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MAKUENI LEADS KENYA IN POST-PARTUM HEMORRHAGE RESPONSE

The Head of the Division for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Edward Serem, has commended Makueni County for emerging as a national leader in the implementation of post-partum hemorrhage Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EMONC) protocols.

Dr. Serem called on other counties to emulate Makueni’s approach, noting that the implementing partners declined to pilot the programme in another county, citing Makueni’s strong leadership and the conducive environment created for successful implementation of the project.

He further revealed that another development partner had also chosen to pilot a health project in Makueni for similar reasons, urging counties to remain open-minded and supportive towards development partners working within the health sector.

Dr. Serem spoke in Nairobi on Monday while addressing intra-partum members of the Communities of Practice, a Maternal Health Technical Working Group established by the Ministry of Health and key partners to facilitate substantive technical discussions on maternal and newborn health.

The meeting focused on reviewing the current maternal and newborn health status related to intra-partum care, dissemination of findings from the AMPLI-PPHI study, and briefing members on the EWENE Rapid Initiative.

The Communities of Practice serve as technical platforms for in-depth thematic engagement, review of programme data and emerging evidence, identification of implementation challenges, generation of evidence-based recommendations, and contribution to the broader Maternal Health Technical Working Group discourse.

During the meeting, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was also commended for supporting RMNCAH implementation and championing interventions aimed at combating post-partum hemorrhage.

Makueni County has become a national benchmark after recording zero maternal deaths resulting from post-partum hemorrhage in 2023, 2024, and since January 2026 to date.

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT KSH 2.5M ECDE BOOKS AS MUSIC FESTIVALS HEAT UP

Makueni County has distributed 4,752 Creative Arts books worth KSh 2.5 million to 1,188 ECDE centres to boost competency-based learning among early learners.

The rollout was launched at Kibwezi Primary School by Chief Officer for Education and Internship Irene Makau and officials from the Department of ICT, Education and Internship.

Makau said the materials will strengthen creativity, talent development and classroom participation under the Competency-Based Curriculum.

The county team also joined ongoing ward-level ECDE Music Festivals, where learners are competing in music, dance and verse.

The competitions run through Thursday, with top performers advancing to sub-county, county, regional and national levels

MAKUENI’S PEOPLE-CENTERED FLLoCA MODEL EARNS EACC PRAISE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

County officials involved in the implementation of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, funded among others by the World Bank, have undergone a compliance capacity-building training led by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in partnership with the National Treasury.

The EACC team commended Makueni for its open governance and people-centred development model, which gives residents control over projects through public oversight. According to Dr. Susan Kinyeki, a Deputy Director at EACC, the approach has earned the county a high compliance rating in the Annual Performance Assessment of FLLoCA-funded projects, where Makueni scored 98 percent in the 2023/2024 assessment.

Dr. Kinyeki noted that Makueni’s governance model has significantly sealed corruption loopholes by enhancing transparency, accountability and citizen participation, thereby ensuring residents get value for money from climate investments.

She added that the training seeks to strengthen institutional accountability and enhance public oversight within the County Climate Change Fund mechanism.

OAG COMMENDS MAKUENI’S FLLoCA INVESTMENTS FOR TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY LIVELIHOODS

Officials from the Office of the Auditor General have commended Makueni for the successful implementation of climate resilience investments under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Programme (FLLoCA), citing sustainability, transparency and community capacity building as key pillars driving the projects’ success.

The team which conducted a week-long Annual Progress Assessment praised the county’s approach in promoting community ownership and accountability, noting that the investments are already improving livelihoods and strengthening resilience against climate change in local communities.

At Yandia water project (Emali-Mulala Ward), the project chairperson highlighted the transformation brought about by the investment, saying residents now access clean water within less than one kilometer, compared to the long distances they previously covered. The initiative currently serves an average of 3,500 residents through six water kiosks and 49 household water connections, with plans underway to expand coverage and benefit more than 5,000 people.

The community also revealed plans to venture into water bottling as a way of generating additional income and ensuring the sustainability of the investment.

Reliable water supply has further enabled residents to embrace climate-smart agriculture, enhancing food security.

The team also visited Kiangini-Kikuu Community Water project, Wautu-Kyangati Sand Dam, Kwa Kakui and Kyanduu Integrated Water Project to assess the impact of the climate resilience investments being implemented across the county.

MAKUENI ADVANCES WITH MULTIPLE MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION AS STUDY REVEALS LOW IFAS ADHERENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

A recent study conducted by Department of Health Services in partnership with Vitamin Angels has revealed low adherence to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among pregnant women despite high coverage during antenatal clinic visits.

The findings show that while 93.1 per cent of women attending prenatal care receive IFAS tablets, only 17 per cent complete the recommended dosage.

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation remain a critical nutritional intervention aimed at preventing anaemia in pregnancy and reducing birth defects while supporting maternal and fetal health.

However, the study established that many pregnant women in Makueni fail to complete the dosage due to concerns over the alleged smell and unpleasant taste of the tablets among other characteristics.

The study further revealed growing acceptance of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), with 95.4 per cent of pregnant women expressing willingness to use the supplement.

The World Health Organization-recommended MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals ( iron and folic included) specifically formulated to improve maternal nutrition, pregnancy outcomes, and infant health.

Makueni County, which this year became the first in the country to launch the supplementation programme, is now adopting a multi-sectoral approach to ensure successful implementation and adherence.

The county government has brought together several departments, including Agriculture, Health, Education, Gender, Finance, and Socio-Economic Planning, to strengthen nutrition interventions among mothers and adolescent girls.

The Department of Agriculture is supporting food systems and dietary diversity initiatives such as kitchen gardens and food preservation, while the Department of Health is working closely with the education sector to improve antenatal care awareness among school-going adolescents.

According to the findings, adolescents account for 11 per cent of antenatal clinic attendees, with studies indicating that 66 per cent of them record the lowest adherence to Iron and Folic Acid supplementation.

Vitamin Angel’s Africa Technical Director, Dr. Lucy Kanya, who spoke on Friday as she addressed healthcare workers and other stakeholders noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of suitable development goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

She noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua believes the transition to MMS could mark a major breakthrough in improving maternal and child health outcomes, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.

MAKUENI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN CREATIVE INDUSTRY THROUGH ARTIST TRAINING

The Government of Makueni County on Thursday partnered with the Kenya Copyright Board and the Permanent Presidential Music Commission to train local artists on copyright protection, royalty collection and opportunities in the creative industry.

The workshop brought together artists from across the county and focused on helping them understand intellectual property rights and ways of earning from their creative work.

Speaking during the forum, Ag. CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Nicholas Nzioka said the county is committed to supporting local talent through programs that create growth and employment opportunities.

Deputy Director Sharon Wata encouraged artists to register their music and content to protect their work and access royalties.

The event was also attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Chief Officer Jossylin Mutua and other county officials.

MAKUENI HEALTH WORKERS SHARPEN EMERGENCY SKILLS THROUGH SPECIALIZED PEDIATRIC TRAINING

The Government of Makueni County has intensified efforts to strengthen emergency healthcare services through a specialized Pediatric Emergency Medicine Skills Workshop held in the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital on Friday bringing together nurses, clinicians, medical officers and consultants from across the county.

The two-day training focused on enhancing emergency response and trauma management for children, equipping healthcare workers with advanced practical skills in Pediatric Trauma Life Support (PTLS) and Point of Care Ultrasound Clinical Integration.

Participants underwent hands-on sessions on airway management, trauma procedures, shock management, ultrasound scanning, fracture assessment and emergency clinical decision-making.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with international medical experts and partners including The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, with facilitators guiding participants through simulation exercises and practical emergency response scenarios.

The initiative is expected to improve the quality of emergency pediatric care across health facilities in Makueni, boosting the capacity of frontline health workers to handle critical cases and save lives.

900 STUDENTS GRADUATE UNDER 2JIAJIRI PROGRAMME AS MAKUENI EXPANDS SKILLS TRAINING

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday led the graduation of 900 trainees from Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across Makueni County during the inaugural Makueni–KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri Programme graduation ceremony held at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Education Centre (MIVEC).

The graduation marked the completion of a KES 60 million partnership between the Government of Makueni and the KCB Foundation to equip young people with technical and entrepreneurial skills through the 2Jiajiri Programme.

Governor Mutula said the county has invested more than KES 80 million in VTC infrastructure over the last three years under CIDP III.

The partnership delivered solar-powered boreholes, water and electricity connections, modern training equipment, renovated workshops, and upgraded computer laboratories in several VTCs across the county.

Out of the 900 trainees enrolled in the programme, 831 graduated successfully. Among them, 264 earned First Class Honours while 567 attained Ordinary Passes in different technical courses.

Governor Mutula announced that the county will issue starter toolkits to all First Class Honours graduands. He also directed the Department of ICT, Education and Internship to establish the Makueni 2Jiajiri Alumni Network within 90 days to strengthen networking and market access for graduates.

The Governor further confirmed that the county has allocated funds to continue the programme in the 2026/2027 Financial Year as part of its strategy to expand youth empowerment and economic growth through vocational training.

KCB Foundation Head of Programme Joblin Omani, Members of the County Assembly led by Speaker Douglas Mbilu, and the Clerk of the County Assembly attended the event.

MAKUENI BOOSTS CHILD EMERGENCY CARE THROUGH ISRAEL PARTNERSHIP

Makueni County has strengthened its efforts to improve child healthcare services through a new partnership with Israel focused on pediatric emergency and trauma care training for local health workers.

Israel’s Ambassador to Kenya, Gideon Behar, on Thursday visited the Makueni County Referral Hospital to launch a pediatric emergency medicine skills workshop aimed at enhancing child healthcare services in the county.

The training is being facilitated by experts from Hadassah University Medical Center and The Hebrew University. The seminar focuses on pediatric trauma care and seeks to strengthen the ability of healthcare workers to respond to children in emergency and stress situations while promoting knowledge exchange between the institutions.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the partnership places Makueni on the international map in health innovation and health capability. He urged healthcare practitioners to fully utilize the opportunity, saying residents deserve quality healthcare services.

Ambassador Behar l described the partnership as the beginning of broader collaborations between Israel and Makueni. He said the training is intended to enhance the county’s healthcare capacity and improve preparedness for accurate emergency response in pediatric trauma care.

MAKUENI HANDS OVER MODERN FARM EQUIPMENT TO BOOST FRUIT FARMING.

The County Government has handed over modern agricultural equipment to trained service providers under the Sema Kenya 2 Project in a move aimed at strengthening mango and avocado farming.

The initiative, funded by the European Union through CIHEAM Bari is targeting wards known for high mango and avocado fruit production.

During the exercise led by CECM Nicholas Nzioka and attended by Felistus Mutune, beneficiaries received knapsack sprayers, pruning saws, aluminium ladders, loopers, fruit pickers and secateurs to support farmers with turn on efficient and modern farm services.

Nzioka noted that the equipment will improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and increase household incomes in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development agenda.