News

FORTIFIED FOODS FORUM PUTS PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST

Food fortification is the process of adding essential vitamins and minerals to everyday foods to improve health and prevent nutrition-related diseases.

With this in focus, fortifying food has emerged as one of the simplest and most effective ways to curb nutrition-related health risks.

On Friday, the Government of Makueni County in partnership with the Ministry of Health with support from the World Food Programme completed a three-day forum in Machakos to advance new strategies for public awareness on fortified foods.

The discussions that involved officers from Public Health and Agriculture departments focused on helping households, county government leadership and community stakeholders understand the value of consuming nutrient-enhanced foods, especially in preventing hidden hunger and boosting overall health.

During the forum, WFP also trained on sustainable approaches that Makueni can adopt to ensure long-term access and behaviour change on nutritious foods.

Additionally, the partnership aims to equip communities with knowledge that supports healthier, more resilient families.

MAKUENI COURTS ISRAELI AGENCIES ON POTENTIAL COLLABORATION AREAS

Makueni County is deepening efforts to secure strategic partnerships with the State of Israel.

On Thursday, Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gideon Behar, paid a courtesy call to Makueni, where he held discussions with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and senior county officials on areas of mutual interest -including water, agriculture, health, climate change, Education and energy.

Governor Mutula said the County is seeking to leverage Israel’s advanced technology and skills to bolster small-scale irrigation systems, a move he noted will help suppress the effects of climate change in the semi-arid region. Israel’s successful water-management and desert-agriculture models, he added, offer practical solutions that can be adapted to Makueni’s ecological realities.

The Governor emphasized that the envisioned partnership will prioritize capacity building and skills transfer, allowing local farmers, youth, and technical personnel to benefit from specialized training and exposure to modern practices.

Beyond water and irrigation, Makueni is also looking to collaborate with Israeli agencies in areas of food security, nutrition enhancement, smart agriculture, and knowledge transfer aimed at making agriculture more profitable and sustainable for local communities.

Ambassador Behar praised Makueni’s leadership, describing its development agenda as strategic and visionary, and reaffirmed Israel’s support for the county’s initiatives.

MAKUENI FEEDLOT SUCCESS DRAWS GLOBAL ATTENTION FROM URUGUAY EXPERTS

Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili on Wednesday led a high-level delegation from Uruguay’s National Institute of Agricultural Research, accompanied by national government officials, on a tour of the Sand River feedlot farm in Sultan Hamud, an expansive 200-acre model showcasing advanced feedlot and fodder production systems.

Uruguay, renowned globally for its expertise in livestock genetics, feed technologies, and pasture-based beef systems, is exploring opportunities for collaboration to enhance feedlot performance, strengthen expert training, and establish demonstration sites in Kenya.

Makueni is currently implementing an animal feed strategy aimed at ensuring farmers have access to consistent, affordable, and high-quality feeds that support improved livestock growth and value chain.

During the visit, Uruguay’s Director for the Animal Health Platform commended Makueni for implementing effective policies that have fostered serious beef production.

Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli noted that the county has already invested in pasture development across Malili, Kibwezi West, Kathonzweni, Kilome, and parts of Kibwezi East, while also expanding disease surveillance and supporting farmers through subsidized livestock insurance.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. VISITS, CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF NGOLUNI ACCIDENT VICTIMS

The Makueni County Government on Tuesday visited and condoled with families affected by the tragic Ngoluni accident, which occurred on November 22nd . Led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the county delegation offered sympathy, support, and assurances of continued assistance to the grieving families.

In an emotional day-long visit, Governor Mutula—accompanied by senior county officials—met with Musili Ngemu of Tawa, Kisau/Kieteta Ward. Ngemu lost his wife and three children in the accident. The governor’s visit was met with gratitude, with residents praising the swift and coordinated response by county health officials immediately after the tragedy.

Governor Mutula pledged that the county would support the education of Ngemu’s two surviving children, terming it a commitment to restoring hope to the devastated family. He also announced that the county had initiated action to raise road bumps along the section of the road where the accident occurred, to improve safety and prevent future incidents.

The governor later proceeded to Kaithi village in Masii, Machakos County, where he visited another victim, Leah Kimanyi, who was injured and lost two children in the same accident.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. LEADS COUNTY OFFICIALS IN MOURNING DR. SONIA NZILANI

A sombre mood engulfed the Makueni County headquarters as Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. led county government officials mourning the late Makueni County Executive Committee Member, Dr. Sonia Nzilani.

The event also marked the launch of a condolence book at the governor’s office grounds, allowing officials to record their messages of sympathy and support.

Colleagues described Dr. Sonia as social, outgoing, and exceptionally hardworking.

Governor Mutula assured staff that his administration would do everything possible to ensure the departed minister receives a befitting send-off.

He noted that Dr. Sonia’s death had deeply affected many and shaken the core of Makueni’s leadership. He praised her as a dedicated public servant who “never wasted a moment to market Makueni.”

The governor directed that all county flags fly at half-mast until the day after her burial. He also encouraged officials to plant trees in her memory.

MAKUENI COUNTY MOURNS THE SUDDEN PASSING OF DR. SONIA NZILANI

A somber mood engulfed the Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home on Saturday as family, friends, and leaders from both Makueni and Machakos counties gathered to receive the body of the late Dr. Sonia Nzilani, the Makueni CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, who led the procession, described Dr. Nzilani’s death as shocking and deeply unexpected, noting that she had appeared healthy, vibrant, and full of energy. He assured the public that his government would work closely with family to uncover the cause of her sudden passing on awaiting postmortem.

Mutula paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Nzilani, calling her “a pillar of development” and a passionate environmentalist whose commitment to a progressive and sustainable Makueni was unmatched. “We have lost more than a CECM—we have lost a key stakeholder and a true champion of our community,” he said.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who was also present, praised Dr. Nzilani for her efforts to strengthen social and economic ties between the two counties. Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, along with several CECMs, MCAs, and Chief Officers from both counties, also attended to pay their respects.

MULILI VISITS NGOLUNI CRASH SURVIVORS, CALLS FOR CAUTION ON THE ROADS

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday morning visited survivors of the tragic Ngoluni road accident, which occurred after a speeding lorry veered out of control and rammed into a 14-seater matatu that was stationed at a matatu bay.

Mulili expressed deep sorrow over the loss of six lives in the fatal crash and conveyed her heartfelt condolences to the affected families. She also wished the injured, currently receiving treatment at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, a swift recovery.

The Deputy Governor urged drivers and other road users to remain alert and strictly observe traffic regulations, especially during the festive season when road risks are heightened.

During her tour of the hospital wards, Mulili also visited victims of an earlier incident in which an epileptic driver lost control of a vehicle and crashed into a supermarket, injuring several shoppers.

Mulili commended the medical team at the referral hospital for their prompt and diligent response in handling the emergencies, noting that their professionalism had saved many lives.

She was accompanied during the visit by Wote Ward MCA Felix Mateso and Health Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei.

NDUKUMA DAM BRINGS RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY TO MUVAU/KIKUMINI RESIDENTS

Residents of Mumbuni, Kwa Kathoka, Kaseve, Kwa Mulele and Senda in Muvau Ward are experiencing a new era of reliable water access thanks to the rehabilitated Ndukuma Dam, which was desilted in 2022/2023 by the Makueni County Dam Construction Unit with support from the National Youth Service (NYS).

For years, households in the area relied on unpredictable and often unsafe water sources. Today, the restored dam has eased the burden of fetching water, with many families reporting shorter distances, steady supply, and improved hygiene.

Beyond water for domestic use, the dam has also become a source of nutritional well-being for the community. To boost local food security, 5,000 fingerlings were stocked in the reservoir, opening opportunities for small-scale fishing that now supplements household diets and supports livelihoods.

Looking ahead, the county government is preparing to rehabilitate the existing water distribution network to serve 16 water points, a move expected to expand coverage and reach more residents across the ward.

#WauniWaKwikaNesaNaUlungalu

#LastMileWaterConnectivity

HOW DATA IS POWERING MAKUENI’S DEVELOPMENT VISION

Did you know that data can define the development path of a community? And did you also know that Makueni has been quietly steering its decisions using a robust, people-driven data system that begins at the cluster level, a model widely celebrated as participatory budgeting?

Annually, the Department of Finance has deployed teams to clusters across the county to collect data directly from the public and county staff working at the grassroots. These sessions capture real community priorities, challenges, and insights that ultimately shape key development blue prints including the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

In partnership with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the county compiles and analyzes this data before subjecting it to validation by data producers from county departments and semi-autonomous government agencies. The validated findings are then refined into the County Statistical Abstract, an official publication launched annually as the county’s authoritative data resource.

This data is instrumental in tracking progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), monitoring county performance, and informing the next phase of development planning. It provides a clear picture of what is working, what needs improvement, and where resources should be directed.

According to Acting Director in charge of Socio-Economic Planning, Stanlaus Matheka, the Statistical Abstract also supports the domestication of national data from KNBS.

In 2024, Makueni was recognized as the best-performing devolved unit in implementing the SDGs, a prestigious title the county has held for six consecutive years.

As the conversation around development deepens, next week,we will explore what sustainable Development Goals really mean for communities and why every resident should care about them.

Before then,tell us, how many SDGs do you know and which ones matter to you?

MAKUENI TARGETS STRONGER MANGO MARKETS AHEAD OF 2025 PEAK SEASON

With Kenya producing about 650,000 metric tonnes of mangoes annually, Makueni continues to stand out with an estimated 183,891 metric tonnes harvested in the 2024 season—affirming its position as one of the country’s leading mango hubs.

To strengthen this key sector, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development partnered with Trademark Africa (TMA)—an EU-funded agency that supports fair trade and improved market access—and convened a two-day forum bringing together farmers, marketing agents and exporters.

The meeting aimed to streamline fair pricing across all levels of the mango value chain, link farmers with credible buyers, and organise producers by region to ease bulk collection and improve market coordination.

Speaking during the Thursday session, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli urged farmers to follow proper mango handling practices, noting that good post-harvest care is essential for meeting export standards.

With improved mango handling, stronger market linkages and fair pricing structures, farmers will be positioned to reap meaningful benefits from their orchards.

The Makueni’s sweet mango output includes 30.9 million kgs for farm consumption, 76.4 million kgs for urban markets, and 5.5 million kgs for export, reflecting its growing economic potential.

The attendance Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyallo underscored the county’s commitment—driven by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision—to advancing economic empowerment and improving household incomes across Makueni.