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MAKUENI TRAINS SACCO LEADERS ON INCLUSIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

The Makueni County Department of Transport, in partnership with FLONE Initiative, has conducted a capacity-building training for SACCO leaders aimed at improving services for Persons with Disabilities in the public transport sector.

The training focused on equipping SACCO leaders with practical skills to enhance their interaction with and support for Persons with disabilities, as part of broader efforts to promote inclusive mobility across the county.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the FLONE Initiative, Acting Chief Officer for Infrastructure, Transport and Public Works, Eng. Martin Kitavi, reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to accessible and safe public transport systems that cater to all residents.

Participants underwent sessions on disability awareness, inclusive service delivery and customer sensitivity, with discussions centered on building a people-centered transport system. Leaders also committed to implementing inclusive practices within their SACCO operations.

County Public Transport and Mechanical Engineer Kamami Musyoka and Senior Administration Officer Winnie Musyoki attended the training, emphasizing that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to make the transport sector more responsive, efficient and inclusive.

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS SENSORY THERAPY SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM.

Is your child overwhelmed by everyday sounds or textures? Have you encountered children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who struggle to cope with their surroundings?

Families in Makueni may now have a reason for hope, as public health facilities step up efforts to support children facing sensory processing challenges through strengthened rehabilitation services.

Sensory processing, how the brain receives, organizes, and responds to information from the senses, plays a critical role in a child’s development.

When this process is disrupted, it can affect behavior, learning, and daily functioning. Recognizing this, the Makueni County Department of Health Services has intensified interventions within its rehabilitation units to better support affected children.

In a significant boost to these efforts, the department on Friday partnered with Kenyatta National Hospital to conduct a comprehensive training session for county therapists. The session focused on sensory integration techniques as well as the proper installation and maintenance of specialized therapeutic equipment.

The training forms part of a broader strategy to promote evidence-based practice among healthcare providers, ensuring that children receive effective, safe, and consistent care across county facilities.

According to Mikie Baron, a clinical Occupational Therapist and a brand ambassador at Kenyatta National Hospital, sensory interventions in occupational therapy involve carefully designed activities that help individuals, especially children process sensory information more efficiently.

This, in turn, improves emotional regulation, concentration, and overall daily functioning.

During the sensitization forum, stakeholders identified the establishment of a sensory gym as a top priority for county health facilities.

The proposed facility would provide a safe and structured environment for therapy, enabling individualized interventions and allowing children to explore sensory experiences in a controlled setting.

GOVERNOR MUTULA FLAGS OFF MAKUENI TEAM FOR KYISA GAMES IN LAIKIPIA

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has flagged off Makueni’s contingent of players to the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games set to take place in Laikipia County.

The team will depart for Nyahururu tomorrow (Saturday) for the week-long tournament that brings together youth aged 18–23 from all 47 counties to showcase their talent and compete for top honors.

Governor Mutula expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, noting that Makueni is well-prepared to defend its strong performance from previous editions. He highlighted that the squads were competitively selected from the recently concluded Ligi Mashinani and MKJ Supa Cup tournaments.

Makueni heads into the competition as defending champions in women’s football and men’s basketball, and runners-up in men’s football, men’s volleyball, and women’s basketball from the 10th edition held in Homa Bay last year.

The Governor attributed this success to robust grassroots sports management, strategic ward-level funding, and a rigorous talent scouting process involving national club scouts

NADCO TEAM CROWNS MAKUENI GOLD STANDARD FOR DEVOLUTION

The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) implementation team has endorsed Makueni County as a national model for devolution after an assessment visit.

Led by Dr. Agnes Zani, the team is overseeing the rollout of the NADCO report’s 10-point reform agenda.

The committee praised Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for disciplined, hands-on leadership and a governance model that places communities at the center of planning and budgeting—capturing the essence of bottom-up development.

Makueni’s strong working relationship between the executive and the County Assembly was highlighted as a pillar of accountability under the Constitution.

NADCO officials cited the county’s performance in local revenue generation, integrated governance, and structured public participation as standout strengths. They also singled out the Ward Development Fund for driving equitable resource allocation and commended efforts to implement the one-third gender rule.

Makueni Deputy governor Lucy Mulili also attended the meeting.

EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

The Department of ICT, Education & Internship today marked a powerful and inspiring moment as Makueni Tech & Innovation Hub in collaboration with CITAM Church through the Tuvuke Bridge program, engaged a vibrant group of young people on trending Technologies shaping our world today.

The session took a practical dive into Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its growing influence across industries and everyday life. Together, we explored how AI is actively transforming sectors such as business, healthcare, education, and finance, while also unpacking real, relatable use cases that connect directly with the realities of young people today.

A key highlight was introducing accessible and impactful AI tools that the youth can begin using to learn, create, innovate, and even generate income. Equally important were our discussions around the ethical and responsible use of AI, emphasizing that as technology evolves, so must our values, accountability, and awareness.

At Makueni Innovation Hub, we remain committed to nurturing a generation that is not only digitally skilled, but also innovative, responsible, and ready to shape the future.

#GovernmentOfMakueniCounty#MakueniInnovationHub#TuvukeBridge#CITAM#ArtificialIntelligence#AIForYouth

MAKUENI BOOSTS IRRIGATION DRIVE TO EMPOWER FARMERS

The Government of Makueni County, in partnership with the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), on Thursday held an Irrigation Accelerator Platform forum aimed at strengthening irrigation adoption and improving farmers’ incomes.

Attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, the meeting brought together farmers, private sector players, government officials and development partners to unlock challenges and attract investment in irrigation.

The initiative focuses on helping smallholder farmers increase production, access markets and add value to their produce.

Speaking at the forum, Mulili emphasized the county’s commitment to practical solutions noting that investing in irrigation is paramount to secure livelihoods and make farming profitable and sustainable.

The forum was also attended by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Felistus Mutune alongside farmer-led representatives and irrigation officers.

MOTHER AND CHILD HOSPITAL IN WOTE RECORDS MAJOR GAINS IN PRETERM BABY SURVIVAL

The Mother and Child Hospital in Wote is registering tremendous strides in improving outcomes for preterm babies, with significant gains recorded from July 2024 to date.

According to the Head of the Newborn Unit, Francisca Kisilu, the introduction and consistent use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines has been a major contributor to these positive outcomes.

The machines support breathing in preterm infants, many of whom are born with underdeveloped lungs.

Preterm babies often lack sufficient surfactant, a substance that prevents the lungs from collapsing, making them highly vulnerable to respiratory complications. CPAP machines help keep the air sacs (alveoli) open during breathing and also support the production of surfactant, thereby stabilizing the infants’ respiratory function.

In addition, the Ministry of Health 2023 rollout of Caffeine Citrate, an essential drug used in management of apnea of maturity, has further strengthened neonatal care.

The Nurse in Charge of the Mother and Child Hospital, Christine Muteria, notes that the drug was initially not readily available. However, its consistent supply has since improved care outcomes.

In addition the county got donations of 22000 vials from Clinton Health Access Initiative

Francisca also commends the impact of the drug in reducing mortality rates, explaining that it is administered to babies born before 34 weeks of gestation.

She also highlights the role of infusion and syringe pumps, which have made it easier for neonatal nurses to administer intravenous fluids accurately and efficiently.

Efforts to improve maternal nutrition have equally played a key role. The county has prioritized nutritional screening for expectant mothers during antenatal care (ANC), with those meeting specific criteria receiving fortified blended flour for porridge, alongside other supplements.

According to Anncietta Nduku,a nutrition officer at the County Referral Hospital, these interventions have significantly contributed to better preterm outcomes, while also supporting further management in cases of preterm delivery.

To strengthen capacity, the county government procured five CPAP machines, six infusion pumps, and two syringe pumps. Additional support from Eni Kenya saw the facility receive two more CPAP machines, four infusion pumps, and two syringe pumps.

ENI Kenya also donated incubators, infrared light for Jaundiced babies and Neonatal ICU equipment

Francisca, a neonatal care champion, has also been instrumental in training nurses and clinicians on the effective use of CPAP machines.

She noted that cases of respiratory distress were previously high, but current data from the Makueni County referral Hospital -New born Unit shows that in 2024, survival rate was 81% and increased in 2025 by 10% , therefore recording a 90%.

In the first quarter of the calendar year,the facility is recording a survival rate of 98 %a significant decline in neonatal mortality rates at the facility.

Meanwhile, the Acting Director in charge of Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, affirmed that Caffeine Citrate has remained consistently available in all delivery facilities across the county since its adoption as an essential component of preterm care by the Ministry of Health.

MAKUENI PREPARES FOR MCEF ROLLOUT TO BOOST GROUP ENTERPRISES

Organized groups engaged in income-generating activities in Makueni are set for a major boost as the county government prepares to roll out the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF).

With a capital outlay of Sh168 million, the fund will support women, youth, PWDs, and other marginalized groups to grow their enterprises and transition into mainstream financial systems.

Initially launched in 2015 as the Tetheka Fund, the initiative faced challenges including high default rates and weak recovery mechanisms.

Under the leadership of Mutula Kilonzo Jr, the fund has been restructured to align with reviewed legal frameworks, reduce default risks, and enhance financial inclusion.

On Tuesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, alongside Gender Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, presided over the induction of the County Fund Committee ahead of the rollout phase.

Lending will be issued to organized groups through a digital platform developed in partnership with Safaricom.

MAKUENI EYES KYISA TITLE DEFENSE AFTER SUCCESSFUL MKJ SUPA CUP TALENT HUNT

Makueni County has made a significant stride towards defending its Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games title after successfully conducting talent scouting during the MKJ Supa Cup County Finals.

The MKJ Supa Cup served as a platform to select all-star teams in football, volleyball, handball, and basketball that will represent the county at the 11th edition of KYISA, scheduled to take place in Laikipia from 10th to 19th April 2026.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who graced the closing ceremony of this year’s MKJ Supa Cup, said his administration continues to invest in sports infrastructure development to ensure more young people have opportunities to nurture their talents and secure recruitment into elite national clubs.