News

KYANDUU INTEGRATED WATER PROJECT BRINGS CLEAN WATER CLOSER TO KEE WARD RESIDENTS

Residents of Kee Ward are set to benefit from improved access to clean and reliable water following the completion of the Kyanduu Integrated Water Project, a KSh 15 million investment by the Makueni County Government.

The project was implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme and forms part of the county’s broader commitment to locally led climate initiatives aimed at strengthening community resilience and improving livelihoods.

Designed as an integrated intervention, the project combines water, agriculture, and environmental conservation measures to address chronic water scarcity while enhancing climate resilience. Key components include the desilting and expansion of Kyanduu earth dam, installation of a solar-powered pumping system, construction of distribution pipelines, masonry storage tanks, and four water kiosks.

Once fully operational, the project will benefit more than 1,775 residents of Mbakoni, Kavyuni, and Saki villages, providing sustainable water access for domestic use and irrigation, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and supporting environmental conservation.

The initiative also bolsters Makueni County’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Programme spearheaded by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., which seeks to reduce the distance to water sources to less than 2km by 2027.

MAKUENI TOPS NATIONAL RANKINGS IN GENDER AND DISABILITY INCLUSION.

Makueni County has once again been named the top-performing county in Gender and Disability Mainstreaming for 2025, cementing its reputation as a leader in inclusive and equitable development.

The award, received by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili during a gala dinner held on Thursday evening in Nairobi, recognises institutions that deliberately integrate gender equality and disability inclusion into planning, service delivery and decision-making processes to ensure no one is left behind.

In her keynote address, Mulili said the recognition reflects Makueni’s unwavering commitment to building a society where inclusion is not an afterthought but a foundation for sustainable development.

She noted that the county has prioritised deliberate interventions that empower women, youth and persons with disabilities to participate meaningfully in economic, social and governance processes.

Gender and Disability Directorate Council Executive Director Dr Richard Nasong’o commended the Government of Kenya for making notable progress in policy development and legislation aimed at safeguarding the rights of women and persons with disabilities.

Also in attendance was the County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Children, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni.

HUDUMA MASHINANI REACHES 1,311 RESIDENTS IN WOTE/NZIU

At least 1,311 residents of Wote/Nziu Ward have received crucial government services, including birth certificates, national ID registration, voter registration, group registration, and liquor licence applications, among others, through the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Programme spearheaded by the Government of Makueni County in partnership with Huduma Kenya.

Since its launch on 12th December 2025, the programme has reached 4,609 residents across four wards. Mbooni Ward recorded 700 beneficiaries, Kilungu reached 964, Kiima Kiu/Kalanzoni served 1,634, while Wote/Nziu recorded 1,311 beneficiaries. The programme continues on Friday at Emali Town in Emali/Mulala Ward and on Saturday in Ivingoni/Nzambani Ward.

The County Executive Committee Member for Gender and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, noted that the programme targets at least 40,000 residents across 30 wards by the end of the exercise in February.

MAKUENI RESIDENTS CELEBRATE AS HIGH MAST SOLAR FLOODLIGHTS TRANSFORM LOCAL MARKETS

Residents of Makueni County are celebrating improved security and longer business hours following the installation of high mast solar floodlights in key markets.

At Ngutwa Market in Muvau/Kikuumini Ward, traders say a newly erected 20-metre solar-powered floodlight has transformed the trading centre by lighting up previously dark areas. The improved illumination has boosted trader confidence, allowing businesses to operate into the evening and attract more customers.

Similar gains have been reported at Senda Market, where traders describe the project as a major boost to night-time business and public safety.

The installations are part of a partnership between the Makueni County Government and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

Other beneficiaries include Kinyambu, Makutano/Kyumani, Kona, Kithoni, Kitunduani, Kithuki and Kitise markets, as well as Kinguutheni Primary School.

County officials say more projects are underway to expand clean energy access, enhance security and stimulate local economies.

KILOME RESIDENTS PRAISE HUDUMA MASHINANI SERVICES

Hundreds of Kilome residents turned up for the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Program held in Salama Town on Wednesday, underscoring the strong demand for decentralized government services.

Residents lauded the initiative as a major relief, noting that it has significantly reduced travel costs and saved time previously spent queuing at distant government offices.

The program, sponsored by the Government of Makueni County, is offering 23 services delivered through Huduma Kenya, drawing together both national and county government services under one roof.

The initiative, a brainchild of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, was officially graced by County Executive Committee Member for Gender and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Mukaa Deputy County Commissioner Backstone Mayabi, and Wote Huduma Centre Manager Bernard Nicholas.

JOY AS 964 RESIDENTS ACCESS HUDUMA MASHINANI SERVICES IN NUNGUNI

Hundreds of residents in Nunguni, Kilungu Ward, on Tuesday turned out for the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Program, an initiative that takes all government services offered through Huduma Centre to the grassroots.

The initiative, a partnership between Huduma Kenya– Wote, and Government of Makueni County under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, enhances access to government services at the grassroots, heaving off the costs of travelling to public offices from residents.

The exercise was led by Wote Huduma Centre Manager Bernard Nicholas, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Kilungu Deputy County Commisioner Anthony Maina.

MAKUENI BETS BIG ON POULTRY FARMING

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Monday led the launch of the “Mifugo ni Mali project” at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in Kwakathoka, marking a major boost for poultry farming in Makueni County.

The initiative, implemented in partnership with the KCB Foundation, is designed to strengthen poultry production through rigorous farmer training, coaching and mentoring, alongside regular farm inspections to ensure quality and sustainability.

At the launch, 17 farmers including women, youth and persons with disabilities, each received 300 vaccinated one-day-old chicks to kick-start and expand their enterprises.

The programme is anchored on an MOU between the County Government of Makueni and the KCB Foundation, under which the foundation supports the growth of small and medium enterprises through business development, with the aim of creating wealth and employment, particularly among women and young people.

Under the partnership, the county government will provide continuous extension services, veterinary support and access to existing cold chain and vaccine-handling infrastructure to participating farmers, strengthening production and disease control at the grassroots.

According to Mulili, Poultry farming remains the most widespread livestock enterprise in Makueni, with about 85 per cent of farmers rearing poultry. Mulili further notes that the County statistical abstract data validated in 2023 indicates that the poultry subsector was valued at KSh 3.77 billion in 2022, supported by an estimated 1.57 million birds.

This, she says, reflects a growth of 55 per cent since 2013, underscoring the sector’s rising contribution to household incomes and food and nutrition security.

The County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture Elizabeth Muli noted that the department has also been intensifying efforts to transform poultry production, including increasing the productivity of local chicken from an average of 45–60 eggs per hen per year to between 120 and 180 eggs.

According to Muli, More than 240 incubators are currently operational across the county, producing between 100 and 1,056 chicks per cycle, while 476 village-level vaccination service providers have been trained and equipped to strengthen disease control.

Through the collaboration with the KCB Foundation, the county aims to stimulate further growth in the poultry value chain, improve linkages in input supply and markets, and enhance incomes and livelihoods for farming households across Makueni.

KCB Human Resource Manager Kenya, Cleophas Ambira and the area MCA Elizabeth Mutinda graced the occasion.

TAWA HOSPITAL PERFORMS FIRST C-SECTION AFTER EQUIPMENT UPGRADE

Residents of Tawa and its surrounding areas can now breathe a sigh of relief following the installation of a new anaesthesia machine at Tawa Sub County Hospital by the county government.

The modern equipment was procured after the hospital’s previous machine broke down, a setback that had limited the facility’s capacity to handle critical procedures.

Its impact was felt almost immediately. On Sunday, doctors at the hospital conducted their first successful caesarean section since the installation, marking a major milestone for the facility.

Health Services Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei said the upgrade has significantly eased healthcare delivery in the region, noting that patients in need of specialised services will no longer be forced to travel long distances to the county referral hospital.

BIG TURNOUT AS HUDUMA MASHINANI REACHES 700 RESIDENTS ON DAY ONE

The Huduma Mashinani Outreach program recorded an impressive start on its first day, reaching 700 residents, underscoring the high demand for decentralized service delivery.

The one-stop service program, launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. during the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kikima on Friday, witnessed a large turnout as residents sought identity documents, birth and death certificates, KRA assistance, NTSA services, pensions support and voter registration, among others.

County and national government officers worked seamlessly to ensure efficient service provision, with many residents completing processes that would ordinarily require multiple visits to different offices. The successful day-one rollout highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration between the County Government, Huduma Centre Wote and National Government Administration Officers in bringing services closer to the people.

The outreach will be rolled out across all wards in the county up to February 2026

GOVERNOR MUTULA POWERS KIKIMA SPORTS FESTIVAL

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Friday energized post–Jamhuri Day celebrations after officially commissioning an electrifying soccer and volleyball showdown at Kikima Secondary School grounds.

Addressing hundreds of enthusiastic youth and sports fans, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to elevating sports across the county.

Mutula praised the region’s growing talent pool and assured young people that increased investment in sporting facilities, training opportunities, and competitions remains a top priority.

Also present was Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, as thrilling local matches kicked off moments after the commissioning—transforming Kikima into a lively arena of cheers, colour, and community spirit, reaffirming the county’s commitment to nurturing talent and uniting communities through sport.