News

RESIDENTS PACK FORUMS AS COUNTY BUDGET TALKS ENTER SECOND PHASE

The second round of public participation forums began Tuesday across the county, drawing large crowds to ward-level meetings aimed at harmonising sub-ward proposals into unified ward development priorities.

In Kisau Kiteta Ward, more than 200 residents gathered for the day-long session, where they consolidated projects valued at KSh 33 million. Similar exercises are underway in all wards, with the engagements scheduled to run through Thursday.

Finance CECM Damaris Kavoi, who attended the Kisau Kiteta forum, praised the strong turnout, noting the active involvement of retired civil servants. She described their participation as a demonstration that citizens remain vital contributors to local development even after leaving public service.

Kavoi also commended residents for consistently ensuring that the voices of persons living with disabilities are included in the discussions, saying inclusive participation is key to equitable budgeting.

She further lauded Public Management Committees for their continued oversight of county projects and encouraged residents to utilise services offered by extension officers and other county staff stationed in the wards.

Participants in the ward, additionally prioritised development needs for Mbooni Kee Municipality.

Ward forums continue Wednesday, with special interest group sessions scheduled for Thursday. The Youth Public Participation forum will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the Diaspora forum is slated for 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., both via Zoom.

MAKUENI DEPUTY GOVERNOR INSPECTS SH13M WATER PROJECT IN THANGE

Makueni County deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Tuesday inspected the ongoing Sh13 million Water Project in Mbulutini, Thange Ward, in a bid to fast-track improved access to clean water.

Accompanied by area MCA Eric Katumo, the Deputy Governor assessed progress on the project, which is funded under the Flloca programme in partnership with the County Government of Makueni.

The project includes construction of a 100-cubic-metre distribution tank at Thange Market, additional 20,000-litre storage tanks for surrounding villages, and a sand dam within Thange Forest to boost water harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Thee project is expected to ease chronic water shortages in Thange and neighbouring areas once complete.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR PUSHES MAKUENICARE ROLLOUT IN THANGE

Makueni County Deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Tuesday intensified push for the rollout of Makuenicare (aka Mutula Care), urging residents of Thange Ward to register vulnerable households for the county-backed health cover programme.

Mulili said the initiative will provide 600 beneficiaries per ward with hospital cards, with the County Government of Makueni settling their medical bills. She called on local leaders and residents to ensure the most deserving families are enlisted.

The Deputy Governor also highlighted ongoing development projects, including strengthening the mango value chain through the Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant, as well as investments in rural roads and water infrastructure to boost service delivery.

She spoke in Thange Ward after attending condoling with Francisca Mauta Musau’s family.

MUANGINI DRIFT UPGRADE TO BOOST CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AREA

The County Government of Makueni has intensified efforts to improve rural connectivity with the ongoing upgrade of the Muangini–Mbyani–Ngalani Road (Muangini Drift).

On Monday, County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy, Eng. Peter Mumo, inspected the spot improvement works aimed at ensuring all-weather access along the flood-prone section.

The project involves upgrading the Muangini Drift to enhance safety and ease movement for residents, traders, farmers, school children and emergency services, particularly during the rainy season when the area becomes impassable.

Funded by the county government and implemented by Stanfford Construction Company Limited, the project is part of a broader road improvement programme targeting better market access and stronger links between production zones.

KITUI BENCHMARKS MAKUENI ON DIGITAL FARM EXTENSION

A delegation from Kitui County on Monday benchmarked digital agricultural extension services in a courtesy visit to Makueni County, aimed at strengthening technology-driven service delivery to farmers.

The delegation, led by Kitui’s Agriculture CECM Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, was hosted by Makueni’s counterpart Liz Muli at the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development.

Technical and policy teams from both counties shared experiences on e-extension models, digital farmer registration, real-time advisory services, data use for decision-making, climate-smart agriculture and market linkages.

The discussions also touched on value chains such as mango, highlighting how digital platforms can support timely advisory and reduce post-harvest losses.

Also attended by Chief officers Jonathan Kambi (Livestock – Kitui), Japheth Kiminza (Livestok – Makueni) and Felistus Mutune (Agriculture – Makueni), the engagement is an indication that inter-county collaboration is a pathway to improved productivity, resilience and farmer incomes through modernized extension systems.

NEW MAKUENI PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD MEMBERS SWORN IN, URGED TO CHAMPION WORKERS WELFARE.

Makueni County Public Service Board has been fully constituted after three newly appointed members took the oath of office in a ceremony marked by a strong call for integrity and protection of workers’ welfare.

Josephine Mbena Mwau, Zebedee Mwandi and Deborah Mutheu Kyalo were sworn in for a six-year term in an exercise conducted by the county attorney and witnessed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and his deputy, Lucy Mulili.

Mutula challenged the board to uphold integrity and stamp out malpractice within the county workforce, warning that no employee should take shortcuts under its watch.

He directed the now fully constituted board to prioritise staff welfare, describing human resources as Makueni’s greatest asset and a key driver of the county’s social and economic transformation.

The governor further called for swift implementation of a clear rewards and sanctions framework to recognise hardworking employees while enforcing accountability.

Deputy Governor Mulili urged the board to entrench professionalism and remain sensitive to both county development goals and staff growth.

NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBERS SWORN IN AS MAKUENI CLIMATE CHANGE FUND BOARD BECOMES FULLY CONSTITUTED

Makueni County Climate Change Fund Board is now fully constituted following the swearing-in of newly appointed members .

The oath of office was administered Monday by the County Attorney and witnessed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Mutula urged the board members to serve as climate change ambassadors within their communities and across the county. He called on them to spearhead resource mobilization efforts to strengthen the county’s climate action plans.

The governor also challenged the board to take a leading role in addressing the environmental impacts of mining activities and to guide the county in implementing proactive measures to protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change.

He further emphasized the importance of positioning the county to benefit from carbon credit opportunities as global momentum toward carbon markets continues to grow.

MAKUENI, VITAMIN ANGELS PARTNER TO TACKLE ANAEMIA THROUGH NEW NUTRITION STRATEGIES.

Makueni County, in collaboration with Vitamin Angels through the transforming lives consortium, on Friday concluded a four-day co-creation workshop held in Makindu and Wote.

The forum brought together community leaders, pregnant and lactating mothers, development partners, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), healthcare workers, administrators, and influencers, including spouses and mothers-in-law.

The workshop focused on developing strategies to address anaemia, which currently stands at 40 percent in the county, according to data from the Kenya Health Data Information System (KDHIS).

Dr. Lucy Kanya, Regional director for Vitamin Angels noted that while pregnant women have been receiving daily Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplements, many still experience other micronutrient deficiencies, adding that the deficiencies are linked to adverse outcomes such as anaemia, prematurity, and low birth weight.

Further ,while IFA supplementation coverage is high, adherence according to Dr. Lucy remains low as evidenced in the poor health outcomes such as anaemia, which currently stands at 40 percent in the county according to data from the Kenya Health and Information System.

During the workshop,participants validated research findings to support the implementation of multiple micronutrient supplementation within the antenatal care platform in the county.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends MMS which contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals for positive pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vitamin Angels in 2025 to support the introduction of MMS within the ANC platform in Makueni.

The programme will be implemented across 13 health facilities, including the county referral hospital, six sub-county hospitals, four health centres, and two dispensaries.

County Nutrition Coordinator Ruth Kaloki said the workshop outcomes will guide the development of tailored messages and materials suited to the Makueni context.

She added that the strategies will be rolled out alongside the distribution of MMS and monitored to inform potential countywide scale-up.

MAKUENI RESIDENTS TURN OUT FOR BUDGET CONSULTATIONS

Residents from all 60 sub-wards in Makueni County on Wednesday gathered at designated venues to participate in public participation on the 2026/2027 financial year budget estimates and the County Fiscal Strategy Paper.

The forums, scheduled across February, are structured to capture views at multiple levels. Sub-ward meetings are set for 11th and 12th, ward consultations for 17th and 18th, while sessions targeting municipalities and the diaspora will take place on the 19th. A youth-focused virtual forum is planned for the 16th.

The engagements are designed to give citizens an opportunity to influence development planning by identifying priority projects aligned with local needs and livelihoods.

County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Damaris Kavoi, officially opened the exercise in Nziu Sub-ward before proceeding to Kiteta Sub-Ward, where she attended deliberations by residents.

Participants in Kiteta proposed several priority areas, including the acquisition of a dental chair and an incinerator for Tawa Sub-County Hospital, construction of ECDE classrooms, expansion of water projects, and support for farmers through provision of certified seeds.

Elsewhere, Chief Officers Felistus Mutune and Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi attended public participation forums at Kitundu and Kitise sub-wards, respectively.

MAKUENI DEEPENS ULTRA-POOR GRADUATION EFFORTS

In a bid to streamline poverty alleviation efforts, the Makueni County Government in 2025 launched the Ultra-Poor Graduation Policy to promote socio-economic empowerment and sustainable development.

Against this backdrop, the county has opened its doors to development partners to support vulnerable households in transitioning from extreme social and financial exclusion to self-sufficient participation in the economy.

One such initiative is the Survival Intervention Programme, spearheaded by Compassion International in collaboration with the Baptist Church in the Kathyaka area, Kikumbulyu Ward.

The programme supports pregnant women by providing maternal healthcare from pregnancy through delivery, and continues to offer educational support to their children until completion of their studies.

In addition, the organisation is implementing complementary programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, including smart agriculture for food security, apiary farming, and family planning services.

Speaking during the launch of the Survival Intervention Programme, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who was the chief guest, commended development partners for walking alongside the county in ensuring residents access essential services.

She further highlighted key development projects implemented under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration, among them the Athi Tunguni Water Project, which serves Kikumbulyu North, Makindu, and Nguumo wards.