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COUNTY STEPS UP STAFF WELFARE THROUGH HR CLINICS

The Office of the County Secretary, through the Human Resource Unit, on Monday concluded a six-day HR clinic aimed at sensitising county staff on employee benefits, services, registration procedures and utilisation of the Jubilee medical insurance cover currently available to county government employees.

The exercise, which concluded at the County Referral Hospital, also provided a platform for employees to give feedback on human resource matters, including the obligations of the employer, with the broader goal of enhancing a conducive working environment for staff.

Human Resource Director Evelyn Mueni said the team is committed to advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo’s vision of a reengineered public service that recognises and rewards performance.

As part of activities marking HR Month, the clinics also incorporated sessions on mental wellness, with staff encouraged to invest in their well-being and pay greater attention to their mental health.

County Public Service Board CEO Redempta Kavindu, meanwhile, encouraged staff to apply for promotions and other job opportunities whenever vacancies arise.

Ag.Chief Officer in charge of Public Service Management Dr. Joselyn Nzilani was also present.

MUTULA WARNS AGAINST MISINFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, BACKS RESIDENTS ON LAND FEES IN KIBWEZI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has cautioned politicians against spreading misinformation to mislead the public and pledged to support residents opposing planned land payments affecting settlement schemes in Kibwezi East.

The governor spoke on Monday during the burial of Mzee Tom Nzoka in Nzembete Village, Masongaleni. The late Nzoka, grandfather of Masongaleni MCA Bryan Nzoka, was eulogised as a respected elder, community arbitrator and political mentor.

Mutula criticised remarks by some Members of Parliament who described bicycles issued to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) as “bicycle ambulances”, saying the claims misrepresented the programme and could mislead the public.

He also opposed plans requiring beneficiaries in 20 settlement schemes to make payments to settlement trustees despite already holding title deeds. The governor vowed to defend the residents’ land ownership rights and urged those affected to unite in opposing the proposed charges, which he alleged were politically motivated.

Also present were Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu,County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku, several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and County Executive Committee Members.

Mzee Tom was a respected elder, arbitrator and political Mentor.

ELDERLY MAKUENI RESIDENT HAILS MUTULA CARE AFTER YEARS OF COSTLY ILLNESS

For 74-year-old Elizabeth Munini from Kyuasini Village in Ukia Ward, Kaiti Constituency, receiving a Universal Healthcare Insurance card under the Mutula Care medical scheme marked a significant milestone in her long battle with chronic illness.

Munini has lived with asthma since 1968 and has been managing arthritis and hypertension since 2009. In 2019, she was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, further compounding her health challenges.

Her family’s burden has been made even heavier by her husband’s ongoing battle with prostate cancer.

She said meeting the cost of treatment has been difficult, as the family depends solely on farming for its livelihood and their children are unable to provide substantial financial support.

Munini lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration for prioritising vulnerable members of the community under the Makueni Care programme, saying the medical cover will significantly improve access to healthcare services both within and outside the county.

The county has so far factored about 10,000 households in the medical scheme, with distribution of cards continuing across Makueni.

On Thursday, the Director of Planning in the Department of Health Services, David Kiuluku, issued 370 Makueni Care insurance cards to residents of Ukia Ward during an event held at Mukuyuni ACK Hall.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI COMMISSIONS TWIN WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS IN MULALA WARD

Residents of Mulala Ward are celebrating improved access to clean and safe water following the commissioning of two major water projects by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday.

One of the projects, the Mulala Borehole Project, was drilled by the County Government during the 2024/2025 Financial Year, with a yield of 15,000 litres per hour. Through a partnership with Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), water from the borehole has been distributed to 10 water points, benefiting 3,500 village residents as well as 1,700 learners at Mulala Girls Secondary School, and Mulala, Iviani and Uthangathini primary schools.

The Deputy Governor also commissioned Yandia Water Project, raising the total number of water projects implemented in Mulala Ward to 26 over the last four years. Mulili said the investments have significantly expanded water coverage, bringing the ward close to achieving universal access to clean and safe water.

She noted that the projects are part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which aims to ensure every household has reliable access to clean water, less than 2km by 2027

YANDIA WATER PROJECT BRINGS LASTING RELIEF TO 4,000 EMALI-MULALA RESIDENTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday commissioned the Yandia Water Project in Emali/Mulala Ward, a transformative initiative implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is set to improve access to clean and safe water for more than 4,000 residents through the construction of seven water points strategically located at Kwa Soo, Kwa Mbindo, Kwa Mutie, Kanyonyoo, Kwa Mulandi, Kativani and Muselele villages.

Beyond water access, the project promotes climate-smart agriculture by supporting households with conical and vertical kitchen gardens, enabling families to enhance food production, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change.

The initiative is expected to end years of water-related conflicts caused by scarce water sources while advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which seeks to ensure every household has access to reliable and safe water.

MAKUENI EMPOWERS 33 KEE BODA BODA RIDERS WITH PROFESSIONAL DRIVING SKILLS

Thirty-three boda boda riders from Kee Ward have graduated to become fully qualified motor vehicle drivers after successfully completing a county-sponsored driving training programme. The graduates were issued with interim driving licences during a ceremony held at Kee Market on Wednesday.

The programme, spearheaded by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, is designed to help boda boda riders transition into professional driving and access broader employment opportunities.

Speaking during the licence issuance ceremony, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the initiative, now in its third phase in Kee Ward, will proceed to a fourth phase to give more young people an opportunity to benefit.

Kyoni noted that the programme reflects Makueni’s continued commitment to investing in youth by equipping them with practical skills that enable them to transition into new careers, secure gainful employment and build sustainable livelihoods.

Kee Ward MCA Albanus Manzu, who also attended the event, called on more young people to take advantage of the next phase of the programme by registering in large numbers.

MAKUENI URGES BODABODA RIDERS TO JOIN SACCOS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The County Government of Makueni has urged bodaboda operators to join registered Saccos to strengthen their businesses, access affordable credit and benefit from county empowerment programmes.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Ema Bodaboda Energies Fuel Station in Emali, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said organized groups stand a better chance of accessing the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), where eligible Saccos can obtain loans of KSh 50,000 and above to expand their investments.

Eng. Kyoni commended the bodaboda fraternity for establishing the fuel station, noting that the venture will diversify their income, strengthen their financial stability and improve livelihoods.

The initiative, spearheaded by James Kimanthi Mbaluka and the Emali bodaboda fraternity, is expected to create new economic opportunities for riders while supporting the wider Emali community

25 ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECTS SET TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY IN MAKUENI

Makueni County is implementing 25 road maintenance projects under the Road Maintenance Fuel Levy Fund (RMLF) in partnership with the Kenya Roads Board (KRB). Of these, 15 projects have been completed, while 10 are ongoing, opening up different parts of the county and improving connectivity.

On Tuesday, County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy, Eng. Peter Mumo, accompanied by Chief Officer Eng. David Ndolo, inspected some of the ongoing projects. Among the sites visited was the KSh 15.7 million Muangini Box Culvert in Kasikeu Ward, which is now 60 per cent complete and on course for completion by the end of August.

The team also inspected the Kiangini–Kitei–Mutini–Manza Road and the Mulala–Kambiwa–Uthangathi–Kwa Kotoe–Nduunune Road, where culvert construction, slab installation, spot murraming and other improvement works are underway to improve connectivity and ease the movement of residents, goods and services.

The ongoing road maintenance programme aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to improving road infrastructure, enhancing accessibility, and facilitating the efficient movement of people, goods and services across all parts of Makueni County

MUTULA FLAGS OFF 385 BICYCLES FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTERS, LAUNCHES FREE AMBULANCE SERVICES.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday flagged off 385 bicycles for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in Thange, Ivingoni-Nzambani, Kikumbulyu South and Kikumbulyu North wards to improve mobility and strengthen the delivery of healthcare services across the county.

Speaking at the Mother and Child Hospital, Governor Mutula said CHPs are the first point of contact within communities and often traverse difficult terrain to reach households.

He noted that the bicycles would enable them to cover more homes, improve response time and enhance the quality of healthcare services at the community level.

The governor said the bicycles were prioritized during last financial year’s public participation forums in the four wards, and encouraged other wards to prioritise similar initiatives in future budget planning.

During the event, Governor Mutula also commissioned free ambulance services for patients referred by clinicians and those requiring emergency medical care.

He said 265 patients have already benefited from the service since July 1st this year.

To strengthen emergency medical response, the county has partnered with the Emergency Medical Kenya Foundation through a programme dubbed Ambulensi, which is installing an Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) system.

The technology will enable dispatch teams to quickly locate callers requesting emergency services, reducing response time and lowering operational costs.

The county currently has 10 operational ambulances, while two are undergoing repairs. It has also received an additional ambulance from St. John Ambulance, with plans to procure two more units during the current financial year.

The governor was accompanied by Kikumbulyu North MCA Jackson Mbalu, Kikumbulyu South MCA Jades Kalunda, Mavindini MCA Japheth Kimongo, nominated MCAs Elizabeth Muthike and Sarah Mbilo, and County Assembly Clerk Ken Mutuku.

MAKUENI PRAISED FOR FLOCCA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Makueni County has been commended for its integrated approach to implementing projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLOCCA) programme during an implementation support mission by the World Bank team and representatives from partner agencies.

The delegation, led by FLOCCA Programme Manager for County Co-ordination Abraham Barsosui and World Bank Senior Water Engineer Pascaline Wanjiku, paid a courtesy call on the county leadership as part of a mission to review implementation progress and strengthen programme governance. The team included representatives from support agencies, among them the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The team praised the County for integrating agriculture, water and environmental projects, as well as its commitment to documentation and transparency in programme implementation.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili thanked the delegation for its support and reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to completing all FLOCCA-funded projects before the programme ends in December.

She said the projects would have a lasting impact on residents’ livelihoods but raised concern over increasing vandalism of public projects, saying the vice was undermining development efforts.