News

COUNTY RALLIES LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN MANGO MARKETING AMID BUMPER HARVEST

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with CDDC chairpersons, SACCO leaders, Mango lead farmers and the 7 Cooperatives supplying mangoes to the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant to review the mango marketing status of ward-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The leaders were updated on the current season mango offtake totaling to over 8 million Metric Tonnes and valued at Kshs 260M through exporters, processors and both urban and rural fresh markets.

The forum, attended by County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, focused on practical strategies to manage the ongoing bumper harvest while strengthening collective marketing to safeguard farmer incomes.

Addressing the meeting, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development CECM Liz Muli urged local leaders to mobilize farmers to join organized producer groups which would enable the County Government to negotiate better prices, secure stable markets, and deliver extension services more efficiently.

Dr. Kyambi reaffirmed the county’s commitment to protecting farmers from market exploitation and ensuring fair returns for their produce.

He further emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s agenda of economically empowering households through structured, market-driven agriculture.

HUDUMA MASHINANI PROGRAMME SERVES OVER 1,500 RESIDENTS IN MATILIKU

The Huduma Mashinani Phase II outreach programme on Wednesday continued in Matiliku Market, Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward, where 1,573 residents accessed essential government services during the one-day exercise. The programme is an initiative aimed at taking services closer to residents across all wards in Makueni County.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children,Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the programme has already served over 10,000 residents since its launch last month. He noted that the County is targeting to serve at least 50,000 people by the end of the outreach session across the County.

Huduma Centre Makueni Manager, Bernard Nicholas, encouraged residents to continue turning up in large numbers to benefit from the services being offered.

MAKUENI JOINS UNESCO GLOBAL NETWORK OF LEARNING CITIES.

Makueni County has been admitted into the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC), becoming the fifth county in Kenya to join the prestigious network after Nairobi, Kilifi, Garissa and Laikipia. The milestone is set to strengthen education, skills development and lifelong learning across the county.

The GNLC, launched by UNESCO in 2013, brings together over 350 learning cities and local governments in more than 75 countries worldwide, promoting lifelong learning as a driver of sustainable development. Membership connects Makueni to a global community that shares best practices in education policy, vocational training, digital learning and community-based education.

Speaking at UNESCO offices in Nairobi, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the recognition will enhance Makueni’s global profile, attract partnerships and strengthen ongoing investments in education, culture, natural sciences, social and human sciences, among others.

Secretary General Dr. James Njogu said the admission affirms the County’s strong commitment to inclusive and lifelong learning noting that joining the GNLC will open new opportunities for knowledge exchange.

MAKUENI COUNTY, FADHILI TRUST SEAL STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Government of Makueni County has entered into a strategic partnership with Fadhili Trust following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing sustainable and inclusive development across the county.

The MoU was signed at the Makueni County Headquarters, marking the start of a collaborative framework that will leverage shared resources, expertise, and innovation to improve the livelihoods of Makueni residents.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. underscored the critical role of partnerships in driving sustainable development. He further noted that the collaboration with Fadhili Trust comes at an opportune time and aligns with the county’s development agenda, emphasizing inclusive growth and long-term impact.

Fadhili Trust Executive Director, Josephine Munywoki described the partnership as a catalyst for unlocking Makueni County’s potential in key priority sectors. She outlined areas of cooperation that include agriculture and livestock production, gender equality, education, water access, clean energy, and the empowerment of youth and women.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by senior county and institutional officials, among them County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, and Fadhili Trust Project Officer Matthew Mutembei.

HUDUMA MASHINANI PHASE II REACHES THANGE WARD RESIDENTS

The Huduma Mashinani Phase II outreach programme on Tuesday reached Machinery Market in Thange Ward, Kibwezi East Sub-County, bringing essential government services closer to residents. The programme, which started last month, is targeting all the 30 wards in Makueni County to improve access to public services at the grassroots.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Children, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the outreach is offering over 25 services, including processing of key documents, through a collaboration between the County Government under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the National Government and Huduma Centre Wote.

Huduma Centre Makueni Manager, Benard Nicholas said 1,370 people were served during the exercise.

HUDUMA MASHINANI PHASE II KICKS OFF IN THANGE WARD

The Makueni County Government on Tuesday kicked off Phase II of the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme at Machinery Market in Thange Ward, Kibwezi East Sub-County, bringing essential government services closer to residents.

The outreach offers key services including national ID applications, birth and death certificates, KRA and NTSA services, NSSF registration, pensions, group registration, HELB support, affordable housing registration and IEBC voter registration, among others.

The programme will proceed to Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward at Matiliku Market on Wednesday, 21st January 2026, Nguu Masumba Ward at Kwa Ndava Market on Thursday, 22nd January 2026, and Kasikeu Ward at Kasikeu Market on Friday, 23rd January 2026. Huduma Mashinani Phase II will continue across the county until February 2026 as part of the county’s commitment to accessible and inclusive service delivery.

MAKUENI COUNTY SEEKS DATA ON BODA BODA SECTOR.

The Makueni County Department of Gender, Youth, Children, Sports and Social services on Monday held a consultative meeting with boda boda leaders from across the county to address key issues within the sector.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Children, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni chaired the meeting which brought together chairpersons representing boda boda stages, Wards, sub-counties and the county leadership.

During the engagement, the County Government and boda boda leadership agreed to undertake a countywide exercise to establish accurate data on boda boda operators. The exercise will capture key information including ownership of motorcycles, insurance status, identification documents, driving licences, and the specific needs of riders. It will also assess membership in Saccos, self-help groups and welfare associations.

Eng. Kyoni noted that the data will guide the County Government in designing targeted interventions to support the boda boda sector, improve safety standards and effective service delivery.

County Boda Boda Chairperson Benard Mutisya affirmed the sector’s commitment to work closely with the county to streamline the sector.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ASSURES MANGO FARMERS OF SUPPORT, PROMISES AUDIT OF MANGO PURCHASES

The county government will carry out a thorough audit into how savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) have been purchasing mangoes, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has said.

Speaking while addressing residents during the commissioning of the Ngaaka Health Centre in Makindu, the governor said the process will audit how the entire process was carried out and warned that anyone found culpable of irregularities in the mango procurement process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He said the Kalamba fruit processing plant cannot absorb all mangoes produced in the county, particularly during peak harvest seasons.

To address the gap, the county has deployed additional measures to support the mango value chain, including the use of cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.

MUTULA WARNS AGAINST VANDALISM AND SABOTAGE OF COUNTY PROJECTS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has issued a stern warning against vandalism and sabotage of county development projects, saying his administration will take firm action against individuals undermining public infrastructure.

The governor cited the Sh79 million Kiboko–Twaaandu water project as a key example, noting that sections of the project have suffered vandalism. He revealed that water pipes at the Kiboko River crossing have been deliberately cut , disrupting progress and inflating repair costs.

Governor Mutula condemned the acts, describing them as criminal and detrimental to service delivery, and called for expedited investigations and prosecution of those responsible. He emphasized that the county government will not tolerate vandalism, warning that such actions deprive residents of essential services and waste public resources.

“The destruction of public infrastructure is an attack on the people of Makueni,” Mutula said. “We will not allow a few individuals to sabotage projects meant to improve livelihoods and access to basic services.”

The Kiboko–Twaaandu water project is expected to supply clean water to the newly launched Ngaaka Health Facility and extend services to Kalii, Kavete, and Nthia areas. Once completed, the project is projected to significantly improve water access for households and public institutions in the region.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

He was speaking during the commissioning of the Ngakaa health facility in Kibwezi West Sub County.

OVER 8,000 RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT AS NGAAKAA LEVEL 3 HEALTH FACILITY IS COMMISSIONED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday officially commissioned the Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility in Makindu–Twaandu Ward, marking a significant boost to healthcare access for residents of the area.

The facility, constructed through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, World Vision Kenya and the Mountain Blue Foundation, is expected to serve a population of more than 8,000 people in the ward and its surrounding areas.

During the commissioning ceremony, the Governor also unveiled four one-bedroom en-suite staff quarters, two 15-kilogram commercial heavy-duty laundry machines that are Wi-Fi enabled and can be operated remotely, and a 50-kilowatt-hour powerhouse. The power system will run critical equipment, including an X-ray machine, a sterilizer, an ultrasound unit and all laboratory equipment at the facility.

Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility comprises a fully equipped Mother and Child Hospital that will oversee antenatal and postnatal services, cervical cancer screening and child welfare clinics, complete with a patient waiting bay. The facility also features an acute care room, a fully functional pharmacy and laboratory, a modern 15-bed maternity wing, an isolation ward and several consultation rooms.

The Governor further noted that his administration remains keen on promoting universal health coverage. He said the newly commissioned health facility reflects the county’s commitment to achieving this goal.

He also announced that Makindu Sub-County Hospital will soon begin offering dialysis services following the recent posting of a nephrologist, a move he said will ease the burden on patients who previously had to seek the services at Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote.