News

THE TASTE OF MAKUENI: MANGO JUICE WOWS DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE

The Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA), a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency under the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Act (Amendment) 2017, is transforming the mango value chain.

Established to curb market failures such as post-harvest losses and poor farm-gate prices, the Authority operates the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant (MFPP) in Kalamba.

At the 2025 Devolution Conference, Makueni’s booth impressed with its signature ready-to-drink “Makueni Mango Juice.” Delegates, guests and fellow exhibitors eagerly sampled the refreshing drink, with some institutions even gifting it to their staff.

The state-of-the-art facility features a 5,000 kg/hour mango puree line, a 4,500 litres/hour juice reconstitution line and an 8,000 bottles/hour bottling line.

Serving over 12,000 farmers, MCFDMA has purchased more than 7,000 metric tonnes of mangoes, stabilizing prices, boosting incomes and creating 1,200 seasonal jobs annually for youth and women.

The DevCon showcase doubled as a powerful marketing platform, advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision to economically empower Makueni residents.

MAKUENI’S SOLAR REVOLUTION SHINES BRIGHT AT DAY 3 OF DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE

Makueni County is once again in the national spotlight, hailed as a model for renewable energy success following the impressive strides it has made in solarization.

Speaking during a side event at the ongoing Devolution Conference, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo singled out Makueni’s solar project at the County Referral Hospital as a shining example for other counties to follow.

He lauded the initiative for not only reducing electricity costs but also freeing up funds to support other hospital services urging other counties to emulate.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who was a panelist in a session on Accelerating Climate-Compatible Planning in Kenya, shared Makueni’s vision of taking solarization a step further.

She expressed optimism that with increased capacity, Makueni could one day sell excess power to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and other partners, taking advantage of the county’s abundant sunshine as a semi-arid region.

In partnership with UK PACT and the World Resources Institute (WRI), Makueni has developed a County Energy Plan (2023–2032), rolled out community training on the productive use of renewable energy, and is preparing to launch a forward-looking energy policy.

In the 2023/2024 financial year, the county also introduced an expansive green energy programme aimed at cutting energy costs, boosting economic productivity, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting environmental conservation.

MAKUENI ONCE AGAIN SHINES AT DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE WITH GAME-CHANGING DIGITAL SURGERY TECHNOLOGY

Governors from across the country turned their focus to cutting-edge healthcare innovations at this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, engaging in peer-to-peer learning on digital surgery and health equity.

Once again, Makueni County stole the spotlight, earning glowing praise for pioneering the use of Proximie technology in Kenya.

The innovative system uses cameras, speakers, and computers connected via the internet to link operating rooms with specialists anywhere in the world.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili walked fellow governors through Makueni’s transformative experience with Proximie, explaining how it enables real-time consultation during surgical procedures, regardless of distance.

Dr. Shannon Shibarta, Head of Global Proximie, hailed Makueni for its trailblazing role, noting that the county’s success story is now inspiring medical professionals as far afield as East Africa.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o pledged to be next in line to adopt the cloud-based system, promising to bring the innovation home to his people.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who chairs the Health Committee in the Council of Governors, revealed that the council is ready to explore partnerships with vendors willing to supply the costly high-end equipment on a pay-per-patient model, making adoption more affordable for counties.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES PUBLIC FORUMS FOR 2026/27 DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Makueni County has kicked off a two-day countywide public participation exercise to shape its Annual Development Plan for the 2026/27 financial year.

The forum, Which officially opened on Thursday at Wote Green Park, drew residents who shared their views with a team of officers in finance led by CECM Damaris Kavoi.

In her remarks, Kavoi noted that such strong turnouts reflect a community deeply invested in its own development, a value that Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration continues to uphold by prioritizing citizen-driven proposals in policy and project implementation.

Held in line with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, and Article 220(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, the meetings provide an opportunity for residents to voice their priorities and guide resource allocation.

The exercise continues on Friday across multiple venues in all 30 wards of Makueni.

MAKUENI COUNTY EMPOWERMENT FUND DIGITIZATION WINS PRAISE AT NATIONAL DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE

Makueni County’s digital transformation of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) procedures has been recognized as a pioneering achievement at this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, officially opened by President William Ruto on Wednesday.

The digitization, developed in partnership with Safaricom, aligns perfectly with the conference’s focus on leveraging technology to bridge socio-economic gaps.

The re-engineered MCEF platform will streamline access to startup capital for social enterprises and community groups.

The upgraded fund is set for official rollout next month, empowering more beneficiaries with timely, equitable support.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. SIGNS MUTULACARE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.

Makueni Governor on Monday signed Mutulacare implementation guidlines to guide the County Assembly on the implementation of the Mutulacare scheme on the floor of the House.

This scheme is a County-led Universal Health Coverage initiative that will enhance access to Quality healthcare for all residents in the county.

While signing the guidelines, Governor Mutula said Mutulacare will pay for social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for indigent and vulnerable households to enable access to health care in what was echoed by CECM Health, Joyce Mutua.

Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive heathcare including inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, chronic illness management. They will also receive emergency treatment, including ambulance evacuations in the scheme which targets to cover over 50 per cent of Makueni residents.

Cabinet approved it last week.

Others present were DG Lucy Mulili, County Secretary, Justin Kyambi,

CECMs Finance Damaris Kavoi, Devolution, Nicholas Nzioka and Lands, Paul Musila, among others.

MAKUENI CHOSEN FOR FIRST-EVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PILOT.

Makueni County has been selected as the pilot site for a groundbreaking four-year Highway Emergency Response Program launched by St. John’s Kenya.

The project, which will stretch along the busy Mombasa–Busia highway, aims to improve emergency medical care at accident-prone zones. It will establish 19 first aid stations, 4 trauma centers, and deploy 4 state-of-the-art ambulances staffed with trained paramedics to deliver timely post-crash care.

Speaking when he visited Makueni County headquarters, Dr. Robert Mutula, Chair of St. John’s Kenya, confirmed that Makueni will receive one ambulance, three First Aid posts, and one trauma center as part of the first phase. The national launch is scheduled for November this year in Emali Town.

Dr. Mutula further committed to making Makueni an emergency response hub for the Lower Eastern region by training local community members, including the Bodaboda operators in basic First Aid and victim assessment. Plans also include setting up a major blood transfusion center to serve accident victims in the region.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hailed the initiative, calling it a God-sent opportunity that will ease the burden of disaster response along the heavily trafficked Mombasa Road, notorious for frequent and often fatal accidents.

Other key officials in attendance included Dr. Alex Muturi (St. John’s Council Member), Paul Ngugi (St. John’s CEO), CECM Health Joyce Mutua, Dr. Harvey Mulei (Chief Officer – Health HR & Admin), and Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi (Acting Chief Officer – Health), among others

GOVERNOR MUTULA TO COMMISSION STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL IN MAKINDU

Over 8,000 residents of Ngaakaa–Twaandu in Makindu Ward are set to gain access to advanced healthcare services with the construction of a state-of-the-art Level 3 hospital, funded through a partnership between World Vision Kenya and Mountain Blue Foundation.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is expected to commission the facility in a month’s time.

The hospital will feature a mother and child block, a fully equipped maternity wing, a laboratory, administration offices, procedure rooms, a pharmacy, and a records unit.

It will replace the area’s small dispensary, which has been operating with limited capacity, marking a major leap in service delivery for the community.

The project also includes the installation of solar power for sustainable energy, procurement of essential medical equipment, and connection to the Kiboko–Twaandu water project to guarantee clean water supply for the facility and surrounding residents.

According to Chief Officer for Health Services Dr. Harvey Mulei, the partnership’s second phase will focus on equipping the hospital, while the county government will provide the necessary staff to ease the pressure on existing health facilities.

MAKUENI BOOSTS HEALTH SERVICES TO EASE WOTE HOSPITAL CONGESTION

Health services in facilities around Wote town are receiving a major upgrade as the Makueni County Government moves to ease the pressure on the County Referral Hospital and the maternity wing at the Mother and Child Hospital.

In collaboration with Eni Kenya, the county has already put into operation a newly equipped maternity block, complete with a septic-tank-linked ablution facility.

The initiative includes the ongoing transformation of Kambi Mawe Dispensary into a Level 3 facility.

The dispensary now boasts a modern ablution block designed with disability-friendly features, ensuring accessibility for persons with mobility challenges.

Beyond infrastructure, the partnership with Eni Kenya also supports maternal and child health programs and strengthens the blood donation unit at the County Referral Hospital.

The new ablution block at Kambi Mawe will be officially commissioned by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in the coming days, marking another milestone in the county’s mission to bring quality healthcare closer to residents.

MBITINI PARISH HOSTS RECREATION SPORTS DAY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT

On August 7, Mbitini Catholic Parish hosted a vibrant Sports Day at Mulala Girls’ grounds in Emali-Mulala Ward, in collaboration with the Makueni County Government’s Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.

The event brought together CWA members, local youth, women, and church leaders for a day of unity, health, and empowerment through sports.

Graced by the Executive Committee Member for Sports, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and the parish priest, the day featured football, volleyball, and netball matches with teams drawn from various parish outstations.

Eng. Kyoni commended the parish for championing community-based sports and reaffirmed Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to inclusive sports development across all demographics.