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26 YOUTH IN MAKUENI SET TO LAUNCH BUSINESSES THROUGH “UJUZI TEKE TEKE” EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM

Twenty six young budding entrepreneurs from Kikumbulyu South ward are set to transform their futures after receiving startup tools under the Ujuzi Teke Teke skills program.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, equips trainees with hands-on mentorship from seasoned business owners (master craftsmen) before providing them with trade-specific kits to launch their own enterprises.

County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni presided over the tools distribution, hailing the program as a catalyst for local economic growth.

Tools provided include: barbering & salon kits, welding equipment, mechanical repair kits, tailoring kits and car wash machines.

302 GRADUATE FROM JOINT HOSPITALITY UPSCALING TRAINING IN MAKUENI

A total of 302 hospitality workers from Makueni and Machakos counties graduated on Friday after completing a two-week upscaling training program aimed at improving service delivery in the tourism sector.

The Tourism Fund-sponsored training equips workers with modern skills in customer service, food and beverage handling, housekeeping, hygiene, and sustainable tourism to meet evolving industry standards and enhance visitor experiences.

The graduation ceremony held at Wote Technical Training Institute was led by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism CECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani and attended by distinguished guests, including Scott University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Daniel Barante, Tourism Fund Trustee Mr. Patrick Ngere, and Machakos CECM Mr. John Kilonzo among other guests.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Sonia Nzilani said the initiative is a key step in building a skilled workforce. “By equipping frontline hospitality workers with skills, we are directly investing in the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry.”

GOVERNOR MUTULA SUBMITS GBV MEMO AS NATIONAL TASKFORCE HOLDS CONSULTATIONS IN WOTE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. today hosted the Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide at his office ahead of a high-level public participation forum at Wote Technical Training Institute.

During the meeting, Governor Mutula presented a detailed memorandum to the committee, outlining key recommendations and priority areas for addressing the rising cases of GBV and femicide in the region.

The visit is part of a nationwide series of consultative forums by the Technical Working Group on GBV and Femicide, which was appointed by President William Ruto in January 2025 to collect views from the public and stakeholders.

More than 300 participants from various sectors are attending the Wote forum to share their experiences, perspectives, and proposals aimed at combating the alarming surge in GBV and femicide cases across the country.

Today’s delegation was led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo, a member of the 34-member taskforce chaired by Dr. Nancy Baraza. The team is mandated to investigate the root causes of GBV and femicide and recommend actionable policy and legal interventions.

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.

MAKUENI COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL MAKES MEDICAL HISTORY WITH FIRST-EVER BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY

Makueni County Referral Hospital has successfully performed its first-ever brain tumor surgery, marking a major leap forward in the county’s healthcare capabilities.

The delicate procedure, which took more than six hours, involved the excision of a brain tumor and was led by Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr. Muthoka Mativo, with support from Dr. Angela Murunga.

Chief Officer for Health, Dr. Harvey Mulei, who witnessed the procedure, lauded the surgical team for their exceptional expertise, coordination, and commitment

The patient, 69-year-old male, had been battling persistent migrains and seizures when he sought help at the facility.

After a thorough diagnostic process, doctors recommended immediate surgical intervention, which was successfully performed in the hospital’s main theatre.

This historic achievement means that Makueni residents will no longer need to travel to distant cities for advanced neurosurgical procedures. Kenyatta National Hospital

OVER 30 NEW MOTHERS AT MAKUENI MOTHER AND CHIL HOSPITAL RECEIVE MOTHER’S DAY SURPRISE

More than 30 new mothers at Makueni Mother and Child Hospital on Monday received a pleasant surprise for Mother’s Day, marked on Sunday, when senior female leaders from the county’s Executive paid them a special visit.

Led by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, (CECMs) and Chief Officers distributed gift hampers containing postnatal care packages tailored for lactating mothers.

The gesture was part of efforts to honor and celebrate motherhood.

Mulili praised the critical role mothers play in families and society and urged them to prioritize medical care for infant teething and adopt modern reproductive health practices for better outcomes.

She was accompanied by CECMs Elizabeth Muli (ICT), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa, County Referral Hospital CEO Martha Munyao, and other senior county officials.

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.