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MAKUENI ADVANCES WITH MULTIPLE MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION AS STUDY REVEALS LOW IFAS ADHERENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

A recent study conducted by Department of Health Services in partnership with Vitamin Angels has revealed low adherence to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among pregnant women despite high coverage during antenatal clinic visits.

The findings show that while 93.1 per cent of women attending prenatal care receive IFAS tablets, only 17 per cent complete the recommended dosage.

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation remain a critical nutritional intervention aimed at preventing anaemia in pregnancy and reducing birth defects while supporting maternal and fetal health.

However, the study established that many pregnant women in Makueni fail to complete the dosage due to concerns over the alleged smell and unpleasant taste of the tablets among other characteristics.

The study further revealed growing acceptance of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), with 95.4 per cent of pregnant women expressing willingness to use the supplement.

The World Health Organization-recommended MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals ( iron and folic included) specifically formulated to improve maternal nutrition, pregnancy outcomes, and infant health.

Makueni County, which this year became the first in the country to launch the supplementation programme, is now adopting a multi-sectoral approach to ensure successful implementation and adherence.

The county government has brought together several departments, including Agriculture, Health, Education, Gender, Finance, and Socio-Economic Planning, to strengthen nutrition interventions among mothers and adolescent girls.

The Department of Agriculture is supporting food systems and dietary diversity initiatives such as kitchen gardens and food preservation, while the Department of Health is working closely with the education sector to improve antenatal care awareness among school-going adolescents.

According to the findings, adolescents account for 11 per cent of antenatal clinic attendees, with studies indicating that 66 per cent of them record the lowest adherence to Iron and Folic Acid supplementation.

Vitamin Angel’s Africa Technical Director, Dr. Lucy Kanya, who spoke on Friday as she addressed healthcare workers and other stakeholders noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of suitable development goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

She noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua believes the transition to MMS could mark a major breakthrough in improving maternal and child health outcomes, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.

MAKUENI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN CREATIVE INDUSTRY THROUGH ARTIST TRAINING

The Government of Makueni County on Thursday partnered with the Kenya Copyright Board and the Permanent Presidential Music Commission to train local artists on copyright protection, royalty collection and opportunities in the creative industry.

The workshop brought together artists from across the county and focused on helping them understand intellectual property rights and ways of earning from their creative work.

Speaking during the forum, Ag. CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Nicholas Nzioka said the county is committed to supporting local talent through programs that create growth and employment opportunities.

Deputy Director Sharon Wata encouraged artists to register their music and content to protect their work and access royalties.

The event was also attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Chief Officer Jossylin Mutua and other county officials.

MAKUENI HEALTH WORKERS SHARPEN EMERGENCY SKILLS THROUGH SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC TRAINING

The Government of Makueni County has intensified efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare services through a specialized Pediatric Emergency Medicine Skills Workshop held in the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital on Friday bringing together nurses, clinicians, medical officers and consultants from across the county.

The two-day training focused on enhancing emergency response and trauma management for children, equipping healthcare workers with advanced practical skills in Pediatric Trauma Life Support (PTLS) and Point of Care Ultrasound Clinical Integration.

Participants underwent hands-on sessions on airway management, trauma procedures, shock management, ultrasound scanning, fracture assessment and emergency clinical decision-making.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with international medical experts and partners including The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, with facilitators guiding participants through simulation exercises and practical emergency response scenarios.

The initiative is expected to improve the quality of emergency pediatric care across health facilities in Makueni, boosting the capacity of frontline health workers to handle critical cases and save lives.

900 STUDENTS GRADUATE UNDER 2JIAJIRI PROGRAMME AS MAKUENI EXPANDS SKILLS TRAINING

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday led the graduation of 900 trainees from Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across Makueni County during the inaugural Makueni–KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri Programme graduation ceremony held at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Education Centre (MIVEC).

The graduation marked the completion of a KES 60 million partnership between the Government of Makueni and the KCB Foundation to equip young people with technical and entrepreneurial skills through the 2Jiajiri Programme.

Governor Mutula said the county has invested more than KES 80 million in VTC infrastructure over the last three years under CIDP III.

The partnership delivered solar-powered boreholes, water and electricity connections, modern training equipment, renovated workshops, and upgraded computer laboratories in several VTCs across the county.

Out of the 900 trainees enrolled in the programme, 831 graduated successfully. Among them, 264 earned First Class Honours while 567 attained Ordinary Passes in different technical courses.

Governor Mutula announced that the county will issue starter toolkits to all First Class Honours graduands. He also directed the Department of ICT, Education and Internship to establish the Makueni 2Jiajiri Alumni Network within 90 days to strengthen networking and market access for graduates.

The Governor further confirmed that the county has allocated funds to continue the programme in the 2026/2027 Financial Year as part of its strategy to expand youth empowerment and economic growth through vocational training.

KCB Foundation Head of Programme Joblin Omani, Members of the County Assembly led by Speaker Douglas Mbilu, and the Clerk of the County Assembly attended the event.

MAKUENI BOOSTS CHILD EMERGENCY CARE THROUGH ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP

Makueni County has strengthened its efforts to improve child healthcare services through a new partnership with Israel focused on pediatric emergency and trauma care training for local health workers.

Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, on Thursday visited the Makueni County Referral Hospital to launch a pediatric emergency medicine skills workshop aimed at enhancing child healthcare services in the county.

The training is being facilitated by experts from Hadassah University Medical Center and The Hebrew University. The seminar focuses on pediatric trauma care and seeks to strengthen the ability of healthcare workers to respond to children in emergency and stress situations while promoting knowledge exchange between the institutions.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the partnership places Makueni on the international map in health innovation and health capability. He urged healthcare practitioners to fully utilize the opportunity, saying residents deserve quality healthcare services.

Ambassador Behar l described the partnership as the beginning of broader collaborations between Israel and Makueni. He said the training is intended to enhance the county’s healthcare capacity and improve preparedness for accurate emergency response in pediatric trauma care.

MAKUENI HANDS OVER MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT TO BOOST FRUIT FARMING.

The County Government has handed over modern agricultural equipment to trained service providers under the Sema Kenya 2 Project in a move aimed at strengthening mango and avocado farming.

The initiative, funded by the European Union through CIHEAM Bari is targeting wards known for high mango and avocado fruit production.

During the exercise led by CECM Nicholas Nzioka and attended by Felistus Mutune, beneficiaries received knapsack sprayers, pruning saws, aluminium ladders, loopers, fruit pickers and secateurs to support farmers with turn on efficient and modern farm services.

Nzioka noted that the equipment will improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and increase household incomes in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development agenda.

900 2JIAJIRI PROGRAMME STUDENTS SET TO GRADUATE

There is a celebratory mood as a procession officially ushered in the 2Jiajiri Programme graduation ceremony, where 900 trainees from Vocational Training Centres across Makueni County are on Thursday celebrating a major milestone in their skills development journey.

The colourful procession was led by the County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Education and Internship, Japheth Mang’oka, together with the Chief Officer for Education and Internship, Irene Makau, alongside county officials and trainers.

The ceremony marks the culmination of months of intensive training under the transformative 2Jiajiri initiative, aimed at equipping youth with practical and market-driven skills for self-reliance and employment.

The programme is a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and the KCB Foundation, working together to empower youth through technical and vocational training, entrepreneurship support, and skills development opportunities.

Families, partners, and stakeholders have gathered in Wote to witness the celebration of resilience, talent, and the county’s continued commitment to empowering young people through technical and vocational training.

#2Jiajiri#VTCGraduation#SkillsForLife#Makueni

GOVERNOR MUTULA HOSTS JUDICIARY LEADERS ON MATILIKU LAW COURT PROJECT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday hosted High Court Judge Hon. Justice Onyiego John Nyabuto and Chief Magistrate Hon. Peter Gesora during a courtesy visit at his office.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between the County Government and the Judiciary, particularaly the proposed construction of the Matiliku Law Court. The judicial leaders sought the County Government’s support in facilitating land acquisition for the project.

Governor Mutula reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing access to justice, pledging to support the initiative by ensuring that suitable land is identified, secured, and made available for the construction of the court

MAKUENI’S EFFORTS IN REDUCING MATERNAL DEATHS GETS MAJOR BOOST AS AMPLI-PPHI PROJECT RECORDS SUCCESS

Makueni County’s efforts to combat maternal deaths received a major boost following the successful implementation of the Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PPHI) project.

The project’s achievements were highlighted on Thursday during a dissemination meeting held at Kusyombunguo Hotel, where stakeholders gathered to review progress, share implementation experiences, and discuss sustainability plans after the project’s closure.

The meeting, convened through a collaboration between the Department of Health Services and Jhpiego, was led by Country Director Paul Nyachae alongside the AMPLI-PPHI project team.

Supported by donor agency Unitaid, the programme has been implemented in Makueni since 2022 with the aim of accelerating adoption of innovative solutions to prevent and manage postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally.

Among the interventions introduced in the county include Heat Stable Carbetocin for prevention of PPH, calibrated drapes for accurate measurement of blood loss after childbirth, and the World Health Organization’s First Response Bundle for comprehensive PPH management.

Speaking during the meeting, Health Services County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua commended the project for significantly improving maternal health outcomes in the county.

She described Heat Stable Carbetocin as “a savior” in reducing maternal mortality, noting that Makueni had recorded zero maternal deaths in 2023 and 2024, with no maternal deaths reported so far in 2026.

Mutua said the county government had already taken steps to sustain the gains made through the project by procuring calibrated drapes, Heat Stable Carbetocin, Tranexamic acid and Misoprostol drugs used in prevention and management of postpartum hemorrhage.

The project reached 36 health facilities across the county, where over 1,127 healthcare providers were trained to strengthen maternal healthcare skills and emergency response.

Additionally, 187 Community Health Promoters (CHPs), 57 community influencers, and 40 Area Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs) were capacity-built, collectively reaching more than 137,983 residents with key maternal health messages.

Dr. Harvey Mulei noted that before the introduction of Heat Stable Carbetocin in Makueni, the drug was largely inaccessible due to its high cost and limited availability at the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

He said the price had since dropped significantly from Sh2,700 to Sh95, making the lifesaving drug more affordable and accessible to health facilities.

Paul Nyachae, acknowledged Makueni’s leadership and collaboration in propelling the innovations in the county and beyond.

COUNTY ROLLS OUT RAPID ROAD REHABILITATION TO RESTORE ACCESS ACROSS MAKUENI

The Government of Makueni County has launched a rapid response programme to rehabilitate damaged roads following recent heavy rains, with CECM for Infrastructure, Transport , Public Works, Housing and Energy Eng. Peter Mumo leading inspection and intervention works in Ukia and Kasikeu wards.

The exercise will include murraming, grading, installation of bumps, and construction of water drifts and tunnels to improve drainage and road durability. Key areas inspected include Muthekeni in Ukia, Muani and Kilea Primary School roads, and sections near Chief Kiamba Dam water pan in Kasikeu, all aimed at restoring access, especially for learners and local communities.

The county has committed to continuous works across all wards, including weekend operations, to ensure affected areas are reopened and transport is normalized, easing movement for residents, businesses and school-going children.