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MAKUENI BLOOD CENTER GETS MAJOR BOOST THROUGH ENI KENYA PARTNERSHIP.

The Makueni Blood Satellite Center has received a significant upgrade following a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and ENI Kenya, aimed at strengthening blood collection, processing, and storage capacity under the company’s corporate social responsibility program.

The new equipment delivered to the Makueni County Referral Hospital includes a Blood Bank Refrigerator, which maintains blood at optimal temperatures to prevent spoilage and wastage; a Refrigerated Centrifuge, which separates blood into vital components such as plasma and platelets for specialized treatment; and a Blood Plasma Deep Freezer, which ensures the long-term preservation of plasma for use during emergencies and routine medical procedures.

According to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the installation of the advanced equipment will greatly enhance the center’s capacity to store, prepare, and process various blood components, including platelet concentrate, fresh frozen plasma, and cryoprecipitate.

The development will also enable the preservation of blood and its components for up to two years, guaranteeing patients access to safe and reliable blood supplies both within the county and across the country.

The governor emphasized that the upgraded facility will be a lifeline for patients battling cancer, anaemia, and trauma-related injuries, as well as maternity cases requiring urgent transfusions.

ENI Kenya Managing Director Daniella Morra noted that the initiative reflects the company’s continued commitment to strengthening community health systems and improving access to quality healthcare services in Kenya.

The new investment positions Makueni as a regional hub for efficient blood management and marks a vital step in saving lives through improved healthcare infrastructure.

GOVERNOR MUTULA FLAGS OFF NUTRITION SUPPLIES TO COMBAT MALNUTRITION IN MAKUENI.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday flagged off 623 bales of fortified blended flour to benefit children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adults battling malnutrition across the county’s six sub-counties, marking yet another milestone in the county’s quest for a well-nourished population.

Speaking during the flag-off on Tuesday, Governor Mutula underscored nutrition as a cornerstone of human capital development, emphasizing his administration’s unwavering commitment to improving health and nutrition outcomes for all residents.

To strengthen the county’s fight against malnutrition, Makueni has partnered with key organizations including Helen Keller International, Vitamin Angels, and ENI Kenya.

Helen Keller International has donated 800 cartons, each containing 150 sachets of Ready-to-Use Supplementary Feed (RUSF), targeting children aged 6 to 59 months suffering from moderate acute malnutrition.

The supplements will be distributed to 121 health facilities designated for managing acute malnutrition.

The organization has also provided weighing scales to aid in nutritional assessment.

ENI Kenya contributed over 28,000 sachets of fortified blended flour for children in the same age bracket and an additional 6,000 sachets for pregnant and lactating mothers.

The nutrition commodities have been delivered to 81 health facilities across all sub-counties, ensuring last-mile delivery and equitable access.

Meanwhile, Vitamin Angels has donated 200,000 doses of dewormers for school-going children, reinforcing efforts to improve child health and reduce nutrient loss caused by parasitic infections.

GROWING SEASON STARTS STRONG

With the rains already setting in, timely fertilizer is more crucial than ever for farmers preparing their fields.

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development has begun delivering subsidized fertilizer to satellite depots, providing farmers with timely support as the planting season gets underway.

This follows an MoU between the County Government and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) to ensure fertilizer reaches farmers closer to their homes.

The distribution is based on local demand and crop acreage to ensure every farming area receives what is needed for the October–November–December season.

This program is prioritizing the distribution of planting fertilizer in the first weeks of November, with Agricultural Extension Officers already on the ground offering guidance to farmers on proper application to boost yields and improve soil health.

Once planting ends, the county will request additional top-dressing fertilizers to strengthen crops through the growth phase.

During the first phase of delivery, fertilizer has already begun reaching Nunguni, Mukuyuni, Kikima and Kasikeu depots, with more scheduled to follow across the county, as farmers are encouraged to visit their nearest depot for guidance and collection

MAKUENI UPSCALES NEONATAL CARE SERVICES WITH THE COMMISSIONING OF A MODERN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

In a major stride toward reducing neonatal deaths, the County Government of Makueni has unveiled a fully equipped Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Mother and Child Hospital, developed in partnership with ENI Kenya.

The modern facility is outfitted with cutting-edge medical equipment, including incubators, syringe pumps, blood pressure monitors, suction machines, photo boxes, pulse oximeters, radiant baby warmers, glucometers, stethoscopes, medication trolleys, baby cots, vital signs monitors, bilirubinometers, hygrometers, non-invasive ventilators, cardiac monitors, and CPAP machines.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who presided over the launch, lauded the partnership as a key milestone in improving maternal and child health outcomes.

He noted that the newly installed technology would greatly enhance the quality and efficiency of newborn care, emphasizing that the healthcare team has already undergone specialized training fully sponsored by ENI Kenya on neonatal intensive care and use of the advanced machines.

ENI Kenya Managing Director Daniella Morra commended the collaboration with Makueni County, affirming the company’s commitment to supporting healthcare advancement in the region.

The establishment of the NICU marks a significant milestone in Makueni’s journey toward accessible, high-quality healthcare for all, reaffirming the county’s leadership in innovative public health initiatives.

THE ADVENTUROUS BLACK HILL.

Chaimu Hill, rising boldly within Tsavo West National Park, is a striking standalone mound formed long ago from volcanic eruptions. It’s made of hardened lava rocks and ash, giving it its unique black colour.

Its smooth, steep sides and bare surface make it an unmistakable landmark visible from great distances, almost as if it calls out to every traveller who passes nearby.

Its name, Chaimu, comes from the local word ‘aimu,’ meaning spirits. For generations, the Angulya community held the hill as sacred ground.

They believed it was a place where ancestral spirits revealed divine guidance.

Its barren nature, unable to support plant life, was seen as a sign of spiritual presence. The hill also served as a watchtower, offering clear views to spot approaching visitors or enemies.

Although the community later moved due to wildlife conservation, Chaimu remains alive with meaning.

Today, Chaimu is one of Makueni’s unique tourist attractions. Visitors come to hike its dramatic slopes, enjoy quiet moments of reflection and experience the blend of science, cultural heritage and open-air adventure that the hill naturally offers.

NEW MATERNITY BLOCK BRINGS RELIEF TO KAMBI MAWE MOTHERS

Residents of Kambi Mawe and its surrounding areas have a new reason to celebrate following the completion and commissioning of a modern maternity block by the Makueni County Government.

For years, expectant women in the area endured long journeys to Wote in search of maternity services.

That struggle has now come to an end after Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr officially opened the new facility on Tuesday, marking a major milestone in improving maternal health care in the region.

The project was implemented in partnership with ENI Kenya, which supported the county through its corporate social responsibility initiative.

The company donated essential maternity equipment, constructed an ablution block, and installed a septic tank to enhance sanitation and functionality within the facility.

ENI Kenya Managing Director Daniella Morra emphasized the organization’s continued collaboration with Makueni, affirming their commitment to support more community-centered projects when the need arises.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. reiterated his administration’s determination to deliver quality and accessible healthcare across Makueni, noting that improved health infrastructure remains at the heart of his development agenda.

COUNTY ASSEMBLY RALLIES SUPPORT FOR MAKUENI EMPOWERMENT FUND

The Makueni County Assembly, through the Gender and Public Accounts Committees, has voiced its support for the Makueni County Empowerment Fund Digital Lending System, alongside the reviewed guidelines, regulations, and strategic plan for the fund’s implementation.

During a sensitization forum for the two committees on the digital fund and its accompanying regulations, the MCAs lauded the initiative as a true social protection program aimed at providing an economic lifeline to ultra-poor and vulnerable households. The fund seeks to enable them to access affordable credit and gradually transition into higher income brackets, ultimately empowering beneficiaries to qualify for production capital from conventional financial institutions and money markets.

Through the newly developed digital lending platform, the county aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in fund management while ensuring easy access for citizens across all wards. The MCAs will play a key role in providing oversight during the implementation of the fund.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who led the session, reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to using innovation as a tool for inclusive growth, noting that the Fund will “unlock the potential of our people and help them move from survival to prosperity.”

FROM STREET POET TO AGRIPRENEUR:

Assumpta’s Journey of Hope.

At just 30 years old, Assumpta Mwikali from Mavindini Ward, Makueni County, is rewriting her life story.

Once a street poet and spoken word artist in Nairobi—earning coins from small performances to survive—Assumpta today stands out as a thriving agripreneur whose work is transforming not only her own life but also that of other young people in her community.

Her turning point came when life in the city proved unsustainable, pushing her to return home. Spotted by a Ward Agricultural Officer, she was encouraged to attend a World Food Programme (WFP) training in Naivasha.

That marked the beginning of a new chapter. Soon after, with support from Makueni’s Department of Agriculture, she joined the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) at Kwa Kathoka to study horticulture production.

Out of this training, she founded Young Farmer Solutions, a youth-led initiative focusing on agroecology, soil health, climate change mitigation and food sovereignty. Her skills caught the attention of Africa Harvest, which contracted her to farm green grams.

The income from that venture enabled her to set up a modern nursery that now produces high-quality seedlings.

Nursery Innovation for a Changing Climate:

Assumpta’s nursery stands out because of its innovative use of soilless media such as vermiculite and cocopeat. This technology produces strong, disease-free seedlings with deep roots that adapt quickly to new environments.

For farmers in arid and semi-arid regions like Makueni, this means seedlings that require less water, grow faster and withstand harsh conditions—boosting food security while helping farmers save on costs.

Through this model, she is not just producing seedlings but also training youths, schools and organizations on climate-smart agriculture.

By demonstrating that agribusiness can be dignified, modern and profitable, she is inspiring a new generation in Mavindini Ward to view farming as a career of choice.

A Community Model of Growth:

Her work goes beyond farming. Assumpta actively participates in Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), a community-based saving model where members make weekly contributions to a shared fund.

This initiative is empowering rural communities to access capital for small businesses without relying on external loans, reducing economic dependence and fostering self-reliance.

Farmer Service Centres – A Bigger Picture:

Assumpta’s story reflects the power of the Farmer Service Centre (FSC) model, a county initiative that identifies gaps in agribusiness, creates demand, links farmers to markets and offers training across various value chains.

She is one of 30 graduates across Makueni County, each pursuing different agricultural enterprises—from livestock, poultry, apiary to fruit processing—underlining the county’s efforts to create youth-led, sustainable farming enterprises.

During a recent tour of her nursery, Makueni CECM for Agriculture, Liz Muli, praised her efforts and encouraged more young people to take up agribusiness.

Speaking with hope, Assumpta shared: “This farm is more than just my livelihood; it’s a second chance at life. With the support of the county and partners, I’ve been able to turn my passion into a solution for young people in my community. My dream is to see every youth believe that agribusiness is not just farming—it is dignity, innovation, and opportunity.”

To keep her agribusiness running, Assumpta has invested in simple but effective water solutions.

Using a water buzzer, she draws water from a nearby river and stores it in a farm pod system that maintains her nursery and a vibrant pawpaw plantation—showcasing how creativity and smart solutions can turn scarcity into sustainable farming.

Looking Ahead:

Assumpta now dreams of constructing and certifying her nursery to ensure even wider access to quality seedlings and opportunities for young farmers.

From a poet with no home to a farmer with a vision, her journey shows that agriculture is not just a livelihood—it is a lifeline, a tool for innovation and a path to community transformation.

Assumpta Mwikali’s inspiring journey from a street poet to a thriving agripreneur reflects the vison of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. county’s agenda of youth and women empowerment, food security and economic transformation.

CHIEF OFFICER VISITS KANYUNGU DISPENSARY, PLEDGES BETTER STAFF WELFARE AND WATER CONNECTION

Chief Officer for Health, Dr. Harvey Mulei, on Monday visited Kanyungu Dispensary in Kikumbulyu North Ward to assess the facility’s condition and interact with the local community.

Dr. Mulei reaffirmed the department’s commitment to enhancing staff welfare, noting that motivated health workers are key to delivering quality services to residents.

He also pledged to facilitate the connection of water to the facility to support smooth operations and improve service delivery.

Area MCA and Chairperson of the Health Committee, Jackson Mbalu was also present.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, FORMER PS EXPLORE NEW INVESTMENTS FOR MAKUENI

On Monday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted former Transport Principal Secretary Nduva Muli for a candid discussion on enhancing investment opportunities in Makueni, with the aim of boosting job creation and production.

A key highlight of the meeting was the identification of a strategic location within the county for the establishment of a plastic tanks manufacturing plant. The leaders agreed that the initiative would lower the cost of acquiring water storage tanks, promote rainwater harvesting, improve access to clean water, and create employment opportunities for young people.

Mr. Nduva, who is also a commercial mango farmer with an 8,000-tree plantation in Kibwezi, proposed a partnership with the County Government to build the capacity of local farmers in mango production, enhance value addition, and tap into export markets for better returns to farmers.