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MAKUENI STIRRING UP CHANGE IN DAIRY FARMING

Makueni County is steadily turning its dairy farming dream into a reality through targeted programs designed to transform the sector into a major income earner and nutrition booster for local households.

During a dairy farmer’s day held at Makiou Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society on Thursday, it was revealed that with the current milk production of about 40 million litres annually in Makueni, the county still imports milk to meet its demand.

However, the county government has turned this gap into an opportunity—rolling out a set of long-term solutions through its Dairy Development Strategy underpinned by four pillars: Improved dairy breeds, Better livestock nutrition, Robust disease management and Modern milk aggregation and marketing systems

During the field day, Agriculture Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza shared how Agriculture Department is taking bold steps to grow the dairy sector from the ground up. Kiminza noted that the county is focused on strengthening the entire dairy value chain to benefit farmers directly.

Among key programs by the county government in place to support this goal include subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) initiative to help farmers access quality breeds at affordable rates, and the introduction of Makueni Animal Feeds Development Strategy which ensures year-round access to nutritious livestock feed.

In the event that was attended by the Cooperative’s chairperson Paul Wasanga, the Chief Officer noted that the Livestock Department is running a robust vaccination campaign against major dairy diseases, alongside regular farmer training sessions on best dairy practices—making dairy farming both productive and sustainable.

Additionally, the county government has invested heavily in boosting dairy farming by supporting local cooperatives with a good number of the 18 dairy cooperatives spread across the county receiving vital equipment such as milk coolers, pasteurizers, transport vehicles, electricity connections and even mini-processing plants.

Notably, Kikima and Kathonzweni Dairy Cooperatives are among those benefiting from these upgrades.

These improvements are helping farmers handle milk better, maintain quality and earn more from their produce.

As the county celebrated the strides made in dairy farming, it was noted that partnerships with development agencies like the World Bank (through NAVCDP and DRIVE) and FAO have emmensely contributed towards helping scale up feed security and commercialization.

This year’s theme, “Makueni is investing in its farmers, its children’s nutrition, and its future through dairy,” reflects Governor Mutula’s commitment to improving lives by ensuring food security, growing household incomes, empowering communities and promoting agro-industrial growth across the county.

The CO urged dairy farmers to step up and showcase their achievements at the upcoming Makueni Agricultural Show in early August.

MARIA SALUS INFIRMORUM HEALTH FACILITY UNVEILED IN KILOME

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday joined Wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and other leaders at Kiongwani in Kilome Sub-county for the official unveiling of the Maria Salus Infirmorum Health Facility.

The facility has been established through the efforts of donors in Spain.

The facility will now join the network of county health facilities providing essential services to the people of Makueni.

The launch aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s commitment to strengthening universal health coverage and promoting medical tourism across the county.

Deputy Governor Mulili emphasized the importance of care networks that integrate private and public health services under the World Health Organization framework, noting significant improvements in the county’s health system.

She also acknowledged the development-oriented leadership of the Wiper party leader and extended her best wishes as he eyes the presidency in the upcoming general elections.

Also in attendance was the CECM in charge of Devolution Nickolas Nzioka, Chief Officers Health Services Dr.Harvey Mulei and Felistus Mutune Office of the Governor.

MAKUENI CONFIRMS 216 CONTRACT HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO PERMANENT TERMS

The Makueni County Government has confirmed 216 healthcare workers, who had served on contract for more than three years, to permanent and pensionable terms.

The confirmation letters were issued on Wednesday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. during a ceremony held at the Mother and Child Hospital.

The newly confirmed staff include 50 nurses, 24 registered clinical officers, 18 medical laboratory technologists, 12 pharmaceutical technologists, 11 psychological counsellors, and 4 emergency medical technicians, among other essential health professionals.

The governor emphasized his administration’s commitment to strengthening the county’s health system by investing in the welfare of health workers.

As part of this commitment, 917 employees across various cadres have already been promoted after years of stagnation in the same job groups.

Further, 56 doctors, including six consultants, were elevated to Job Group R, while three senior consultants were promoted to Job Group S in recognition of their critical contributions.

In a major boost to specialized care, the county has also hired its first neurosurgeon, who is now stationed at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The Governor acknowledged the challenges faced by healthcare personnel working on contract terms, including job insecurity, disparities in remuneration, limited access to training opportunities, and difficulties in obtaining credit facilities despite being expected to deliver at par with their permanently employed counterparts.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, chairman Public Service Board Dr.Nickodemus Muteti, several Members of County Assembly, and members of the County Executive during the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BOOST CLEAN WATER ACCESS IN WOTE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Tanathi Water Works Development Agency CEO Fidelis Kyengo, on Wednesday launched critical infrastructure works aimed at improving water supply for Wote Town and its environs.

The projects, funded by Tanathi through a long-standing partnership with the county government, include:

• Equipping a 30,000-liter-per-hour borehole at Mwaani and connecting it to a 12.5 KW solar power system;

• Solarizing the Kamunyolo community water supply system with a 10 KW solar installation;

• Installing an 88 KW solar power system for booster pumping to the Makueni Boys distribution tanks;

• Construction and rehabilitation of 13.5 km distribution pipeline;

• Supply and installation of bulk water meters.

The Mwaani borehole will inject an extra 30,000 litres per hour into the existing water supply network, while the Kamunyolo project will increase daily pumping hours from just 45 minutes to 7 hours.

Governor Mutula noted that his administration is working round the clock to ensure sustainable and adequate clean water supply for Wote Town, to meet the demands of its rapidly growing urban population and to boost investor confidence.

MAKUENI AND THINKWELL STRENGTHEN HEALTH SECTOR THROUGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

The Makueni County Government, in partnership with ThinkWell, have been implementing a performance management framework aimed at systematically tracking progress, identifying service delivery gaps, and enhancing health outcomes across the county.

On Tuesday, the County Health Management Team convened at Kusyombunguo Hotel to assess the implementation of previous action points and propose corrective measures where necessary.

During the forum, ThinkWell representative Moses Maragu reported that health facilities achieved a 100 percent reporting rate in April and May this year.

Level 2 and 3 facilities recorded higher participation and inclusion in the analysis compared to level 4 facilities.

The assessment also showed that level 4 facilities had attained full availability of essential maternal and newborn care equipment.

Items such as delivery beds, vacuum extractors, and complete delivery packs were reported to be readily available, reflecting improved facility readiness for maternal and newborn care.

Outgoing County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, Dr. Paul Musila, who attended the meeting, used the opportunity to introduce the incoming CECM, Joyce Mutua.

He emphasized the role of performance management in strengthening accountability, enhancing efficiency, and aligning health interventions with county priorities.

He also highlighted the framework’s role in promoting data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and the optimal use of resources to better serve the population.

SAFEGUARDING LIVESTOCK: VETERINARY DIRECTORATE WRAPS UP SUCCESSFUL VACCINATION DRIVE

The County Government of Makueni, through the Veterinary Directorate, has successfully concluded the annual mass livestock vaccination exercise that began in June 2025.

During the exercise, a total of 199,223 animals from 33,566 households were vaccinated across 602 sites in the county.

The targeted diseases included Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which causes fever and foot and mouth blisters in cattle; Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), known for painful skin nodules in cattle; and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), a deadly respiratory infection in goats.

The vaccination exercise saw 71,692 animals protected against LSD, 29,342 against FMD, 92,532 against CCPP and 937 vaccinated against Rabies,

This program underscores the county’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods by preventing disease outbreaks, improving animal health and boosting livestock productivity across Makueni.

COUNTY PARTNERS WITH KILOME YOUTH AND KNH DOCTORS TO REACH OVER 500 IN MEDICAL OUTREACH

Over the weekend, the County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with Kilome Digital Youth Kenya and medical professionals from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), conducted a successful medical outreach program targeting over 500 residents of Kilome Sub-county.

The outreach, led by Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chief Officer for Health Services, provided free medical services including general health screenings, cancer checks, laboratory diagnostics, and medication.

Dr. Mulei noted that the program exceeded expectations, as there was sufficient medication for all patients, with the surplus redirected to local health facilities.

He noted that medical camps play a critical role in early detection and timely intervention of health conditions. He said they also help in identifying cases that require referral to higher-level facilites.

He further disclosed that, as part of the county’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the health department are in the process of developing a health insurance scheme aimed at shielding residents from the vagaries of hospital bills.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, FLLOCA TEAM REVIEW CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECTS, PLAN NEW INTERVENTIONS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted a high-powered delegation of national Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) officials and Danish Embassy representatives to assess the impact of climate resilience projects in Makueni.

The meeting also discussed plans for future interventions with a view to enhancing their design for higher community impact.

Governor Mutula acknowledged the massive impact the 12 projects implemented in the 2023/2024 Financial Year have had in improving water access, food security and livelihoods across Makueni. Governor Mutula praised FLLoCA’s community driven model of development, saying it has improved projects ownership.

The meeting was attended b by FLLoCA Program Coordinator Peter Odhengo, Embassy of Denmark representative Phillip Akello, Makueni Lands ECM Paul Musila, Education & ICT ECM Japheth Mang’oka and Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Muthoka.

ATHI-TUNGUNI WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, BRINGING RELIEF TO THOUSANDS.

The long wait for reliable water is nearly over for residents of Nguumo, Makindu and Kikumbulyu North wards as the Athi-Tunguni water project enters its final stages of completion.

The Sh 68M project by the Government of Makueni County aims to draw and treat water from Athi River and supply it to the three wards.

During a routine inspection of ongoing works on Friday, Water Executive Committee Member Eng. John Kieti and his Infrastructure counterpart Eng. Peter Mumo confirmed the pipeline extension works are progressing well, with full completion expected by August 2025.

The Athi-Tunguni initiative is a flagship project under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Program, which aims to achieve universal water access by 2027.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH JUDICIARY TO ROLL OUT ALTERNATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

In a significant move to enhance access to justice at the grassroots level, Makueni County has announced a strategic partnership with the Judiciary to establish an Alternative Justice System (AJS). This initiative aims at streamlining justice delivery through culturally grounded and community-led mechanisms that complement formal court processes.

Speaking on Thursday when she paid courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office, Lady Justice Mumbua Matheka, Judge of the High Court, emphasized the urgent need for a structured Alternative Justice System to address the root causes of injustice and ensure timely dispute resolution.

She said AJS will be established in every sub-county and that the teams will include local national Government administrators, county grassroots officers, religious leaders, opinion leaders, elders, and representatives from the Court Users Committee (CUC) and undergo specialized training in legal and traditional dispute resolution skills.

Justice Matheka referenced a national survey revealing that only 17% of disputes in Kenya reach formal courts. A significant 67% are resolved informally within communities, while 16% are abandoned altogether. She said this shows the need for a more inclusive justice system that recognizes the important role of traditional dispute resolution.

Governor Mutula welcomed the initiative, expressing full support for the judiciary’s efforts to bring justice closer to the people.

Also present at the meeting were High Court Judge, Justice Elijah Obaga, Chief Magistrate P. N. Gesora, Resident Magistrate, F.C. Ngetich, Senior Resident Magistrate, M. Mutua, and CECM, Finance Damaris Kavoi.