Sports

GOVERNOR MUTULA POWERS KIKIMA SPORTS FESTIVAL

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Friday energized post–Jamhuri Day celebrations after officially commissioning an electrifying soccer and volleyball showdown at Kikima Secondary School grounds.

Addressing hundreds of enthusiastic youth and sports fans, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to elevating sports across the county.

Mutula praised the region’s growing talent pool and assured young people that increased investment in sporting facilities, training opportunities, and competitions remains a top priority.

Also present was Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, as thrilling local matches kicked off moments after the commissioning—transforming Kikima into a lively arena of cheers, colour, and community spirit, reaffirming the county’s commitment to nurturing talent and uniting communities through sport.

FOUR MAKUENI PARAVOLLEYBALL PLAYERS MAKE NATIONAL TEAM

Four athletes from Makueni County have earned spots on Kenya’s national paravolleyball team that will represent the country at the 2026 International Paravolleyball Championship in China.

The four – Purity Mueni, Florence Manza, Caroline Mueni, and Everline Mutuku—were selected to join the 12-member national squad after delivering standout performances during the national trials held in Wote, Makueni, from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th December 2025.

Makueni County Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi congratulated the athletes, describing their achievement as a result of the county’s substantial investment in sports, particularly under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. He noted that the administration’s commitment to talent development and inclusion continues to create opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

MAKUENI EMERGES THIRD IN NATIONAL PARAVOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Makueni County’s men’s and women’s paravolleyball teams clinched second runners-up positions at the just-concluded National Paravolleyball Trials and Team Selection Tournament held in Wote, Makueni.

The three-day event, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, aiming at selecting Kenya’s squad for the 2026 International Paravolleyball Championship in China, attracted top teams from across the country. Siaya County secured the men’s championship title, while Bungoma County lifted the women’s trophy.

Makueni teams displayed impressive resilience, advancing to the semifinals where the men fell to Uasin Gishu and the women lost to Nairobi. However, both teams bounced back strongly in the playoffs, the men defeating Nairobi, and the women edging out Uasin Gishu, to secure their respective third-place trophies.

Makueni County Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi hailed the achievement as a testimony to the county’s strategic investments in disability sports, emphasizing the value of talent identification and nurturing at the grassroots level. He expressed optimism that Makueni athletes will earn spots in the national team to be selected from the tournament

MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL PARAVOLLEYBALL TRIALS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Makueni County is hosting the national Paravolley (sitting volleyball) trials at Makueni Girls High School in Wote, bringing together teams from across the country for the three-day event.

Twelve counties—Makueni, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Vihiga, Migori, Kisumu, Nairobi and Bungoma—are participating in the tournament, which will be used to select Kenya’s national team for the 2026 international paravolleyball championships in China.

In the opening match, Makueni’s men’s team dominated Mombasa with a 3–0 victory, boosting hopes of reaching the finals and contributing a strong contingent to the national squad.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who officially opened the tournament on Thursday, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to promoting sports for persons with disabilities as part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s inclusivity agenda.

Makueni Disability Network chairperson Justus Katumo welcomed the initiative, noting that the event provides an important platform to empower persons with disabilities, many of whom possess exceptional sporting talent and professional abilities.

KAKUSWI TO HOST 3,000-SEATER MODERN SPORTS COMPLEX

Sports lovers and athletes from Mbooni Sub-county are looking at better days ahead, with a state-of-the-art sports complex set to be constructed at Kakuswi Playground.

The 3,000-seater facility, to be developed through a partnership between the Government of Makueni County and the Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Charitable Trust, will feature a football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, and a minimum six-lane running track.

On Monday morning, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted a delegation from the Trust, led by Chief Executive Officer Rahul Parekh, for a review of the complex designs and the signing of a memorandum of understanding for its development and maintenance.

As part of the agreement, the Trust will provide KSh 500,000 annually for maintenance for the first three years, and KSh 300,000 thereafter. An existing borehole, which yields 60,000 litres of water per hour, will supply water to the complex and the surrounding community, with the Trust supporting the distribution infrastructure.

Governor Mutula, who was accompanied by Sports CEC Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi, termed the partnership a major milestone in sports development in Makueni—one of his key development pillars.

MAKUENI PARAVOLLEYBALL TEAM ROARS IN KITUI ON MASHUJAA DAY

As part of the #MashujaaDay2025 celebrations, the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Arts, and Sports invited the Makueni Paravolleyball Team to Kitui for a friendly match against their Kitui counterparts.

The Makueni team triumphed with an emphatic 3–0 sets victory, earning a cash award of KES 500,000. This outstanding performance underscores the county’s growing sporting prowess, powered by strong grassroots governance and talent development structures, a key pillar of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr administration.

We proudly celebrate the Makueni Paravolleyball Team as true #Mashujaa

KILOME CBO LEADS ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN WITH CHARITY RUN

On Saturday, 18th October 2025, The Kilome We Want, a community-based organisation in Kilome Sub-county, held a charity run to advocate against rampant drug and substance abuse in the area.

In partnership with the County Government of Makueni, the CBO sensitised the community on the harmful effects of drug abuse and the need to strengthen campaigns against the vice.

The event, graced by the Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, also served as an outreach platform for National ID and voter registration by the IEBC. This initiative aims to mobilise residents to register and exercise their democratic rights for the sake of posterity.

LIGI MASHINANI WARD SPORTS ELECTIONS KICK OFF IN MAKUENI COUNTY

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has officially launched the Ward Sports Councils’ elections in Muvau/Kikumini Ward, Makueni County, as part of the Ligi Mashinani Programme.

The initiative aims to establish inclusive and democratic sports governance structures at the grassroots level.

The elections, held from sub-ward to ward level, brought together local sports stakeholders to elect officials for key committee positions including Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and representatives for gender, disability, referees, coaches, and athletes.

The exercise was praised for its competitiveness and inclusivity, and will be replicated across all wards in Makueni County over the next two weeks. County Executive Committee Member for Sports, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, lauded the participants for their dedication and reaffirmed the county administration’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports.

Newly elected committees will oversee sports development, talent nurturing, and athlete representation. Outgoing council members received letters of appreciation from Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr for their contributions to grassroots sports growth.

MBITINI PARISH HOSTS RECREATION SPORTS DAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT

On August 7, Mbitini Catholic Parish hosted a vibrant Sports Day at Mulala Girls’ grounds in Emali-Mulala Ward, in collaboration with the Makueni County Government’s Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.

The event brought together CWA members, local youth, women, and church leaders for a day of unity, health, and empowerment through sports.

Graced by the Executive Committee Member for Sports, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and the parish priest, the day featured football, volleyball, and netball matches with teams drawn from various parish outstations.

Eng. Kyoni commended the parish for championing community-based sports and reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to inclusive sports development across all demographics.

MAKUENI HOSTS STREET CHILDREN FOOTBALL COMPETITION AHEAD OF DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD CELEBRATIONS

Makueni County on Saturday held a special football tournament for street children at Emali, aiming to connect with them and understand their background, needs, skills and areas of intervention towards their life and livelihood improvement.

Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who flagged off the tournament, stated that the competition serves as a mobilization tool to help get children off the streets.

With support from Social Development and Children Officers, the department will engage with the children to create individualized care plans, including family reintegration where possible.

Children without family support will be rehabilitated at the Makueni Children Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

The event was also part of activities leading up to the Day of the African Child to be held on Monday 16th June at Unoa Grounds in Wote.

Makueni is set to host the national celebrations for the Day of the African Child, highlighting efforts to protect and uplift vulnerable children.

According to Kyoni, the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr vision of social inclusion, promoting equity and equality for all Makueni residents.