, climate adaptation, and waste management. Makueni has formed a multi-sectoral team to coordinate participation.

Governor Kilonzo said the initiative will position Makueni as a hub for green innovation, with plans to mobilize startups, identify climate challenges, and incubate winning solutions.

MAKUENI MOVES TO SAFER, SMARTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy, in partnership with Flone Initiative, has embarked on drafting a Public Transport Policy aimed at creating a safe, professional and inclusive industry for all.

On Friday, county technical officers drawn from various departments converged in Wote for a consultative forum to shape safe, accessible and well-structured strategies that will inform the policy document.

Speaking during the forum, County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy, Eng. Peter Nyamai noted that the policy will help formalize the public transport system, encourage investment and align land use patterns with transport strategies.

He further highlighted that the policy will also promote social equity by prioritizing safe and accessible services for marginalized and vulnerable groups.

The initiative is supported by the German organization Heinrich Böll Stiftung through Flone Initiative, which advocates for safer and more inclusive transport systems.

This partnership marks a major step toward modernizing public transport in Makueni, ensuring it not only supports economic growth but also serves every member of the community with dignity and safety.

MAKUENI FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM SUBSIDIZED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Farmers in Makueni County are set to benefit from 6 metric tonnes of sunflower seed under the Edible Oil Crops Promotion Project (EOCPP) subsidy programme.

In a capacity building forum held on Wednesday by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development (DALFCD) in collaboration with the Agriculture and Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers were sensitized on plans to scale up sunflower farming across the county.

Through the initiative, AFA has allocated 6 tonnes of Kenya Fedha sunflower seeds, sourced from the Kenya Seed Company ltd, to be distributed to farmers at a subsidized rate. Under the model, farmers will buy one kilogram of seed at Ksh. 385 and get an additional kilogram free.

The programme aims to boost edible oil crop value chains, increase farmer incomes and promote local production of cooking oil in line with the county’s agricultural transformation agenda.

GOVERNOR MUTULA INSPECTS KATHEKA KAI WATER PAN REHABILITATION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday toured Kanthuni Sub-ward, Makueni, to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation of the Katheka Kai water pan, a key project set to transform water access in the area.

The 30,000m³ pan, now 95% complete, is a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and the Kenya Red Cross

Once fully operational, it will serve an estimated 3,000 residents and over 1,000 livestock, offering much-needed relief to the community.

The rehabilitation works have included extensive earthworks such as site and bush clearing, excavation of the pan, formation of a silt trap and the opening of 3,500 square meters of access roads to ensure communities can easily fetch water.

This intervention is part of the Kenya’s Drought Mitigation Programme, aimed at enhancing access to reliable water sources while building climate resilience for communities often affected by dry spells.

The governor noted that the project is a major step toward sustainable water security in Makueni, ensuring households and farmers can thrive even in the face of climate change.

KWA MAKAU BOREHOLE BRINGS WATER RELIEF TO MAVINDINI

Over 1,600 households in Katithi Sub-Location, Mavindini Ward, will now access clean water following the commissioning of the Kwa Makau Borehole water project by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. on Wednesday.

The Ksh. 10.2 million project, funded by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) under the Charity Water Mission, will serve 15 villages with water for domestic and institutional use.

Key works of the project included upgrading the solar system, building a 50m³ storage tank, laying 12.5km of pipeline, constructing six kiosks and two ablution blocks, and installing six PVC tanks.

Governor Mutula, while commissioning the project, accompanied by area MCA Jonathan Kimongo, urged residents to safeguard the water infrastructure against vandalism.

Additionally, three primary schools have benefited through dedicated water connections.

FAO PARTNERS WITH MAKUENI TO BOOST LIVESTOCK FEED PRODUCTION

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) intends to partner with Makueni County to roll out a five-year project aimed at transforming livestock feed production and creating opportunities for young people.

During a courtesy call to Deputy Governor H.E DG-Makueni Lucy Mulili on Tuesday, the FAO team introduced the initiative—CASHA (Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs)—which will run in 15 counties, including Makueni.

The project is set to benefit over 2,000 youth across the County by promoting sustainable fodder production, agribusiness and commercialization of livestock feeds.

Mulili welcomed the initiative, highlighting the critical role livestock plays in the livelihoods of Makueni households.

She noted that the project will enhance farmer incomes, create jobs for youth and women, and contribute to food and nutrition security in the county.

The program also integrates climate-smart practices to build resilience and ensure environmental sustainability.

MAKUENI YOUTH TO HACK THE FUTURE AT CLIMATE INNOVATION EVENT

Makueni County youths are gearing up to take center stage in the upcoming “Hack-a-GreenFuture” hackathon — a three-day, youth-led innovation challenge set for October 24–26, 2025 at Konza Technopolis.

The event organized in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme aims at harnessing the power of youth-driven technology and innovation to tackle climate resilience issues within the county and beyond.

Victor Apollo, Head of Solution Mapping and Timbuktoo Focal Point at Konza Technopolis, empasised on the transformative role of technology in addressing local challenges.

He spoke in Wote when he met top county officials.

County Secretary, Dr. Justin Kyambi affirmed the county government’s full support for youth initiatives and highlighted the broader scope of collaboration, including areas such as climate resilience, healthcare systems integration and intellectual property rights for innovations.

County Executive Committee Members, for Education and ICT, Japheth Mang’oka and Gender, Sebastian Kyoni also attended the meeting.

RELIEF FOR KASIKEU RESIDENTS AS LUMU BOREHOLE BRINGS SAFE WATER TO THOUSANDS

Over 2,000 residents of Lumu and Kalimbini in Kasikeu Ward now have access to safe and clean water, thanks to a partnership between the Makueni County Government and WHH.

For years, the residents endured severe water shortages due to the inadequacies of the Nolturesh water supply. Today, they enjoy reliable access to fresh water from the newly completed Lumu borehole, which now serves the community at the last mile.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, accompanied by Water ECM John Kieti, area MCA Reuben Nzai, and WHH officials, commissioned the project on Thursday. The borehole project features six kiosks fitted with digital meters to promote transparency in governance and reduce non-revenue water losses.

The initiative is part of a broader partnership between WHH and the County Government of Makueni to enhance water distribution from high-yielding sources, advancing the Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda championed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.