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GOVERNOR MUTULA REWARDS EXCELLENCE, CALLS FOR RECOGNITION OF OUTSTANDING COUNTY STAFF.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for a stronger culture of rewards and sanctions in the workplace, saying exceptional performance-especially work done beyond official mandates-should count toward promotions and recognition.

Speaking during an awards ceremony honoring public participation officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and other teams, the governor praised Makueni County’s top-performing units for elevating the county’s profile locally and internationally.

He singled out the Makueni County Fire Brigade for winning four consecutive trophies at the Annual Africa Fire Mission Kenya Symposium and competitions, describing the team as a model of discipline, innovation, and dedication.

Governor Mutula also raised concern over volunteers within the county government who have delivered stellar service without formal recognition. He challenged the Makueni Public Service Board to absorb such volunteers and formally recognize their contribution to public service.

The governor urged award-winning teams to leverage their success to build partnerships that enhance productivity, including seeking international collaborations and serving as ambassadors for Makueni County.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the governor’s sentiments, commending the fire brigade for consistently putting Makueni on the map year after year.

Makueni Public Service Board Chairperson Benjamin Kioko Kasamba announced plans to develop a policy to guide recognition of officers who excel in duties outside their job descriptions.

The teams used the occasion to present to the Governor trophies won in various categories during previous competitions.

During the ceremony, 19 Civic Education coordinators were promoted, while 36 officers received training certificates in environmental and social safeguards, occupational health, climate change, and disaster risk mainstreaming in project management.

SAME-DAY BIRTH CERTIFICATE ISSUANCE MARKS MILESTONE AT KIBWEZI HUDUMA MASHINANI OUTREACH

The Huduma Mashinani outreach programme on Friday recorded a significant milestone in Kibwezi Town, where 1,425 residents were served, with many leaving the venue with their birth certificates issued the same day. The exercise also attracted a large number of young people seeking national IDs and voter registration services, highlighting growing youth participation in civic processes.

The same-day processing of birth certificates marked the first for the Huduma Mashinani programme, made possible through the dedication of the Kibwezi Office of Births and Deaths, which ensured efficient service delivery throughout the day. Residents expressed satisfaction with the convenience of accessing multiple government services under one roof.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to taking Huduma Mashinani services to every ward to ensure no resident is left behind.

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS MANGO MARKET LINKAGES TO BOOST FARMER INCOMES

With an annual mango productionl estimated at over 200 million Kilograms, the Department of Agriculture is intensifying efforts to ensure farmers gain better returns from their produce.

On Friday, the Department of Agriculture hosted Ward Administrators from across the county to discuss practical approaches to improving mango offtake and market access.

During the forum, it emerged that the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA) has been allocated 860 metric tonnes for purchase this season, with more than 700 metric tonnes already off taken.

While attending the meeting, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli emphasized the importance of organized farmer groups, noting that exporters and processors largely source mangoes through cooperatives.

Further, administrators were urged to mobilize farmers into joining cooperatives within their wards and actively link them to buyers.

The forum, attended by Governor’s Political Advisor Nzioki King’ola, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo (Agriculture), Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani (Trade) and Japheth Kiminza (Livestock), and MCFDMA CEO Joseph Kioko, aimed at strengthening coordinated marketing to empower farmers and enhance household incomes.

PARTNERSHIPS DRIVING MATERNAL HEALTH GAINS IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commended the Safaricom Foundation for its heavy investment in maternal and child health in Makueni County, saying the support demonstrates a strong commitment to saving lives and strengthening local healthcare systems.

Speaking during the commissioning of the county’s second-largest Mother and Child Unit, Governor Mutula said the partnership will ensure mothers receive skilled, dignified and quality healthcare services close to their homes.

He noted that the new facility is expected to significantly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths, cut down unnecessary referrals, and provide a safe and supportive environment for childbirth.

The Governor reaffirmed that his administration will continue to prioritize healthcare through sustained investment in modern infrastructure, essential medical equipment and competent human resources.

Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu revealed that Makueni has benefited from more than 100 development projects over the 20 years of partnership between the Foundation, counties and other institutions.

He added that boosting maternal healthcare remains a top priority for Safaricom Foundation, noting that Kibwezi East Sub County Hospital is set to benefit from a similar intervention.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the Governor’s sentiments, saying development partners are drawn to regions with strong and credible leadership.

Among those who also flanked the governor are MCAs from the health Committee, County Assembly clerk Kevin Mutuku,CECMs Joyce Mutua{ Health}, Damaris Kavoi { Finance}, Japheth Mang’oka{ Education} Chief Officers Dr. Harvey Mulei { Health Human resource, Management & Administration} Eng.Naomi Nthambi {Ag. CO Health Services} Eng. David Makau { Water}, Felistus Mutune { Office of the Governor} Irene Makau Mwilu {Education } among other county staff

NEW SULTAN HAMUD MATERNITY WING TO EASE CONGESTION, IMPROVE MATERNAL CARE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu on Friday officially commissioned the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing in a ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili , the county Assembly Health Committee,County assembly clerk Hon Ken Mutuku and members of the public.

The new 50-bed facility, now the second largest maternity unit in the County, marks a major boost for maternal and newborn care in the region. It replaces an overstretched 12-bed maternity wing that served patients from Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties.

According to Sultan Hamud Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mwangangi, congestion in the old unit forced mothers to share a single bed with their newborns.

Despite these challenges, the hospital recorded 168 successful deliveries in December last year alone, underscoring the urgent need for expanded maternity services.

The facility is a result of a partnership between the Makueni County Government and the Safaricom Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

The project aligns with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, which prioritizes donor coordination and the co-creation of community-driven projects to build a resilient local economy.

MAKUENI SET TO ROLL OUT MOBILE-BASED AGROECOLOGY SOIL HEALTH PROGRAMME

The Makueni County Department of Agriculture on Thursday convened a forum to roll out the KCEP CRAL SOIL/ILSA programme aimed at enhancing soil health and promoting agroecology through mobile-based access to farm inputs.

The three-year initiative, set to run from 2026 to 2028, brings together county administration officials, agricultural officers, agro-dealers, agroecology service providers, and KALRO. The programme will initially be implemented in three sub-counties, with Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers playing a key role in its rollout.

Supported by the European Union, the programme builds on Makueni County’s strong performance during the first phase of KCEP-CRAL. It targets 2,700 farmers for agroecology e-voucher inputs, while an additional 6,500 farmers will benefit from agroecology training. The initiative seeks to increase farm productivity, expand access to subsidized inputs, strengthen county agroecology systems, and improve food and nutrition security.

Speaking during the forum, CECM for Agriculture Elizabeth Muli said the initiative demonstrates the county government’s commitment to improving soil health, promoting sustainable agroecology practices, and empowering farmers through innovative, mobile-based input access.

On his part, KCEP-CRAL Eastern Region Coordinator Patrick Hinga said Makueni’s exemplary performance in earlier programme phases informed its selection, noting that the initiative will enhance farmer resilience, scale up agroecology adoption, and strengthen institutional capacity within the county.

BOOST FOR MATERNAL CARE AS SULTAN HAMUD GETS 50-BED MOTHER AND CHILD UNIT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is set to commission the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital on Friday.

The 50-bed maternity unit & the second largest mother-and-child facility in the county after the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital, is equipped with an in-built operating theatre, a newborn unit and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

The facility also features a labour ward with three delivery beds, enabling three women to deliver simultaneously. In addition, it includes prenatal and postnatal wards, a post-caesarean section ward, a gynaecology ward and a Kangaroo Mother Care unit.

On the same day, the Department of Health Services has organised a free medical camp that will offer outpatient services, screening for non-communicable diseases, cervical cancer screening and other essential health services.

The Mother and Child Hospital Unit is a partnership between the M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government. In December alone, 168 mothers delivered at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital. Despite limited space, medical staff successfully managed the mothers and their newborns with care.

TAKING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION FROM POLICY TO THE FIELD

In the face of unpredictable climate patterns affecting Makueni County, KALRO Kiboko and the Cereal Growers Association CGA) brought regulators, scientists and academia together to witness how science can strengthen food security.

The Wednesday high-level stakeholder engagement focused on Trecepta, a biotechnology jointly developed by KALRO and Bayer Crop Science to protect maize from above-ground insect pests while controlling weeds.

The forum, dubbed “Stawisha Mazao: A Tale of Two Harvests,” followed a Science Meets Policy Roundtable and featured an immersive field visit to a smallholder farmer’s plot and the KALRO Kiboko Confined Field Trial site.

Participants compared the realities farmers face when access to technology is delayed against the proven benefits of science-led innovation. The visit concluded with an on-site dialogue bringing together farmers, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and the media.

Attending the forum, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli said modern agricultural technologies are critical in lowering production costs and building farmer resilience amid climate stress.

KALRO Biotechnology Research Institute Director Dr. Martin Mwirigi emphasized that Trecepta combines proven traits to offer comprehensive protection, helping farmers achieve better yields sustainably.

The engagement marked a deliberate shift from boardroom discussions to field-based evidence, strengthening fact-driven dialogue on agricultural biotechnology in Kenya.

SENATORS PRAISE MAKUENI WATER REFORMS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, where he outlined reforms aimed at improving water management and reducing non-revenue water in the county.

The governor said the county has embraced automation of water systems, smart metering and smart kiosks, alongside rehabilitation of water networks to curb physical and commercial losses.

He told the committee that over Sh300 million has been spent on water projects through partnerships, helping expand access in the water-scarce county.

Governor Mutula also urged the national government to review the use of underground water resources originating from Makueni, noting that the water currently serves Mombasa City while Makueni residents continue to face inadequate water supply. He added that most borehole water in the county is saline and unfit for human consumption.

Chairing the committee, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipsang William Kipkemoi commended the county government for prudent management of count investments especially water resources.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo called for the fast-tracking of the stalled Thwake Dam, saying it remains key to addressing Makueni’s water challenges.

HUDUMA MASHINANI SERVES 2,001 RESIDENTS IN KITHUMANI MARKET, MBITINI WARD

The Huduma Mashinani outreach programme on Tuesday reached Kithumani Market in Mbitini Ward, where 2,001 residents accessed essential government services. The exercise attracted a strong turnout as residents took advantage of services brought closer to them.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the team provided government documents to residents, noting that the Ward marked the 11th to be reached since the programme began. He noted that nearly 20,000 people have benefited so far and urged the youth to continue applying for national IDs and registering as voters.

Those who attended the function included Mbitini Ward MCA, Bernard Mutua and Huduma Centre Makueni Manager, Bernard Nicholas.