News

PARENTS URGED TO EMBRACE TVET AS MAKUENI EXPANDS EDUCATION SUPPORT.

Parents in Makueni have been urged to enroll their children in the county’s Technical and Vocational Training Institutions (TTIs) to equip them with practical skills and improve their employment prospects.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony at Kivandini Primary and Junior Secondary School, Education, ICT and Internship CECM Japheth Mang’oka said technical education offers a pathway to self-reliance.

He also announced that the county government will construct an ECDE classroom at the school as part of a programme to build more than 80 ECDE classrooms in the 2026/27 financial year and facilitate water supply to improve learning conditions.

County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu urged parents to work closely with teachers and regulate children’s use of mobile phones to enhance academic performance. Area MCA Felix Mutiso attended the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMITS HIS COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday committed his County Executive Committee Members to enhanced accountability and efficient service delivery after presiding over the signing of performance contracts at the Governor’s Office.

The performance contracts set clear targets and measurable outcomes for each department, strengthening the county government’s commitment to transparency, prudent use of public resources and timely implementation of development programmes.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Mutula said the contracts will strengthen performance management across the county, ensuring every executive member remains focused on delivering quality services and improving the lives of Makueni residents.

He emphasized that effective implementation of county programmes will accelerate development, enhance public confidence in government and ensure wananchi receive value from every public investment.

In the same event, Governor Mutula issued promotion letters, conversion-to-permanent-and-pensionable appointment letters, and letters of appointment to 123 members of staff as part of the county government’s efforts to strengthen service delivery.

GOVERNOR MUTULA BACKS SH 2.5 BILLION FRUIT PROCESSING HUB IN MAKUENI TO BOOST MANGO PRODUCE UPTAKE.

Gov. Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has pledged county support for a proposed Sh2.5 billion fruit processing and agribusiness hub expected to boost mango and citrus value addition, create jobs and expand market access for farmers.

Mutula made the commitment Thursday during a consultative meeting with the investors, Agrione Fresh Produce Limited and the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Makueni to discuss a strategic partnership for the Makueni Integrated Fruit Processing and Agribusiness Hub.

The project will be developed on a 12-acre site as a phased agro-industrial campus linking farmers to domestic, regional and export markets. It is expected to create about 12,750 jobs while strengthening Makueni’s position as a leading fruit-processing county.

The governor said the county will facilitate land acquisition, improve the investment climate and fast-track approvals to support the project’s implementation. He added that the investment will prioritize local employment, skills transfer and youth training in agriculture.

The county also plans to support the establishment of a container depot in Makindu, strengthen market linkages and promote fair pricing and quality standards to reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ earnings.

Agrione Fresh Produce officials said they selected Makueni because of its strong mango and citrus production, adding that the facility has been designed to meet international food safety standards while allowing for future expansion.

ACK Diocese of Makueni Bishop Francis Matui said the investment would transform livelihoods by creating jobs, expanding markets and driving economic growth. The meeting was also attended by ACK Makueni Investment Committee Chairperson John Paul and County Executive Committee members Japheth Mang’oka, Nicholas Nzioka and Paul Musila.

Once completed, the hub is expected to increase fruit uptake, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen Makueni’s mango and citrus value chains by connecting farmers to high-value local and export markets.

COUNTY STEPS UP STAFF WELFARE THROUGH HR CLINICS

The Office of the County Secretary, through the Human Resource Unit, on Monday concluded a six-day HR clinic aimed at sensitising county staff on employee benefits, services, registration procedures and utilisation of the Jubilee medical insurance cover currently available to county government employees.

The exercise, which concluded at the County Referral Hospital, also provided a platform for employees to give feedback on human resource matters, including the obligations of the employer, with the broader goal of enhancing a conducive working environment for staff.

Human Resource Director Evelyn Mueni said the team is committed to advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo’s vision of a reengineered public service that recognises and rewards performance.

As part of activities marking HR Month, the clinics also incorporated sessions on mental wellness, with staff encouraged to invest in their well-being and pay greater attention to their mental health.

County Public Service Board CEO Redempta Kavindu, meanwhile, encouraged staff to apply for promotions and other job opportunities whenever vacancies arise.

Ag.Chief Officer in charge of Public Service Management Dr. Joselyn Nzilani was also present.

MUTULA WARNS AGAINST MISINFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, BACKS RESIDENTS ON LAND FEES IN KIBWEZI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has cautioned politicians against spreading misinformation to mislead the public and pledged to support residents opposing planned land payments affecting settlement schemes in Kibwezi East.

The governor spoke on Monday during the burial of Mzee Tom Nzoka in Nzembete Village, Masongaleni. The late Nzoka, grandfather of Masongaleni MCA Bryan Nzoka, was eulogised as a respected elder, community arbitrator and political mentor.

Mutula criticised remarks by some Members of Parliament who described bicycles issued to Community Health Promoters (CHPs) as “bicycle ambulances”, saying the claims misrepresented the programme and could mislead the public.

He also opposed plans requiring beneficiaries in 20 settlement schemes to make payments to settlement trustees despite already holding title deeds. The governor vowed to defend the residents’ land ownership rights and urged those affected to unite in opposing the proposed charges, which he alleged were politically motivated.

Also present were Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu,County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku, several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs), and County Executive Committee Members.

Mzee Tom was a respected elder, arbitrator and political Mentor.

ELDERLY MAKUENI RESIDENT HAILS MUTULA CARE AFTER YEARS OF COSTLY ILLNESS

For 74-year-old Elizabeth Munini from Kyuasini Village in Ukia Ward, Kaiti Constituency, receiving a Universal Healthcare Insurance card under the Mutula Care medical scheme marked a significant milestone in her long battle with chronic illness.

Munini has lived with asthma since 1968 and has been managing arthritis and hypertension since 2009. In 2019, she was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, further compounding her health challenges.

Her family’s burden has been made even heavier by her husband’s ongoing battle with prostate cancer.

She said meeting the cost of treatment has been difficult, as the family depends solely on farming for its livelihood and their children are unable to provide substantial financial support.

Munini lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration for prioritising vulnerable members of the community under the Makueni Care programme, saying the medical cover will significantly improve access to healthcare services both within and outside the county.

The county has so far factored about 10,000 households in the medical scheme, with distribution of cards continuing across Makueni.

On Thursday, the Director of Planning in the Department of Health Services, David Kiuluku, issued 370 Makueni Care insurance cards to residents of Ukia Ward during an event held at Mukuyuni ACK Hall.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI COMMISSIONS TWIN WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS IN MULALA WARD

Residents of Mulala Ward are celebrating improved access to clean and safe water following the commissioning of two major water projects by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday.

One of the projects, the Mulala Borehole Project, was drilled by the County Government during the 2024/2025 Financial Year, with a yield of 15,000 litres per hour. Through a partnership with Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), water from the borehole has been distributed to 10 water points, benefiting 3,500 village residents as well as 1,700 learners at Mulala Girls Secondary School, and Mulala, Iviani and Uthangathini primary schools.

The Deputy Governor also commissioned Yandia Water Project, raising the total number of water projects implemented in Mulala Ward to 26 over the last four years. Mulili said the investments have significantly expanded water coverage, bringing the ward close to achieving universal access to clean and safe water.

She noted that the projects are part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which aims to ensure every household has reliable access to clean water, less than 2km by 2027

YANDIA WATER PROJECT BRINGS LASTING RELIEF TO 4,000 EMALI-MULALA RESIDENTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday commissioned the Yandia Water Project in Emali/Mulala Ward, a transformative initiative implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is set to improve access to clean and safe water for more than 4,000 residents through the construction of seven water points strategically located at Kwa Soo, Kwa Mbindo, Kwa Mutie, Kanyonyoo, Kwa Mulandi, Kativani and Muselele villages.

Beyond water access, the project promotes climate-smart agriculture by supporting households with conical and vertical kitchen gardens, enabling families to enhance food production, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change.

The initiative is expected to end years of water-related conflicts caused by scarce water sources while advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which seeks to ensure every household has access to reliable and safe water.

MAKUENI EMPOWERS 33 KEE BODA BODA RIDERS WITH PROFESSIONAL DRIVING SKILLS

Thirty-three boda boda riders from Kee Ward have graduated to become fully qualified motor vehicle drivers after successfully completing a county-sponsored driving training programme. The graduates were issued with interim driving licences during a ceremony held at Kee Market on Wednesday.

The programme, spearheaded by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, is designed to help boda boda riders transition into professional driving and access broader employment opportunities.

Speaking during the licence issuance ceremony, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the initiative, now in its third phase in Kee Ward, will proceed to a fourth phase to give more young people an opportunity to benefit.

Kyoni noted that the programme reflects Makueni’s continued commitment to investing in youth by equipping them with practical skills that enable them to transition into new careers, secure gainful employment and build sustainable livelihoods.

Kee Ward MCA Albanus Manzu, who also attended the event, called on more young people to take advantage of the next phase of the programme by registering in large numbers.

MAKUENI URGES BODABODA RIDERS TO JOIN SACCOS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The County Government of Makueni has urged bodaboda operators to join registered Saccos to strengthen their businesses, access affordable credit and benefit from county empowerment programmes.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Ema Bodaboda Energies Fuel Station in Emali, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said organized groups stand a better chance of accessing the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), where eligible Saccos can obtain loans of KSh 50,000 and above to expand their investments.

Eng. Kyoni commended the bodaboda fraternity for establishing the fuel station, noting that the venture will diversify their income, strengthen their financial stability and improve livelihoods.

The initiative, spearheaded by James Kimanthi Mbaluka and the Emali bodaboda fraternity, is expected to create new economic opportunities for riders while supporting the wider Emali community