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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.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES AJIRA KWA VIJANA PROGRAM AS OVER 2,200 YOUTHS SET TO BENEFIT

The Government of Makueni County has launched the Ajira kwa Vijana program, with Wote Nziu Ward becoming the first ward to implement the initiative aimed at empowering youths through short-term employment opportunities.

Speaking during the launch, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, announced that the county has allocated Ksh 2 million for the program, benefiting over 582 casual workers in the ward.

The initiative involves mitre drain construction, bush clearing, and unclogging of culverts and drainage systems to improve infrastructure while creating income opportunities for young people.

Kyoni noted that the program will also be rolled out in Nguu/Masumba, Makindu, Nguumo and Kikumbulyu North wards this week, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to more than 2,200 youths.

Area MCA Felix Mateso commended the initiative, saying it will empower youths and contribute to environmental conservation and community development.

The program is part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s commitment to creating opportunities that enhance youth livelihoods and participation in development.

MAKUENI’S SAND DAMS: WHERE CONSERVATION MEETS COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

As the world continues to celebrate progress in environmental conservation and strengthen efforts to reverse environmental degradation, Makueni County is steadily reaping the benefits of strategic river ecosystem restoration spearheaded by the Makueni County Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority.

Established in 2015 to regulate the previously uncontrolled sand harvesting that had severely degraded river ecosystems and, in some cases, led to loss of lives among environmental advocates, the Authority has made significant strides in restoring and protecting the county’s natural resources.

To date, the Authority has constructed 26 sand dams across 13 wards, transforming degraded riverbeds into productive ecosystems. Beyond the Authority’s interventions, Makueni County, in collaboration with development partners, has constructed over 1,000 sand dams, significantly improving water availability, supporting irrigation, accelerating environmental restoration and strengthening climate resilience.

According to the Authority’s Managing Director, Ndambuki Kioko, the success of the initiative underscores the importance of community-driven and policy-supported environmental conservation efforts in building climate resilience, enhancing livelihoods, and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

MAKUENI INTENSIFIES CLEAN ENERGY PUSH AS GOVERNOR PLEDGES END TO BIOMASS USE IN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS

Makueni County has stepped up its transition to clean energy, with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. pledging that all new public institutions constructed or renovated under his administration will adopt clean energy solutions instead of biomass fuels.

Speaking during the Green Energy Promotion and Clean Cooking Advocacy Forum at Konza Technopolis on Friday, Mutula said schools, health facilities and technical training institutions remain among the county’s biggest consumers of firewood, a trend he warned is driving deforestation, escalating energy costs and contributing to serious health challenges among residents.

The governor said the County had already initiated efforts to champion clean cooking through strategic partnerships and investments in renewable energy infrastructure aimed at reducing dependence on firewood and charcoal.

He noted that the county’s energy transition is anchored in the Makueni County Energy Plan 2023–2032 and the Makueni Energy Policy 2025, which place clean, affordable and sustainable energy at the centre of development planning.

The governor further highlighted the distribution of 253 LPG cylinders in Kikumbulyu South as part of the county’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of clean cooking technologies at the household level.

Addressing the forum, Prof. Izael Pereira Da Silva, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Innovation at Strathmore University, described Makueni’s clean cooking transition as a transformative agenda that has positioned the County among Kenya’s leading examples of sustainable energy adoption.

He urged accelerated decarbonisation, warning that renewed investment in coal production and continued dependence on fossil fuels posed a significant threat to the future of the planet.

In addition, Prof. Da Silva called for the democratisation of energy, saying communities should be empowered to participate more actively in energy production and consumption.

The forum brought together county officials, development partners, technology providers, financiers, educators and Ward Energy Champions to explore practical solutions for accelerating clean cooking and renewable energy adoption across Makueni.

DNRC RECEIVES 100-SEATER TENT AND CHAIRS AS KAMBA CULTURE TAKES CENTER STAGE

The rich heritage of the Kamba community came alive on Friday as residents of Kisau Division in Mbooni gathered at the Drylands Natural Resource Centre (DNRC) to celebrate traditional foods, herbal medicine, music and indigenous knowledge.

The cultural event attracted wide participation from local residents and visitors, reaffirming the importance of preserving and promoting Kamba traditions.

A key highlight of the day was the handover of a 100-seater tent by the County Government to DNRC to support cultural exhibitions and community events.

Speaking during the occasion, DNRC proprietor Nicholas Syano called on communities to embrace indigenous products and safeguard traditional knowledge as a valuable cultural and economic resource.

In line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s development agenda, the County Government has set aside funds in the 2026/27 financial year to support the preservation and commercialization of Kamba indigenous knowledge and products.

The event was attended by Director Mutua Mulonzya of Culture, Music and the Arts directorate.

MAKUENI BEGINS ROLLOUT OF INTEREST-FREE COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT FUND

Hundreds of households in Makueni County are poised to benefit from expanded economic opportunities as the county government accelerates the rollout of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), an interest-free financing program designed to strengthen community enterprises and improve livelihoods..

On Friday, four groups from Nguu Masumba and Emali/Mulala wards received KSh 50,000 each to support their income-generating activities, bringing the number of beneficiary groups in the pilot phase to 25. A total of 44 groups are expected to benefit by the end of the month.

Speaking during the disbursement, Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, urged beneficiaries to invest the funds wisely, noting that successful groups can gradually increase their borrowing limit from KSh 50,000 to KSh 500,000.

The county has set aside KSh 160 million for the interest-free loan program, which targets registered groups engaged in activities such as poultry farming, goat rearing, table banking, and tree planting, in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of empowering the community and improving livelihoods.

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS PUBLIC SERVICE THROUGH PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT TRAINING

The Makueni County Government is intensifying efforts to build a high-performing public service through a five-day Capacity Building Programme on Integrated Performance Management being conducted in partnership with GIZ.

The training, which began on June 8 and concludes on June 12, has brought together more than 120 county officers, including directors, performance management champions, productivity mainstreaming champions, managers of county agencies, and leaders of tertiary institutions.

The programme is aimed at enhancing skills in performance planning, target setting, service delivery monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Speaking when she joined participants on Thursday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili underscored the importance of performance management, noting that it extends beyond contracts and targets.

She said effective performance management is anchored on personal responsibility, integrity, and a commitment to delivering quality services to the people of Makueni.

Mulili challenged county officers to embrace a results-oriented culture and recognize teams that consistently demonstrate excellence in service delivery.

She also commended GIZ for its continued partnership with the county government, saying the collaboration has significantly contributed to strengthening governance systems and enhancing institutional capacity within Makueni.

The capacity-building programme is expected to improve productivity, enhance accountability, and strengthen service delivery across county departments, ultimately contributing to more efficient and citizen-centered public services.