News

GOVERNOR MUTULA MEETS YOUTH LEADERS, CHARTS FOR GREATER YOUTH INVOLVEMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth inclusion following a consultative meeting with youth leaders drawn from all six sub-counties to discuss solutions to challenges facing young people.

The meeting, attended by representatives of youth groups and associations and led by Makueni University Students Association chairperson Daniel Kisilu , focused on increasing youth participation in county governance, including budget planning, employment, internships, scholarships, and programmes to address drug and substance abuse.

Governor Mutula directed the Directorate of Youth Affairs to establish an 11-member advisory board comprising representatives from all six sub-counties and persons with disabilities to champion youth interests. He also pledged affirmative action in future county employment opportunities while urging young leaders to engage government through established legal and governance frameworks.

The consultative forum forms part of the county government’s efforts to strengthen youth engagement and promote inclusive development.

EASTERN RC LAUDS MAKUENI’S SECURITY COLLABORATION

Eastern Regional Commissioner Jacob Ouma Muganda has praised the working relationship between the Makueni County Government and security agencies, saying the collaboration has strengthened peace, security and service delivery.

Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday, Muganda urged continued cooperation between the two levels of government to advance development and improve the livelihoods of residents.

Governor Mutula, meanwhile, raised concerns over rising human-wildlife conflict, vandalism of public infrastructure and illegal sand harvesting cartels, calling for concerted action by security agencies.

He also urged authorities to embrace dialogue in resolving social and political disputes instead of using force.

The governor commended local security agencies for their support, citing the success of the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme as an example of effective collaboration.

Mutula further linked cases of gender-based violence, suicide and family disputes to unresolved land succession conflicts, saying the county had initiated interventions to address the problem and appealed for support from security agencies.

MAKUENI TO EXTEND MOBILITY SUPPORT TO 300 MORE PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The Makueni County Government will provide assistive devices to 300 more persons with disabilities next month under its partnership with Hope Mobility Kenya, as the two institutions deepen efforts to improve mobility and access to rehabilitation services.

The commitment was reaffirmed during a consultative meeting on Wednesday between County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Catherine Katuti, county officials and representatives from Hope Mobility Kenya.

The outreach programme will provide beneficiaries with properly fitted assistive devices, including wheelchairs, crutches, elbow crutches and other mobility aids. The exercise will also include follow-up assessments for previous beneficiaries to evaluate the condition of their devices and ensure they continue to meet users’ mobility needs.

As part of the collaboration, Hope Mobility Kenya donated 10 auxiliary crutches and 20 walking frames to the county to strengthen support for residents requiring mobility assistance.

ECM Kyoni said more than 700 persons with disabilities have benefited from assistive devices and rehabilitation services since the partnership was established.

The programme will also enhance local capacity through the training of 15 artisans and 10 healthcare workers drawn from sub-county hospitals. The trainees will receive skills in the fitting, maintenance and repair of assistive devices to improve access to services at the community level.

The ECM said the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of promoting inclusion, equal access to services and improved quality of life for persons with disabilities across Makueni County.

NEW KIKUMINI MATERNITY WING SET TO QUADRUPLE DELIVERY CAPACITY.

The Makueni County Government has commissioned a new maternity wing at Kikumini Health Centre, a move expected to significantly improve maternal healthcare services and increase the facility’s delivery capacity.

For years, Kikumini Health Centre has recorded an average of six deliveries every month.

With the completion of the new maternity wing, the facility is now expected to handle up to 25 deliveries monthly, providing expectant mothers with improved access to quality maternal care.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili commended healthcare workers for their dedication to serving residents, noting that the county has continued to invest in expanding access to healthcare.

On average, every Makueni resident has a health facility within four to five kilometres, in line with internationally accepted standards for geographical access to primary healthcare.

Mulili also highlighted the county’s efforts to strengthen the referral system through the centralisation of ambulance dispatch services and the introduction of a free ambulance programme.

Under the programme, she said, no Makueni resident referred by a clinician will be required to pay for ambulance transport to another health facility, whether within or outside the county.

Mulili was accompanied by Ministry of Health officials led by Dr. Edward Serem, representatives of the Government of Finland, county government officials and several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

GOVERNOR MUTULA MOVES TO RESTORE LOST MIDDLE EAST MANGO MARKET.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced plans to restore the county’s lost mango export market in the Middle East after concerns over chemical residues and seed bugs in exported mangoes disrupted access to the market during the previous mango season.

Speaking on Tuesday when Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Kipronoh Ronoh paid him a courtesy call at his office, Governor Mutula said the county was working with the national government to address export challenges and reopen lucrative markets, particularly in Oman.

PS Ronoh said the Ministry of Agriculture was committed to partnering with Makueni County to ensure farmers benefit from improved market access, compliance with export requirements, and enhanced value for their produce.

The leaders also discussed plans to expand commercial agriculture in the county through the distribution of coffee seedlings to farmers in Makueni’s highlands, alongside sunflower and cotton seeds to promote crop diversification.

The initiatives are aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, creating new income opportunities for farmers, and strengthening Makueni’s agricultural economy.

MUTULA RANKED FOURTH BEST GOVERNOR AS MAKUENI POSTS STRONG INFOTRAK PERFORMANCE.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has been ranked fourth best-performing governor in Kenya in the latest InfoTrak CountyTrak Performance Index 2026, reinforcing the county’s reputation as one of the country’s top performers in governance and service delivery.

The survey, released on Tuesday, gave Mutula a 66 per cent approval rating, placing him in a tie for fourth position nationally with Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga. He trails Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, who topped the rankings with 68 percent, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, who both scored 67 per cent.

The latest rating marks a significant improvement for Mutula, whose approval stood at 57 per cent in the 2024 CountyTrak survey, reflecting growing public confidence in his administration midway through his first term in office.

The report also highlights Makueni’s strong showing across several indicators used to assess county performance.

Makueni was ranked the second-best county nationally in public participation, scoring 48 per cent, behind only Elgeyo Marakwet. The county maintained its standing among Kenya’s leaders in involving residents in governance despite a slight decline from the 56 per cent recorded in the previous survey.

In sectoral performance, Makueni ranked among the country’s top counties in agriculture and health, posting 46 per cent in both sectors. It also recorded strong scores in governance indicators, placing among the leading counties in the management of public funds, prevention of corruption, use of technology in service delivery, decentralisation of county services and efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.

The findings suggest that Makueni continues to distinguish itself in areas that directly affect service delivery and citizen engagement, strengthening its position as one of the country’s best performing devolved units.

The CountyTrak Performance Index 2026 is based on interviews with 36,200 respondents across all 47 counties conducted between January and May this year.

MAKUENI BREAKS GROUND FOR SH90 MILLION KENYA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE CAMPUS.

Construction of a Sh90 million Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) campus in Makueni County began Tuesday, with leaders saying the institution will strengthen agricultural training, create jobs and position the county as a regional hub for modern farming.

The Makueni campus, the 10th branch of the Kenya School of Agriculture, will serve the Lower Eastern region and is expected to open its first phase by November.

Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony at Kwakathoka, Makueni Gov. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. described the project as a major investment in the county’s people, particularly youth and farmers, amid rising demand for agricultural skills.

The governor said the institution would become a center for innovation, research and technology transfer, helping farmers adopt modern agricultural practices to address climate change and changing market demands.

He said the project would also stimulate the local economy by creating jobs during construction and operation, supporting local businesses and attracting investment into the county.

Mutula urged the contractor to prioritize local labor and locally available construction materials to maximize economic benefits for residents.

Principal Secretary for Agriculture Paul Kipronoh Ronoh said the project was made possible after sustained lobbying by the county government through the State Department for Agriculture.

Ronoh commended Mutula for his hands-on approach to development, saying the partnership demonstrated the importance of collaboration between the national and county governments.

He said sustainable agricultural development remains critical to Kenya’s economic growth and urged young people and farmers to embrace agriculture as a viable economic enterprise through a change in mindset.

He added that students enrolled at the institution would have an opportunity to benefit from an existing partnership with the United Kingdom government that offers paid agricultural internship opportunities abroad.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Ag. County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Damaris Kavoi, County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Education and Internship Japheth Musyoka Mang’oka, Muvau/Kikumini MCA Elizabeth Kawembe Mutinda, Thange MCA Erick Musyoki Katumo and other county and national government officials.

PARTNERSHIPS DRIVE MAKUENI’S HEALTHCARE TRANSFORMATION AS NEW MATERNITY, OUTPATIENT FACILITIES OPEN.

Partnerships remain a cornerstone of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development agenda, anchored on the belief that sustainable development is best achieved through collaboration between governments, communities and development partners.

In line with this vision, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Tuesday commissioned a new maternity wing at Kako Health Center, developed through a partnership between the Governments of Finland and Kenya and the County Government of Makueni.

Mulili also officially opened a new outpatient block at the facility, constructed by the County Government of Makueni to enhance access to quality healthcare services.

The new facilities underscore Governor Mutula’s administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage by improving the quality of healthcare services and strengthening the county’s referral system.

Makueni records between 20,000 and 21,000 births annually, with approximately 80 per cent of deliveries taking place in the county’s health facilities, reflecting growing public confidence in the health system.

Mulili is also expected to commission the Kikumini Maternity Wing in Nguu Masumba Ward today.

The project was funded through a partnership involving the Government of Finland, the Ministry of Health and the County Government of Makueni.

Mulili was accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Health led by Dr. Edward Serem, representatives of the Government of Finland, County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joyce Mutua, County Executive Committee Member Nicholas Nzioka, area MCA Dennis Musyoka, nominated MCA Elizabeth Mutindi and other county officials.

FLLoCA WATER PROJECTS ADVANCE WATER SECURITY IN MAVINDINI AND KITISE

The Government of Makueni County is making significant strides in strengthening water security through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, with two major water infrastructure projects nearing completion in Mavindini and Kitise wards.

In Mavindini Ward, the Ksh 13 million Athi–Mavindini Water Project is now 95 percent complete. Once operational, it will benefit more than 6,500 residents by reducing the distance to water sources. The works include construction of a 100m³ sump, rehabilitation of the rising main and water treatment plant, installation of four kilometres of irrigation pipeline with 40 tees, and three kilometres of distribution pipeline. CCTV cameras and security lighting have also been installed to safeguard the facility against vandalism.

In Kitise Ward, construction of the Ksh 15 million Londokwe Earth Dam has reached 92 percent completion under Phase I. The works include excavation of the reservoir, construction of a 180-metre embankment and a 120-metre spillway. Upon completion later this month, the dam will store more than 60,000 cubic metres of water, improving access for domestic use, livestock watering and other livelihood activities.

The two projects reflect the County Government’s continued investment in climate-resilient water infrastructure, improving access to safe and reliable water while supporting livelihoods and sustainable development across Makueni

MAKUENI SIGNS DEAL TO BOOST EDUCATION, JOBS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Edu-WISE project, an initiative aimed at expanding access to education and employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.

The programme will be implemented in Nduluku, MIVEC and Kisingo vocational training centres.

Under the project, teachers and staff will receive training on disability inclusion, Kenyan Sign Language and life skills, while training centres will be equipped with adaptive learning materials and improved accessibility to support inclusive learning.

The project will also award 105 scholarships to vulnerable students with disabilities in Makueni to support vocational training, internships and small business start-ups. Private sector firms will be trained on disability inclusion and participate in inclusive job fairs to increase employment opportunities for graduates.

Speaking during the signing, Governor Kilonzo thanked the development partners for choosing Makueni, saying the initiative would improve the lives of persons with disabilities through better education, skills development and access to jobs.

Edu-WISE is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and is implemented by CEFA in partnership with several organizations, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.