News

NGAAKAA RESIDENTS REAP BENEFITS OF NEARBY HEALTH FACILITY THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

For 27-year-old Esther Mutheu of Ngaakaa Village in Makindu Ward, the birth of her daughter, Zawadi, marked more than a personal milestone, it highlighted the impact of accessible healthcare services within her community.

On Tuesday, a beaming Esther brought her week-old baby to Ngaakaa Health Centre for regular check up. The facility, established earlier this year through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, World Vision and Mountain Blue Foundation , has become a lifeline for residents seeking quality healthcare closer to home.

Esther delivered her baby at the facility on June 14 and says the experience was smooth and reassuring. Located just a 20-minute walk from her homestead, the health centre has significantly reduced the distance residents previously travelled to access essential medical services.

The World Health Organization recommends that health facilities be located within a maximum distance of five kilometres or about a one-hour walk from the communities they serve. In Makueni, efforts by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration to expand access to primary healthcare are helping bring services even closer to residents, ensuring timely access to routine care, maternal health services and emergency treatment.

According to Esther, labour pains began at around 2 a.m. A quick phone call to a boda boda rider enabled her to reach the facility in good time. Upon arrival, she was attended to promptly by healthcare workers who now reside at the facility, making her delivery experience both safe and memorable.

For Ngaakaa Health Centre Committee Chairperson Julius Musila, the facility’s presence carries deep personal significance. He recalls a painful experience years ago when his late father required urgent medical attention during the night.

At the time, the nearest facility was Makindu Sub-County Hospital, and the long journey proved costly.

Musila says the loss of his father remains a painful memory and believes that access to a nearby health facility could have made a difference.

Speaking during a routine visit by county health officials on Tuesday, residents praised Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for fostering partnerships that continue to improve healthcare access in rural communities. They urged the governor to pursue more collaborations aimed at enhancing service delivery and improving the well being of Makueni residents.

15 CATARACT PATIENTS DISCHARGED AFTER SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES AT KIBWEZI EAST SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL.

Fifteen cataract patients were discharged from Kibwezi East Sub-County Hospital on Thursday morning following successful surgeries conducted after thorough screening and pre-operative assessment by the hospital’s ophthalmic team.

The hospital organized a two-day eye screening exercise that began on Wednesday and identified 24 community members for cataract assessment.

Of these, 15 underwent cataract extraction surgery, while the remaining patients were screened, treated and provided with appropriate medication.

According to Ophthalmic Nursing Officer Thaddeus Mutie, all patients were in stable condition and responding well to post-operative care.

He noted that the post-operative review process included eye pad removal, eye cleaning, comprehensive ocular examinations, visual acuity assessments, prescription of medication and patient counseling to support recovery and promote proper eye care.

HUDUMA MASHINANI RETURNS TO KIKUMBULYU SOUTH, BENEFITING OVER 2,000 RESIDENTS

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Gender in collaboration with Huduma Kenya, on Wednesday rolled out the second phase of the Huduma Mashinani programme in Kikumbulyu South Ward, enabling 2,024 residents to access vital government services and documents.

Residents benefited from services including processing of birth and death certificates, national IDs, voter registration cards, certificates of good conduct, marriage certificates, affidavits, and other essential documents.

While inspecting the programme, CECM for Gender Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the initiative, under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior, will continue across all wards in the county to ensure every resident can conveniently access government services and documentation.

He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to bringing services closer to the people and eliminating barriers to access.

AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT HOLDS A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT TO ENHANCE DAIRY DEVELOPMENT

Makueni County has continued to strengthen its dairy sector through the implementation of the Artificial Insemination (AI) Programme, aimed at improving dairy herd genetics, increasing milk production, boosting household incomes, and enhancing food and nutrition security.

The workshop that involved County Veterenary Officers, Dairy Cooperative leaders and Service providers focused on semen quality assurance, supply chain management, breed improvement strategies and data recording and reporting systems.

Speaking during the AI Stakeholders Engagement Workshop, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Damaris Kavoi said the forum was convened to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and improve the efficiency of AI service delivery across the county.

During the forum, organized dairy groups received grants from the County Government to strengthen their dairy enterprises, enhance productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farming households.

Additionally, participants also reviewed programme performance, shared experiences and lessons learnt, discussed animal health interventions, and evaluated the implementation of the e-Voucher Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination programme.

The meeting was attended by Chief Officers Felistus Mutune and Japheth Kiminza, together with key stakeholders in the dairy value chain.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI ON WEDNESDAY LED A COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE IN KASIKEU.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Wednesday led a community empowerment initiative in Kasikeu, distributing tents, seats and sporting equipment to support community groups and youth development.

The equipment is intended to strengthen community activities and support income-generating initiatives.Mulili urged residents to organize themselves into registered groups to benefit from the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF).

Through the fund, eligible groups can access a minimum allocation of Ksh 50,000, with opportunities for increased support based on growth and accountability.

The initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., administration which continues to prioritize grassroots empowerment, economic inclusion and youth development across Makueni County.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Wednesday received a project handover certificate following the successful implementation of a healthcare partnership between the Government of Makueni County and ENI Kenya. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, substantial progress has been made in strengthening critical components of maternal, newborn, and emergency healthcare services across multiple levels of care, including Kambimawe Dispensary, the Blood Satellite Unit, and Makueni County Referral Hospital. The partnership also supported extensive training and capacity-building initiatives for healthcare workers.

As a result, prematurity-related deaths at the Makueni County Referral Hospital have significantly reduced following improvements in neonatal care.

The Governor thanked ENI Kenya for its continued support, while ENI Kenya Managing Director Daniela Morra commended the county government for its transparency and successful implementation of the project.

During the handover ceremony held in Nairobi, discussions focused on strengthening future collaborations, particularly in advancing pediatric healthcare and enhancing animal feed production initiatives targeting farmer groups within the county.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Tuesday issued tents and chairs to six self-help groups in Kitundu, Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, to support their community initiatives and income-generating activities.

While presiding over the handover ceremony, the Governor encouraged residents to unite and form groups. He emphasized the importance of pooling resources and efforts so that communities can benefit collectively through cooperative societies.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SALUTES COUNTY WORKERS AS MAKUENI MARKS AFRICA PUBLIC SERVICE DAY

Makueni County on Tuesday marked Africa Public Service Day by recognizing outstanding departments, agencies, and employees, while issuing appointment, confirmation, re-designation, and promotion letters to hundreds of public servants.

Speaking during the celebrations, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. commended county workers for their contribution to development and improved service delivery across the county.

The county issued recruitment, confirmation, re-designation, and promotion letters to staff. Public Service Board Chairperson Benjamin Kioko Kasamba said the board had processed 85 new appointments, confirmed 179 permanent staff members, re-designated 11 officers, and approved 128 promotions.

Governor Kilonzo urged public servants to uphold integrity, dignity, and excellence in their work. He pledged to reward exemplary employees through the county’s new rewards and sanctions framework while addressing historical workplace injustices.

He congratulated the newly appointed and promoted staff, encouraging all workers to use their positions to positively impact the lives of residents.

Addressing the public servants, Governor Kilonzo expressed his appreciation for their dedication and services.

ADVANCING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE WATER SOLUTIONS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Project Maji Technical Director sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes across the county.

The partnership will support the rehabilitation of existing boreholes, drilling and installation of new ones, with all systems designed to be solar-powered and tokenized to ensure communities have reliable access to water at all times. Through joint implementation, the partnership aims to deliver sustainable water solutions and improve the livelihoods of Makueni residents.

MAKUENI-NEW KCC DEAL PROMISES BETTER MILK PRICES FOR DAIRY FARMERS

Makueni County has taken a major step towards transforming its dairy sector after Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with New Kenya Co-operative Creameries (New KCC).

The partnership will guarantee dairy farmers a reliable market for their milk, while providing value addition, farmer training, improved breeding programmes, and up-to-date milk pricing information. The initiative aims to strengthen linkages between farmers and markets and unlock the county’s dairy value chain.

Speaking during the signing, New KCC Managing Director Joseph Malel Choge emphasized quality-based pricing, noting that milk from Makueni is expected to attract premium prices due to its superior quality and nutritional content.

The MoU is also expected to have a multi-sectoral impact on health, agriculture, finance, and education, including supplying nutritious milk to schools to improve learners’ health and nutrition.