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KATHONZWENI, KYANDUYA VTCS SCOOP TOP POSITIONS IN SOLO PERFORMANCES.

Makueni’s Vocational Training Centres lit up the stage at Meru School on Day 4 of the Kenya Music Festivals, with breathtaking solo performances that left a mark on the national stage. Representing the Eastern region, our stars didn’t just sing — they conquered!

Patricia Mbithe from Kathonzweni VTC and Teresia Maluni from Kyanduya VTC scooped position 1 in Solo Soprano and Solo Alto respectively, performing “Early One Morning” and “All Through the Night.”

Teresia Munini from Kyanduya VTC emerged position 2 in Solo Soprano, while her counterparts from Nduluku and Kathonzweni VTCs took position 2 and 3 respectively in Solo Alto — a proud moment for Makueni County’s VTCs on the national stage.

THE MAKUENI COUNTY CABINET ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED MUTULACARE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.

The scheme is a County-led Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative that will enhance access to quality healthcare for all residents in the County while protecting vulnerable and indigent households from financial hardships due to out of pocket medical expenses.

The scheme is aligned to the national Social Health Authority (SHA) framework. All registered SHA residents will have free access to health care in all Level 1 to 3 health facilities in the County.

Mutulacare will pay for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for indigent and vulnerable households to enable access to health care in Level 4 to 6 hospitals. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive heathcare including inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, chronic illness management and emergency treatment, including ambulance evacuations.

The scheme targets to cover over 50 per cent of Makueni residents. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) will be deployed by the county to identify and enroll indigent and vulnerable households into the SHA and SHIF medical insurance in all the 30 Wards.

Mutulacare is financed through the Ward Fund where each Ward allocated Ksh. 3 million.

The scheme will be operated through a live portal for real-time registration to SHA and which has already been developed.

The Guidelines will now be forwarded to the County Assembly for approval.

WEE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SCOOPS POSITION 5 IN THE ONGOING KENYA MUSIC FESTIVALS IN MERU COUNTY.

WEE School for the deaf scoops position 5 in the ongoing Kenya Music Festivals in Meru County.

The 97th Kenya Music Festival officially kicked off today at Kaaga Girls High School in Meru County, marking the beginning of a vibrant showcase of artistic talent from across the country. The national event brings together learners from ECDE to tertiary levels, all celebrating Kenya’s cultural diversity through music, dance, and drama.

WEE School for the Deaf in Makueni has already made a remarkable impression, securing position 5 in their category — a strong testament to inclusivity and creative excellence.

This year’s festival, which runs until 11th August 2025, is themed: “Enhancing the Creative Economy Through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development.”

As performances unfold across Kaaga Girls, Meru School, and Meru TTC, the atmosphere is alive with rhythm, color, and the boundless potential of Kenya’s next generation.

The Makueni County Government team is led by Chief Officer ICT, Education and Internship, Irene Makau, alongside the Assistant Director for ECDE and other departmental officers.

GROWING HOPE AT THE MAKUENI AGRI SHOW: ONE HARVEST, ONE LIFE AT A TIME

Arabuko Limited is a company which is a leading supplier of fresh farm produce to homes, institutions and businesses, that not only helps Kenyans eat healthier, but also building a stronger, more inclusive agricultural sector.

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Arabuko launched the Aggregator Enhancement Program (AEP) to support young small-scale farmers and aggregators across Kenya.

With the help of county youth department, Arabuko equips youth with skills, resources and market access that drive sustainable livelihoods in agriculture.

One inspiring story shared during the Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair is that of Felisters Katiku, a 24-year-old from Kambi Mawe. Though living with a physical disability, Felisters has become a shining example of strength and determination.

With support from Arabuko Limited and the County Government of Makueni, Felisters received training in modern farming, along with quality seedlings (kale, spinach, and managu), cone bags, farm tools and water tanks. Today, she is growing her own fresh vegetables and building a brighter future—one harvest at a time.

With hard work and the right support, Felisters turned her small vegetable garden into a success story. What started as a few seedlings has now grown into a steady source of food for her family. Even better, she sells the extra vegetables and earns some income.

Her garden is now more than just a farm; it’s a symbol of hope. Felisters’ determination is inspiring others in her community to believe that they too can grow, succeed and change their lives.

Felisters’ story is a proof that when the county government invests in its residents—especially youth and persons living with disabilities, the government unlock potential that transforms communities.

With focus on youth, similar partnerships by the county Government of Makueni County go beyond business into creating real jobs, real change and a healthier, more empowered county.

MAKUENI UNVEILS CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE INITIATIVES AT MAKINDU TRADE FAIR

Makueni County has reaffirmed its commitment to climate-smart agriculture as a key pillar for food security and economic growth.

The pledge was made on Friday during the official opening of the Makueni Agriculture Ambitions and Trade Fair at Makindu Showground, presided over by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.

Mulili outlined the county’s strategy under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration, which prioritizes the adoption of resilient technologies and practices such as drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting, conservation agriculture, and digital advisory services for farmers.

As part of its efforts, the county is partnering with the national government through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The project supports the application of technologies, innovations, and modern management practices across key agricultural value chains including dairy, poultry, beekeeping, mango, and tomato farming.

She highlighted how the program is enabling farmers to embrace modern, climate-resilient techniques, ranging from improved livestock breeds and disease management to post-harvest handling and market access through digital platforms.

To further consolidate these gains, the county has revamped its extension services to adopt a farmer-centered, proactive model.

Mulili also announced the rollout of a Financially Led Climate Action initiative, which equips farmers with practical knowledge and skills to implement climate-resilient practices tailored to their specific local conditions.

In a major boost to the region’s agri-processing capacity, the DG revealed that the Makindu grain processing plant is now operational and ready to handle pulses.

The facility aims to reduce post-harvest losses, promote value addition, and produce market-ready products for both domestic and export markets.

During the event, Lower Eastern ASK Chairperson Lawrence Matolo stated that discussions are underway to formally include the Makindu show in the Agricultural Society of Kenya’s annual calendar.

The event was also attended by County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, several Members of County Assembly, and senior county officials.

ZIMBABWE APRM DELEGATION TOURS MAKUENI TO LEARN FROM KENYA’S COUNTY GOVERNANCE MODEL.

A high-level delegation from Zimbabwe’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is in Makueni County for a benchmarking visit aimed at drawing valuable lessons from Kenya’s progress in governance, citizen engagement, and implementation of National Plan of Action (NPoA) recommendations.

The APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument established by the African Union to promote good governance and inclusive development. Through NEPAD/APRM in partnership with the Council of Governors, Kenya has domesticated the mechanism at the county level, birthing the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM).

The CPRM serves as a powerful tool for counties to assess their governance systems and service delivery performance. It enables documentation of key milestones, identification of challenges, and sharing of best practices—fostering accountability and peer learning across counties.

Zimbabwe’s visit seeks to gather insights from Kenya’s pioneering experience in the APRM review process. Makueni, in particular, stands out as one of the 12 counties that volunteered to participate in the inaugural CPRM rollout, showcasing notable reforms and innovations in governance.

The delegation is led by Ambassador James Manzou, Chair of the National Governing Council of APRM Zimbabwe. The team is expected to gather practical knowledge and policy learnings that will inform their own national and sub-national review frameworks.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed the delegation, reaffirming the county’s commitment to continuous improvement in governance and service delivery.

Chief officer Planning, Budget and Revenue Boniface Mutua noted the county’s initiatives, such as full automation and a cashless revenue collection system, as key innovations driving transparency and efficiency in local resource mobilization.

The team also commended Makueni’s robust public participation model, which actively involves citizens in shaping development priorities and decision-making processes.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ASSENTS TO MBOONI-KEE MUNICIPALITY CHARTER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has officially assented to the Mbooni-Kee Municipality Charter, following its approval by the County Assembly. This marks a significant milestone toward the municipality’s full operationalization, including the transfer of functions, budgetary allocations, and staffing.

The new municipality will oversee key functions such as infrastructure development, solid waste management, and development control—bringing services closer to the people for improved efficiency and accessibility.

Mbooni-Kee becomes Makueni’s third municipality, after Wote and Emali-Sultan Hamud.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, CECM for Lands Paul Musila, CECM for Education Japheth Mang’oka, CECM for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, and Chief Officer for Lands Jackson Daudi on Thursday morning.

HEALTH SERVICES ECM COMMENDS PROGRESS ON MBOONI SUB- COUNTY EMERGENCY FACILITY

Makueni ECM in charge of Health Services, Joyce Mutua, on Wednesday conducted an unannounced visit to Mbooni Sub-County Hospital to evaluate the facility’s service delivery and inspect progress on the construction of a new modern emergency and family hospital.

During the visit, the ECM interacted with patients seeking medical care and took note of ongoing operations within the hospital.

She expressed satisfaction with the pace of construction, noting that the upcoming facility—expected to be completed later this year—will significantly enhance emergency response capacity and improve overall healthcare services for residents of Mbooni and surrounding areas.

The visit also reaffirmed the department’s commitment to strengthening healthcare systems across the county.

She emphasized her dedication to supporting Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of accessible and quality healthcare for all Makueni residents.

FIRST LADY FULFILLS WATER PROMISE TO UNOA SCHOOL, LAUNCHES BOREHOLE DRILLING

When learners from Unoa Comprehensive Primary School return for the third term on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, they will walk into a school with free-flowing water for personal use, tree planting, and kitchen gardening.

This is thanks to a borehole drilled within the school compound by the Office of Kenya’s First Lady, Rachael Ruto. The borehole was a pledge made by Mrs. Ruto during the commemoration of the International Day of the African Child, held at the school on June 16, 2025.

The First Lady, who officially launched the drilling on Wednesday, noted that the project will significantly enhance sanitation, boost food security through kitchen gardening, and improve overall academic performance. The neighboring community is also set to benefit, with the initiative expected to ease water access for Wote residents.

During the launch, the First Lady was accompanied by Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula and other local leaders

COUNTY LAUNCHES FORUM TO COMBAT NEONATAL DEATHS AND DISPEL HARMFUL HEALTH MYTHS

Healthcare workers from Level 2 and 3 health facilities are gathering at the One Mother and Child Hospital for a sensitization forum aimed at reducing neonatal deaths in the county.

The forum also seeks to address and dispel harmful myths surrounding unsafe health practices, such as the dangerous tradition of gum cutting, in an effort to promote healthier health-seeking behaviors.

The five-day forum was officially inaugurated by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua.

As part of its commitment to improving maternal and child health, the Department is implementing a range of initiatives, including neonatal death audits, comprehensive capacity-building programs for healthcare workers, and the weekly Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system .

This is to track and address preventable deaths. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to foster change and reduce neonatal mortality rates across the county.