News

STAKEHOLDERS SHAPE NAVCDP 2026/2027 BUDGET PRIORITIES IN MAKUENI

National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) stakeholder participation forum to deliberate on the FY 2026/2027 and Medium-Term Budget plans.

The meeting aimed to collect views, recommendations, and priorities from various partners and community representatives to ensure the budget reflects the real needs of Makueni residents.

While addressing the forum, CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, emphasized the importance of teamwork and accountability in implementing agricultural projects that empower farmers and strengthen cooperatives across the county.

Ms. Muli reminded participants that the budgeting process should focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people and improving livelihoods.

The engagement, guided by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, underscored public participation as a key pillar in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in resource allocation.

Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyallo also attended the forum, commending stakeholders for their active involvement in shaping Makueni’s agricultural development agenda.

THINKWELL GLOBAL DEEPENS COLLABORATION WITH MAKUENI TO STRENGTHEN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

On Thursday,ThinkWell Global leadership team visited Makueni to explore ways of strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) delivery.

During the engagement with County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua, Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mbithi, and other senior health officials, the team discussed progress made under the Strategic Purchasing for Primary Health Care (SP4PHC) project, an initiative aimed at improving how health services are financed, managed, and delivered at the community level.

Mutua emphasized that partnerships like this are helping Makueni build a more responsive and sustainable health system.

The ThinkWell delegation also toured Kathonzweni Health Centre and Kiangini Dispensary, where they witnessed first-hand how local health workers are applying data-driven approaches to improve service delivery and patient outcomes.

Impressed by the county’s leadership and innovation in health governance, the team expressed optimism about scaling up the partnership to further advance universal health coverage in Makueni.

MAKUENI COUNTY, BAMBURI LEAD EYE SCREENING DRIVE TO BOOST ROAD SAFETY

Makueni County, in partnership with Bamburi Cement Ltd, has launched a major road safety campaign targeting over 2,000 long-distance truck drivers along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway.

Dubbed “Healthy Eyes, Safer Roads,” the week-long drive at SUPASTOP, Sultan Hamud, focuses on early detection of vision problems and health risks like hypertension, diabetes, and fatigue-key contributors to accidents along the Highway, where 70% of the county’s road crashes occur.

Led by medical teams from Kilome Nursing Hospital, the initiative offers free eye checks, prescription glasses, safety gear, and referrals. It also includes safe driving education.

The public-private effort, involving NTSA, Kenya Transporters Association, Superior Homes, and others, supports Makueni’s goal to cut accidents and shape better transport policy.

DIGITAL HEALTH PLATFORM BOOSTS KATHONZWENI HOSPITAL OWN SOURCE REVENUE TO KSH 1.7 MILLION

Kathonzweni Level 3 Hospital has recorded a major revenue breakthrough, hitting KSh 1.7 million in SHA claims last month, a sharp rise from the previous average of KSh 600,000 to 1.1 million.

The impressive jump follows the rollout of TIBERBU, a digital health claims system under Taifa Care.

Implemented by the Digital Health Authority, in partnership with the Makueni County Government, TIBERBU is transforming healthcare by digitising service delivery, enabling real-time SHA claims and reducing turnaround time for patient care.

During an inspection visit on Wednesday, CECM for Health Joyce Mutua commended the staff for team work and noted the system’s impact, in expediting patient care and ensuring timely claims from SHA.

She said SHA rembursements will be retained at the health facilities to improve hospital infrastructure, restocking essential supplies, and hire additional staff.

Mutua urged the community step up SHA registration, including schools who form the bulk of the hospital’s clients, to help sustain and expand access to quality healthcare services.

MAKUENI’S FIGHT AGAINST MATERNAL DEATHS EARNS GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Sunday addressed the World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, South Africa, where he showcased Makueni County’s incredible strides in combating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Makueni is the first county in Kenya to adopt the use of heat-stable carbetocin, a uterotonic drug that prevents PPH, through a partnership with Jhpiego since 2023.

Unlike oxytocin, which requires refrigeration to remain effective, heat-stable carbetocin retains its potency even in high temperatures, making it ideal for rural healthcare settings.

Thanks to this innovation, the county recorded zero maternal deaths from PPH in 2023 and 2024. Governor Mutula’s administration has further strengthened this effort by procuring calibrated drapes to accurately measure blood loss during delivery, replacing unreliable visual estimations.

In recognition of his efforts, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was declared a global champion in the fight against maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage.

He is accompanied by Chief Officer Health Dr. Harvey Mulei and Ag. Director preventive and Promotive Dr. Stephen Mwatha.

NEW MBOONI FAMILY HOSPITAL NEARS COMPLETION

Construction of the new Mbooni Family Hospital is 85% complete and on track for full completion by the end of October 2025.

The state-of-the-art facility, launched in May 2025, is set to boost healthcare services for residents of Mbooni and surrounding areas.

Once operational, the hospital will feature specialized neonatal and maternity wards, along with a range of clinical services, aiming to improve access to quality healthcare across the region.

During a recent site inspection, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua, urged the contractor to prioritize timely delivery without compromising quality.

She emphasized the hospital’s critical role in enhancing health service delivery for Makueni County. Mutua was accompanied by CECM for Finance, Damaris Kavoi.

DESTINATION MAKUENI GOES DIGITAL

‘Destination Makueni’ is an e-platform designed to make exploring the county simple, exciting, and stress-free.

Tourists and visitors are able to search for their favorite spots with ease—getting directions, distances, prices and extra details all in one place.

From hotels, tour operators, taxi services, cultural centers and scenic hills to game parks, the platform brings Makueni’s gems to your fingertips.

The platform has become one of the key highlights showcased at the ongoing MagicalKenya Tourism Expo 2025 in Nairobi, attracting wide attention.

While attending the expo, Trade and Tourism CECM Doc Sonia Nzilani urged visitors to explore the county’s unique beauty through the Destination Makueni platform.

With easy bookings and access to attractions, Destination Makueni is not only selling the county’s beauty but also boosting trade, creating jobs, and empowering local residents through tourism.

OVER 15,000 MAKUENI FARMERS RECEIVE CERTIFIED SEEDS AHEAD OF THE INCOMING LONG RAINS

More than 15,000 farmers in Makueni County have received certified maize and bean seeds from the county government under the 2024/2025 budget.

The distribution, concluded on Friday, targeted six wards;Wote-Nziu, Tulimani, Mbooni, Mukaa, Mbitini, and Kee, where residents had prioritized grain value chain development during public participation forums.

Speaking at the Wote-Nziu ward forum, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged farmers to prepare their land early and embrace dry planting in readiness for the October–December rains, which the forecast predicts will be below normal and poorly distributed. She stressed that early preparation will be key in maximizing harvests despite the expected erratic weather.

Area MCA Felix Mateso emphasized that best practices will ensure farmers reap maximum yields and strengthen food security in the county.

Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli also encouraged farmers to adhere to good agricultural practices as guided by extension officers, noting that quality seeds alone are not enough without proper farming methods.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture, is designed to boost food production by providing quality inputs suited to different agro-ecological zones and farmer preferences.

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.

MAKUENI SEALS DEAL WITH KEVEVAPI TO STRENGTHEN LIVESTOCK HEALTH AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Makueni County Government has signed a strategic partnership with the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) in a move set to revolutionize livestock health and boost the local economy.

The collaboration seeks to improve vaccine uptake in the county, which currently stands at a low 30 percent, with an ambitious target of reaching 70 percent. Through this deal, farmers will benefit from a more reliable, timely, and efficient supply of vaccines.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the fight against devastating livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Caprine Pleuropneumonia, Rabies, Brucellosis, and Rift Valley Fever.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili hailed the partnership as a major boost to livestock farming, which contributes 20 percent to Makueni’s GDP and sustains 65 percent of households.

Her remarks were echoed by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, who reaffirmed the county’s pledge to fully support the initiative and ensure long-term success.