News

MAKUENI RECOGNISED FOR OUTSTANDING GROWTH IN OWN-SOURCE REVENUE

Makueni County has been commended by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) for its outstanding improvement in own-source revenue collection.

Speaking during the 2026 National Productivity and Performance Conference organised by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission in Nairobi on Thursday ,CRA Chairperson Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati noted that Makueni is among the counties that have recorded significant growth in locally generated revenue.

The county’s own-source revenue increased from KSh 189 million in the 2013/2014 financial year to KSh 1.291 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, representing an approximate growth of 582 per cent.

She emphasized the need for counties to strengthen revenue administration and management systems, observing that revenue generation and productivity are closely interconnected.

She also recommended the development of a national revenue productivity framework, the promotion of evidence-based revenue policy formulation, and the strengthening of human capital productivity as key strategies for enhancing county revenue collection.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who represented Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the conference, highlighted five key pillars that have transformed revenue collection in Makueni.

These include digital transformation, expansion of the revenue base, strategic partnerships, citizen engagement and voluntary compliance, as well as performance management and accountability.

Mulili, who was a panellist during a breakout session at the conference, said own-source revenue is no longer merely a financial requirement but a strategic instrument for strengthening governance, improving institutional performance, and enhancing service delivery.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ON THURSDAY HOSTED A TEAM FROM SAFARICOM LED BY MADAM JOSEPHINE MWIKALI, HEAD OF MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND COUNTY ENGAGEMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday hosted a team from Safaricom led by Madam Josephine Mwikali, Head of Medium Enterprises and County Engagement, who paid a courtesy call to his office.During the meeting, Safaricom presented potential technological collaboration solutions aimed at optimizing county operations.

The discussions focused on the digitization and centralization of systems to enhance the monitoring and coordination of emergency medical services as the county prepares to roll out free ambulance services at the beginning of July.

The County Government is seeking to strengthen its emergency healthcare response, with particular emphasis on automating ambulance management to improve efficiency and service delivery.

The team also explored revenue collection and management solutions designed to enhance efficiency, improve accountability, and seal revenue leakages.

Governor Mutula thanked Safaricom, including the Safaricom Foundation, for its continued support and collaboration with the county government in advancing service delivery and development initiatives.

THE COUNTY LEVEL ECDE MUSIC FESTIVALS HAVE KICKED OFF TODAY IN KATHONZWENI.

Opened by CECM for Education, Japheth Mang’oka assisted by Chief Officer – Education, Irene Makau and ECDE County Director, the competitions feature school groups which made it from the sub-county levels.

A total of over 500 learners are competing today to move on to the regional level where they will compete with learners from the wider eastern region counties.

More updates to follow.

MAKUENI COUNTY SEEKS INCREASED INVESTMENT IN FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES.

Makueni County has renewed its commitment to strengthening family planning services through increased local funding.

A meeting organized by the County Department of Health Services, the Anita Mbinya Foundation (AMF), and Jhpiego’s APIP Project brought together members of the County Assembly Health Committee to discuss sustainable financing for family planning programs.

Stakeholders highlighted the benefits of family planning in improving maternal and child health, reducing unintended pregnancies, and supporting socio-economic development. They called for continued county budget support to ensure access to commodities and quality reproductive health services.

The engagement forms part of the county’s efforts to strengthen policy support and secure sustainable financing for reproductive health services.

MAKUENI REVIEWS PROGRESS OF NUTRITION PROGRAMME, RECORDS 98 PER CENT IMPLEMENTATION RATE.

The County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with the Departments of Health Services, Agriculture, and Gender, and with support from Helen Keller International, has reviewed the implementation of activities under the first year of a two-year nutrition programme.

The review meeting, which brought together officers from the three departments, revealed that 98 per cent of the planned activities had been successfully implemented across the six sub-counties.

The programme, dubbed Transforming Lives Through Nutrition, has been under implementation since July 2025. It focuses on both nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions aimed at improving the nutritional status and overall well-being of residents.

Nutrition-specific interventions are being spearheaded by the Department of Health Services, while nutrition-sensitive activities are being implemented by the Departments of Agriculture and Gender.

Helen Keller International, working in partnership with a consortium of development partners, is supporting the programme’s implementation as part of efforts to strengthen nutrition outcomes and enhance household resilience across Makueni County.

VULNERABLE GROUPS EMPOWERED THROUGH LIVESTOCK SUPPORT PROGRAMME IN KIKUMBULYU WARDS.

Vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, women and youth from Kikumbulyu North and Kikumbulyu South wards, on Tuesday benefited from a livestock support programme aimed at enhancing economic empowerment and improving household incomes.

Under the ward-based initiative, the Department of Agriculture distributed 51 does and 54 bucks to farmers as part of a continuous breed improvement programme targeting faster-growing goats with higher mature weights. Beneficiaries also received 100 bags of 50kg drought pellets to boost animal productivity, improve nutrition and accelerate breeding.

The exercise was officiated by Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Japheth Kiminza, who said the programme seeks to build resilient livelihoods through sustainable livestock production and improved breeds.

Kiminza urged beneficiaries to embrace proper animal husbandry practices to ensure the project’s long-term success and sustainability.

The event was also attended by Jades Kalunda, who lauded the initiative for creating economic opportunities and strengthening community resilience.

AJIRA KWA VIJANA PROGRAM REACHES KIKUMBULYU NORTH

The Ajira kwa Vijana Program was on Wednesday rolled out in Kikumbulyu North Ward, becoming the fourth ward to benefit from the youth empowerment initiative being implemented by the Government of Makueni County.

More than 500 casual workers are benefiting from the Ksh 2 million ward allocation, undertaking activities such as bush clearing, drainage maintenance and environmental improvement works.

The program is set to move to Nguu Masumba Ward on Thursday, making it the fifth ward to benefit from the initiative.

KITISE FARMERS BENEFIT FROM AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT PROGRAMME

Farmers from Kitise/Kithuki Ward on Tuesday benefited from an Agriculture and Livelihood Support Programme aimed at strengthening dairy farming, apiculture, and drought resilience to improve household incomes and agricultural productivity.

The programme saw the commissioning of a 1,000-litre solar-powered bulk milk cooler for the Kitise Farmers Cooperative Society, a move expected to benefit more than 600 dairy farmers through improved milk aggregation and reduced post-harvest losses.

Farmers also received 155 Langstroth beehives and modern beekeeping equipment, while vulnerable households were supported with livestock feed supplements to aid recovery from prolonged drought effects.

Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili said the County Government remains committed to investing in practical and sustainable interventions that increase productivity, create market opportunities, and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

Also addressing the gathering, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu praised the initiative, noting that empowering farmers and strengthening cooperatives is essential for rural economic growth and long-term prosperity.

Implemented through a partnership between the County Government, World Food Programme and National Drought Management Authority, the programme promotes sustainable, climate-smart and market-driven agriculture.

The event was attended by CECM Agriculture Damaris Kavoi, Chief Officer Livestock Japtheth Kiminza, MCA Kitise/Kithuki Ward Sebastian Muli and Clerk of the County Assembly Kevin Mutuku.

ATHI-KALAWA WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, SET TO TRANSFORM LIVES OF 30,000 RESIDENTS.

The County Government of Makueni and World Vision have moved closer to delivering one of the largest water investments in Kalawa Ward following a pre-inspection exercise of the Ksh 300 Million Athi-Kalawa Water Supply Project.

The project, which is approximately 90 percent complete, is expected to provide sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water to an estimated 30,000 residents of Kalawa Ward.

Once commissioned, the project is expected to significantly reduce the distance and time residents spend searching for water, improve household sanitation and public health.

Speaking during the inspection on Tuesday, Ag. CECM Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Japheth Mang’oka reaffirmed the County’s commitment to ensuring all outstanding works are completed to the required standards before commissioning.

MAKUENI CONVERTS FORMER LAW COURTS BUILDING INTO LEVEL THREE HEALTH FACILITY.

The Makueni County Government has allocated funds for the renovation of the old Makueni Law Courts building, which originally served as the first hospital in Wote Town, to transform it into a Level Three health facility.

The move is aimed at addressing challenges faced by patients seeking healthcare services at Makueni County Referral Hospital, particularly when accessing services under the Social Health Authority (SHA) framework.

Under SHA regulations, patients are required to obtain referrals from lower-level health facilities before accessing services at referral hospitals.

To ease pressure on the county referral hospital and improve access to healthcare services, the county government has invested in the establishment of a Level Three facility within Wote Town.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover of the renovation project to a contractor, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. urged the contractor to work closely with the local community to help boost economic opportunities for residents during the project period.

The governor also directed the Wote Water Company to ensure the facility is supplied with adequate water to support its 24-hour operations.

He further called on the Department of Health Services to progressively expand the facility’s capacity to accommodate additional services, including maternity and gynaecological care.

Governor Mutula said the facility, which is set to be gazetted soon, will also be fully equipped to provide quality healthcare services to residents.

The event was attended by area MCA Felix Mateso, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Joyce Mutua, and Chief Officer for Health Administration and Human Resource Dr Harvey Mulei.