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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.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CALLS FOR PEACE AS BISHOP SIMON PETER KAMOMOE INSTALLED TO LEAD WOTE DIOCESE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Saturday joined thousands of Catholic faithful at Unoa Grounds in Wote for the installation of Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, in a ceremony led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

The installation marked a significant milestone for the Diocese of Wote, drawing clergy, political leaders and worshippers from across the region.

Addressing the congregation, Governor Mutula congratulated Bishop Kamomoe on his appointment and wished him success in his new pastoral mission.

The governor also called on the Catholic Church to continue praying for the country as Kenya heads toward the next General Election, emphasizing the need for national unity and peaceful coexistence.

He urged political leaders to work together and consistently preach peace to their supporters, saying harmony would be critical in the period leading up to the polls.

In his remarks, Mutula further told the congregation that the Makueni community had sent Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka to seek national leadership, describing him as a “fisher of men” in reference to the upcoming elections.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, appealed to young people to remain law-abiding and resist being manipulated into violence.

He urged the youth not to allow themselves to be used as goons, but instead to uphold the rule of law and contribute positively to society.

In his maiden address as Bishop of Wote, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe pledged to faithfully advance the Gospel, saying he would dedicate his ministry to proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and serving the faithful entrusted to his care.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI URGES FARMERS TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY AND VALUE ADDITION

Makueni Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili has urged farmers to embrace modern farming technologies, innovation, and value addition to enhance agricultural productivity, improve household incomes, and strengthen food security across the county.

Speaking during the second day of the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair at Makindu Showground on Friday, Mulili said empowering households with practical farming knowledge, modern technologies, and market-driven production is key to building resilient families and creating sustainable livelihoods.

She noted that the annual exhibition continues to provide a valuable platform where farmers interact with experts, learn modern agricultural practices, access quality farm inputs, and explore new market opportunities that can transform farming into a profitable enterprise.

The exhibition showcased a wide range of innovations and household-focused farming practices, including climate-smart agriculture, poultry production, apiculture (beekeeping), kitchen gardening, agroecological farming, livestock management, farm mechanization, irrigation technologies, value addition, agribusiness solutions, financial services, and agricultural research aimed at boosting food production and environmental sustainability.

Mulili further commended development partners, exhibitors, and agricultural stakeholders for their continued investment in innovative solutions that are empowering farmers, improving productivity, and strengthening agricultural value chains across the region.

She also applauded the vibrant entertainment that accompanied the exhibition, congratulating the upcoming musicians who graced the event for their outstanding performances and encouraging them to continue nurturing their talents.

The event brought together county leaders, government officials, farmers, exhibitors, development partners, and stakeholders from Makueni, Kitui, and Taita Taveta counties to showcase innovations in agriculture, livestock production, agribusiness, and value addition, while promoting knowledge exchange and regional collaboration in the agricultural sector.

HEALTH WORKERS TRAINED ON DIGITAL INNOVATION FOR WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE

The Department of Health on Friday convened an induction meeting for healthcare workers at Kusyombunguo Hotel to advance women’s health through the FemTech ecosystem by laying the foundation for a collaborative, gender-responsive and digitally enabled innovation framework.

Speaking during the meeting, Professor Beatrice Kihara of the University of Nairobi said the initiative seeks to improve women’s health outcomes across every stage of life by harnessing digital technologies and innovation.

She said the programme will focus on strengthening the digital health ecosystem through telemedicine, artificial intelligence (AI), mobile health technologies, wearable devices and clinical decision support systems.

According to Prof. Kihara, the initiative also aims to promote gender-responsive and inclusive innovations that address key women’s health priorities, including maternal health, family planning, menstrual health, cervical and breast cancer, adolescent health and menopause, while integrating digital technologies into routine healthcare delivery.

She further called for the establishment of a Makueni County FemTech Observatory to coordinate innovation, research, surveillance and evidence generation.

The observatory, she said, would also champion environmentally sustainable digital health solutions while driving public awareness and behaviour change initiatives to improve digital health literacy, strengthen community engagement and accelerate the adoption of technology.

Prof. Kihara noted that women face unique health challenges, including endometriosis, fertility complications and uterine fibroids, underscoring the need for innovative, technology-driven solutions to improve healthcare outcomes.

SMART FARMING INNOVATIONS STEAL THE SHOW AT MAKUENI TRADE FAIR

Innovation, technology and agribusiness opportunities came alive as the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair officially opened at Makindu Showground, with climate-smart farming and value chain development emerging as the major attractions for hundreds of farmers, investors and trade enthusiasts.

On the first day of the show, exhibitors showcased modern farming technologies, climate-smart farming practices, quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock production technologies, value addition, post-harvest handling, financial services, agribusiness solutions and locally manufactured products.

Speaking during the official opening of the three-day exhibition, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Makueni as a leading agricultural powerhouse through investment in smart farming, value chain development and market access.

The innovations are aimed at increasing awareness on productivity, reducing production costs, enhancing food security and creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers.

Mutula further expressed confidence that the county is steadily earning its place among Kenya’s top agricultural producers, with the sector playing a key role in improving household incomes and driving economic growth.

These exhibitions features latest agricultural technologies, certified seeds, modern irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock innovations, quality agrochemicals, greenhouse technologies, post-harvest solutions, value addition, financial and insurance services, agribusiness advisory, trade innovations and locally manufactured products.

Additionally, the innovations are empowering farmers to boost productivity, reduce losses, improve food security and unlock profitable markets.

The first-day ceremony that culminated with awarding of stunning exhibitors brought together County Executive Committee Members led by acting Agriculture CECM Damaris Kavoi, Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, national government representatives, development partners, exhibitors and local leaders, all united in advancing agriculture as the engine of Makueni’s economic transformation.