News

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT MASS REGISTRATION FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVER

County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joyce Mutua on Tuesday officially launched the Makueni County Universal Healthcare registration exercise, which is being conducted across all clusters in the county.

The exercise, running from Tuesday through Friday, is designed to cushion vulnerable households. It targets more than 200,000 residents and will be implemented in phases to ensure as many eligible beneficiaries as possible are accommodated.

Mutua called on Makueni residents to turn out in large numbers for the registration. She noted that the process also includes Social Health Authority (SHA) mass registration through the Afya Yangu platform, updating of dependant records, identification of vulnerable households for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and proxy means testing.

She urged residents to carry their national identification cards, a mobile phone, and birth certificates for children.

Speaking during the launch, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource and Management Dr. Harvey Mulei said healthcare financing remains a costly undertaking. He emphasized that the Makueni County Government is committed to ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services while protecting families from the financial strain of out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Mutua, accompanied by Acting Chief Officer for Health Services Irene Makau, later visited Bosnia Dispensary, where they interacted with residents. Hundreds of locals turned out for the registration exercise.

MAKUENI MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

On Friday, the County Culture Directorate joined the world in celebrating International Mother Language Day at the Makueni University College, a constituent college of SEKU, Wote Campus, in a lively event that blended culture, creativity and technology.

The celebrations that were sparked by a call to unity through language, followed by colourful creative performances by students, with music, spoken word poetry, traditional dances, storytelling and comedy from across the country bringing the campus alive, reflecting Kenya’s rich linguistic diversity.

Speaking during the event, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Ag. CECM Nicholas Nzioka emphasized that revitalizing indigenous languages is key to cultural identity, education and inclusive development, urging youth to use digital platforms to preserve their mother tongues.

The UNESCO-endorsed International Mother Language Day promotes the celebration of indigenous languages, strengthens mother-tongue education, and encourages the use of digital platforms to preserve linguistic diversity.

Representing College Principal, Prof. Josephat Kimatu highlighted the university’s role in nurturing creativity, cultural pride and innovation among youth.

The event was attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, Culture, Music and the Arts Director Mutua Mulonzya, and other county officials, underscoring Makueni’s commitment to protecting linguistic heritage.

MAKUENI HOSTS INDIAN IRRIGATION TECH GIANT FOR TRANSFORMATIVE AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIP

Makueni County on Thursday welcomed a high-level delegation from Balson Polyplast Pvt. Ltd., a leading global irrigation technology company based in India, to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at transforming agriculture and sustainable energy in the region, like agricultural production,water management, fertigation, and renewable energy solutions including solar and wind power.

Speaking at the Makueni County Headquarters in Wote, Sitansu Sekhar Sarangi, Chief Operating Officer and head of the delegation, emphasized the importance of embracing green revolution technologies to combat the growing threat of climate change on global agriculture.

He pledged the company’s commitment to developing a 100-acre irrigation technology pilot and demonstration project in Makueni County.

Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili described the proposed irrigation technology as a timely game changer in advancing food security—not only in Makueni but across Kenya.

Her sentiments were echoed by Elizabeth Muli CECM Agriculture, Japheth Mang’oka, Ag. CECM for Water, and Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi Katete, who reaffirmed the county’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance sustainable development.

CECM Finance, Damaris Kavoi, and Tulimani MCA Kyalo Mumo also attended the meeting.

SH74 MILLION NUNGUNI MODERN MARKET PROJECT BEGINS

Nunguni, 19th February 2026 -Construction of the Sh74 million Nunguni Modern Market has officially begun following a site handover ceremony held on Thursday and presided over by Makueni County Chief Officer for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Jossylyn Mutua.

The project, funded under the 2025/2026 Financial Year at a cost of more than Sh74 million, is scheduled for completion within one year.

The new facility will provide modern, secure and well-organized trading spaces aimed at improving the working environment for traders in Nunguni.

Speaking during the handover, Dr. Mutua described the development as a key investment by the county government in strengthening local commerce and supporting small-scale entrepreneurs.

Once complete, the market is expected to improve sanitation, streamline business operations and enhance revenue collection, positioning Nunguni as a growing commercial centre.

BUILDING A CLIMATE-RESILIENT FUTURE FOR KITISE/KITHUKI

Construction of Londokwe Water Pan Project in Kitise/Kithuki Ward is steadily progressing, bringing renewed hope to a community long affected by recurring droughts and water scarcity.

Once complete, the water pan will harvest and store runoff from the seasonal Londokwe River, creating a reliable water source for 420 households. For many families, this means shorter distances in search of water, improved access for domestic use, better livestock health, and new opportunities for small-scale irrigation.

Implemented by the Environment and Climate Change Directorate under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program, the project significantly advances Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr water blueprint of ensuring that no resident walks more than two kilometres in search of water.

RESIDENTS PACK FORUMS AS COUNTY BUDGET TALKS ENTER SECOND PHASE

The second round of public participation forums began Tuesday across the county, drawing large crowds to ward-level meetings aimed at harmonising sub-ward proposals into unified ward development priorities.

In Kisau Kiteta Ward, more than 200 residents gathered for the day-long session, where they consolidated projects valued at KSh 33 million. Similar exercises are underway in all wards, with the engagements scheduled to run through Thursday.

Finance CECM Damaris Kavoi, who attended the Kisau Kiteta forum, praised the strong turnout, noting the active involvement of retired civil servants. She described their participation as a demonstration that citizens remain vital contributors to local development even after leaving public service.

Kavoi also commended residents for consistently ensuring that the voices of persons living with disabilities are included in the discussions, saying inclusive participation is key to equitable budgeting.

She further lauded Public Management Committees for their continued oversight of county projects and encouraged residents to utilise services offered by extension officers and other county staff stationed in the wards.

Participants in the ward, additionally prioritised development needs for Mbooni Kee Municipality.

Ward forums continue Wednesday, with special interest group sessions scheduled for Thursday. The Youth Public Participation forum will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the Diaspora forum is slated for 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., both via Zoom.

MAKUENI DEPUTY GOVERNOR INSPECTS SH13M WATER PROJECT IN THANGE

Makueni County deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Tuesday inspected the ongoing Sh13 million Water Project in Mbulutini, Thange Ward, in a bid to fast-track improved access to clean water.

Accompanied by area MCA Eric Katumo, the Deputy Governor assessed progress on the project, which is funded under the Flloca programme in partnership with the County Government of Makueni.

The project includes construction of a 100-cubic-metre distribution tank at Thange Market, additional 20,000-litre storage tanks for surrounding villages, and a sand dam within Thange Forest to boost water harvesting and groundwater recharge.

Thee project is expected to ease chronic water shortages in Thange and neighbouring areas once complete.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR PUSHES MAKUENICARE ROLLOUT IN THANGE

Makueni County Deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Tuesday intensified push for the rollout of Makuenicare (aka Mutula Care), urging residents of Thange Ward to register vulnerable households for the county-backed health cover programme.

Mulili said the initiative will provide 600 beneficiaries per ward with hospital cards, with the County Government of Makueni settling their medical bills. She called on local leaders and residents to ensure the most deserving families are enlisted.

The Deputy Governor also highlighted ongoing development projects, including strengthening the mango value chain through the Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant, as well as investments in rural roads and water infrastructure to boost service delivery.

She spoke in Thange Ward after attending condoling with Francisca Mauta Musau’s family.

MUANGINI DRIFT UPGRADE TO BOOST CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE AREA

The County Government of Makueni has intensified efforts to improve rural connectivity with the ongoing upgrade of the Muangini–Mbyani–Ngalani Road (Muangini Drift).

On Monday, County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy, Eng. Peter Mumo, inspected the spot improvement works aimed at ensuring all-weather access along the flood-prone section.

The project involves upgrading the Muangini Drift to enhance safety and ease movement for residents, traders, farmers, school children and emergency services, particularly during the rainy season when the area becomes impassable.

Funded by the county government and implemented by Stanfford Construction Company Limited, the project is part of a broader road improvement programme targeting better market access and stronger links between production zones.

KITUI BENCHMARKS MAKUENI ON DIGITAL FARM EXTENSION

A delegation from Kitui County on Monday benchmarked digital agricultural extension services in a courtesy visit to Makueni County, aimed at strengthening technology-driven service delivery to farmers.

The delegation, led by Kitui’s Agriculture CECM Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, was hosted by Makueni’s counterpart Liz Muli at the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development.

Technical and policy teams from both counties shared experiences on e-extension models, digital farmer registration, real-time advisory services, data use for decision-making, climate-smart agriculture and market linkages.

The discussions also touched on value chains such as mango, highlighting how digital platforms can support timely advisory and reduce post-harvest losses.

Also attended by Chief officers Jonathan Kambi (Livestock – Kitui), Japheth Kiminza (Livestok – Makueni) and Felistus Mutune (Agriculture – Makueni), the engagement is an indication that inter-county collaboration is a pathway to improved productivity, resilience and farmer incomes through modernized extension systems.