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๐Ž๐ฑ๐Ÿ๐š๐ฆ ๐„๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ž๐ฌ ๐๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐Œ๐š๐ค๐ฎ๐ž๐ง๐ข ๐‚๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ ๐”๐ง๐๐ž๐ซ ๐ƒ๐š๐ง๐ข๐๐š ๐’๐ญ๐ซ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐ข๐œ ๐๐š๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐…๐ซ๐š๐ฆ๐ž๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค

๐–๐จ๐ญ๐ž ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ—๐ญ๐ก , ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ – Oxfam Kenya is exploring potential collaboration with the Government of Makueni County under the upcoming Danida Strategic Partnerships framework for 2027โ€“2032, focusing on climate resilience, inclusive economic development and stronger local institutions.

The proposed collaboration seeks to strengthen fruit cooperatives by improving aggregation, coordination and market access, including the development of strong county-level and national apex structures.

Other priorities include enhancing cooperative operations through annual strategic planning, strengthening business models and exploring innovations to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Kalamba.

The engagement also highlighted the importance of promoting the participation of women and young people across the fruit value chain, while increasing the visibility of Makueniโ€™s cooperative enterprises in national and international markets.

During deliberations , Governor Mutula kilonzo Jr. noted Market access as major concern for farmers in the county.He emphasised his administrationโ€™s commitment to securing reliable markets for Makueniโ€™s agricultural produce.

The proposed Oxfam Kenyaโ€“Makueni County collaboration could build on existing county initiatives by connecting stronger cooperatives, improved governance and inclusive business development with wider market opportunities.

The Oxfam team was led by Ag. Executive Director Benter Awour.

๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐˜‚๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ถ ๐—˜๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐——๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ถ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ง๐—ผ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—บ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด

๐—ž๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ต๐—ผ๐—ธ๐—ฎ: ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฒ๐˜๐—ต, ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ ~ Farmers in Makueni are set to benefit from more effective, practical and technology-driven agricultural training as the county strengthens extension services to boost farm productivity and food security.

On Friday, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili handed over Digital Agricultural Resource Kits (DarKits), funded by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), to support Agripreneurs in delivering Technology, Innovations and Management Practices (TIMPs) training across the county.

The kits comprise smart tablets, power banks, backpacks and smart projectors to enhance digital learning, practical demonstrations and the sharing of modern farming knowledge with farmers.

Each ward will receive a tablet, backpack and power bank, while each sub-county will receive a smart projector for shared use across its wards.

Mulili said the initiative would bring agricultural knowledge closer to farmers, accelerate the adoption of modern farming technologies and empower them to increase production, build climate resilience and improve their livelihoods.

The equipment will be used by Agripreneurs under the supervision of ward officers and mentors to strengthen farmer education and promote better farming practices.

The handover meeting was attended by Agriculture CECM Japheth Mangโ€™oka and Senior and technical officers from the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and CooperativeDevelopment.

๐†๐จ๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐ซ ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐š ๐ˆ๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ž๐œ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ƒ๐ซ๐š๐ข๐ง๐š๐ ๐ž ๐–๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐ฌ ๐€๐ญ ๐Š๐ฐ๐š ๐Š๐š๐ฏ๐ž๐ฌ๐š

๐Š๐ข๐ข๐ฆ๐š ๐Š๐ข๐ฎ ๐Š๐š๐ฅ๐š๐ง๐ณ๐จ๐ง๐ข ๐–๐š๐ซ๐, ๐Š๐ข๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐ž; ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐ญ๐ก, ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ~ Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday evening inspected ongoing drainage works at Kwa Kavesa along the Ngiiniโ€“Kalanzoni Road, aimed at improving all-weather connectivity and easing movement for residents of Malili Sub-Ward.

The project features five lines of 900mm-diameter culverts, gabion protection, murram backfilling and gravel patching on both approaches.

The road surface will also be strengthened through murram spreading, watering and compaction.

Upon completion, the works will improve access between Ngiini, Kalanzoni and neighbouring settlements, supporting safer travel, trade and local livelihoods.

He was accompanied by his deputy, Lucy Mulili.

๐‘ด๐’‚๐’Œ๐’–๐’†๐’๐’Š ๐‘ผ๐’๐’—๐’†๐’Š๐’๐’” ๐‘ญ๐’Š๐’—๐’†-๐’€๐’†๐’‚๐’“ ๐‘บ๐’•๐’“๐’‚๐’•๐’†๐’ˆ๐’š ๐‘ป๐’ ๐‘ฐ๐’Ž๐’‘๐’“๐’๐’—๐’† ๐‘พ๐’‚๐’•๐’†๐’“ ๐’‚๐’๐’… ๐‘บ๐’‚๐’๐’Š๐’•๐’‚๐’•๐’Š๐’๐’ ๐‘จ๐’„๐’„๐’†๐’”๐’”

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday launched the Makueni County Water and Sanitation Strategy and Investment Plan 2025โ€“2030, a five-year roadmap to guide investments in water infrastructure, sanitation services and climate resilience across the county

The strategy seeks to address persistent challenges, including inadequate funding, climate change and water governance gaps, while strengthening coordination among the county government, national government, development partners and communities.

It prioritizes expanding access to clean and reliable water, improving sanitation and hygiene in schools and health facilities, strengthening water institutions, and promoting sustainable water resource management.

The plan also emphasizes gender equality, recognizing the disproportionate burden of water insecurity on women and girls, while highlighting the importance of irrigation in enhancing food security and livelihoods in the largely arid and semi-arid county.

Developed collaboratively by national and county government technical teams, with support from the World Bank and stakeholder input, the strategy provides a roadmap for targeted investments towards equitable, inclusive and sustainable water and sanitation services across Makueni County.

Makueni Marks Global Hand Washing Day at Malili

Makueni County joined the rest of the world in marking Global Hand Washing Day during an event held at Malili, led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.

The event highlighted the importance of proper hand washing with soap and clean water in preventing diseases, promoting hygiene and safeguarding public health.

Governor Mutula called for the adoption of regular hand washing practices in homes, schools, health facilities and public spaces as part of efforts to build healthier communities.

๐—ž๐—ถ๐—น๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฒ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฐ๐—ผ ๐—š๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜€ ๐—ž๐˜€๐—ต. ๐Ÿญ๐—บ ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜

๐’๐š๐ฅ๐š๐ฆ๐š, ๐Š๐ข๐ฅ๐จ๐ฆ๐ž: ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐ญ๐ก, ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ~ Kilome Farmers SACCO has received a KSh1 million matching Grant through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to improve liquidity and expand access to affordable agricultural credit for farmers and common interest groups.

The grant, issued under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration, will support the SACCOโ€™s growth, promote savings and improve access to credit, enabling members to invest in productive economic activities and adoption of Technology Innovation Management Practices (TIMPs).

The SACCO has 708 individual members, comprising 362 women and 346 men, alongside 26 registered institutions and 60 active Common Interest Groups.

Speaking during opening of the SACCO office, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr said the programme seeks to strengthen ward-based financial institutions, empower farmers and women, and promote sustainable livelihoods across Makueni County.

The initiative is expected to enhance financial inclusion, strengthen farmersโ€™ economic capacity and support inclusive, community-led development.

๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ถ๐—ผ๐˜‚ ๐——๐—ฎ๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐˜† ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐Ÿฑ.๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿณ๐—  ๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜

๐Œ๐š๐ค๐ข๐จ๐ฎ; ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“๐ญ๐ก, ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ~ Makiou Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society is set for a major boost in dairy production and farmersโ€™ earnings following a KSh5.47 million Enterprise Development Fund grant issued by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr to support solar power installation at its milk cooling centres and construction of an animal feeds centre in Kilome Sub-County.

The investment funded through NAVCDP will lower electricity costs, improve milk preservation and ensure farmers access affordable, quality livestock feeds to sustain production during dry seasons.

Serving 324 registered farmers, the cooperative operates milk cooling centres at Kwakingee and Lumu, alongside a newly established milk collection centre at Kasikeu Market, expanding access to milk collection services.

Governor Mutula said the County Government remains committed to empowering farmer cooperatives through strategic investments that improve productivity, strengthen market access and increase household incomes.

In the event that was attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, Govenor Mutula further noted that supporting livestock health, affordable feeds and efficient milk handling is key to building resilient dairy enterprises.

๐—ช๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฆ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜‚๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐˜๐˜† ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜€ ๐—ถ๐—ป ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜„๐—ฎ ๐—ฎ๐˜€ ๐Ÿฏ๐Ÿฌ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—บ ๐—ฃ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฑ๐˜€ ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—ฆ๐—ต๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ

๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐˜„๐—ฎ: ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฑ๐˜๐—ต, ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฒ ~ Thirty farm ponds with a combined capacity of 7,500 cubic metres have been excavated in Marwa, Kilome Sub-County, providing a vital water reserve to support small-scale irrigation during dry spells.

On Thursday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspected different water ponds in Kiima Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward, highlighting their role in strengthening climate resilience, conserving the environment and promoting sustainable farming practices to improve farmersโ€™ livelihoods.

Implemented through NAVCDP by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, the KSh11.78 million project targets 300 farmers across 936 hectares.

Beyond water harvesting, 30 lead farmers have been trained in climate-smart agriculture, while 11 local youths are engaged in terrace marking targeting 59.4 kilometres to control soil erosion and conserve moisture.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, Governor Mutula called for sustained community participation and responsible management of water and tree resources to secure lasting agricultural gains.

The initiative is expected to improve crop production, strengthen food security and create green jobs.

Makueni County Pledges Continued Training and Empowerment for Boda Boda Riders

14th October 2026- A mapping survey conducted in Makueni County in April and May 2026 has revealed significant gaps in licensing and insurance within the boda boda sector.

The survey, which mapped approximately 8,000 boda boda riders across the county, established that only 12% hold valid driving licences, while just 5.2 %have insurance cover. Harassment by police emerged as the leading challenge, cited by 68% of respondents, while 79.6% identified training as their most pressing support need.

Speaking during the Boda Boda Safety Prayer Day held at Greenpark in Wote, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, shared highlights of the survey findings and emphasised the need for enhanced road safety awareness, compliance with traffic regulations and continued engagement with riders to address sector challenges.

The County Government has pledged to continue supporting boda boda riders through training programmes on motorcycle and motor vehicle licensing, with six Wards set to benefit during the current financial year.

In addition, plans are underway for a stakeholder engagement meeting bringing together relevant government agencies and representatives of the boda boda sector to deliberate on the challenges facing riders and identify practical solutions to improve road safety and their welfare.

The riders were encouraged to access the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) through their organised groups to improve their livelihoods.

During the event, Eng.Kyoni also presented a Community-Based Organisation (CBO) certificate to the boda boda members marking a step towards strengthening the sectorโ€™s organisation and coordination.