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𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐢’𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐥 𝐍𝐢𝐧̃𝐨 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬.

𝐖𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday chaired the County Steering Group on Disaster Risk Management and Food Security to put in place preparatory measures for managing risks associated with the expected October-November-December (OND) El Niño rains.

The group comprises National Government Administration Officers and County Government officers tasked with developing disaster preparedness strategies to maximize the benefits of the enhanced rains while averting loss of lives, property, and livelihoods.

Governor Mutula said his administration will mobilize all necessary resources and partners to ensure Makueni navigates the season safely and without disruptions.

𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁.

𝗠𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 – Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday inspected the Mulima Water Project in Mbooni Ward as the county government works to complete the initiative.

The project aims to expand access to safe and reliable water in Tulimani, Mbooni and Kithungo Kitundu wards, benefiting an estimated 25,000 households.

Implemented in five phases since the 2022/2023 financial year, the project comprises the Mulima dam, treatment plant, pumping infrastructure, storage tanks and distribution pipelines. Phases One(construction of Chemical Building, construction of water treatment and pumping facility) to Three have been completed, while Phase Four ( Syuluni tank construction and distribution to Kikima town ) is 70 per cent complete , while Phase Five, ( Mulima water Livelihood and restoration project) funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, is 95 per cent complete.

The works have included distribution to Nthungoni, Nzeveni and Ndoo; construction of a chemical building and treatment facility; installation of pumping infrastructure; a 100,000-litre distribution tank at Syiluni Hill; five Syiluni water kiosks; and pipelines connecting Syiluni to Kivandini tanks, Kikima Market and the Forest tank. The network is also being extended from Kyangoma to Kikalyoni, Kiinyuni, Ndolo, Katumbu, Mweani and Kiveetyo, while a kiosk is being built at Kikima Market and the Ulilinzi petrol station facility rehabilitated.

Mutula reiterated his commitment to solving Makueni water challenges, urging the community to protect the projects.

The project is expected to restore full functionality once the outstanding works are completed.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐢 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬.

𝐖𝐎𝐓𝐄, 𝟏𝟏𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – Makueni County is stepping up efforts to strengthen the mango value chain by bringing farmers, cooperatives, exporters, processors, offtakers and regulators together to tackle persistent market and production challenges.

The stakeholder forum was organised by the Department of Agriculture in partnership with TradeMark Africa (TMA) and brought together representatives of 22 mango farmer cooperatives across the county, exporters, local offtakers, processors, KEPHIS, HCD and officers from the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Devolution.

The discussions focused on traceability, quality standards, cooperative capacity, market linkages and the role of mango marketing agents, with stakeholders seeking practical solutions to improve the competitiveness of Makueni mangoes.

Addressing the forum, County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi emphasised that quality must remain at the heart of the mango business. He urged cooperatives to strengthen farmer records, better understand their membership and mobilise more farmers into organised groups to enhance traceability and collective marketing.

The stakeholders agreed that cooperatives should assess their capacity to aggregate and transport mangoes directly from farms, while maintaining continuous engagement with exporters and offtakers. Contract farming was also identified as a key pathway towards creating more predictable markets and reducing uncertainty for farmers.

Dr. Kyambi noted that the County Government is pursuing new opportunities to expand mango markets, including a recent delegation to Oman to explore potential export markets.

Agriculture Chief Officer Kinns Mwania urged farmers and cooperatives to make full use of available pack houses while ensuring that mangoes meet required quality and handling standards.

The forum marked a renewed push for stronger collaboration across the mango value chain, with stakeholders committing to ensure that Makueni mangoes reach markets in the right quality, quantity and condition; and at better returns for farmers.

𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞.

In a show of empathy and compassion, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday paid another visit to two Kalembwani accident victims still hospitalized at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, checking on their recovery and offering support during this difficult time. He also used the occasion to interact with other hospital visitors and patients .

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. visits the Makueni Ambulance Dispatch Centre.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. visits the Makueni Ambulance Dispatch Centre, where he experienced first-hand how the county’s centralised ambulance management and dispatch system is strengthening emergency medical response.

The technology-enabled system is designed to improve ambulance coordination, optimise deployment, enhance response times and strengthen accountability in the delivery of emergency services across the county.

The initiative is part of Makueni’s broader efforts to modernise emergency healthcare and ensure residents can access timely and reliable ambulance services when they need them most.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects the ongoing construction of the Makueni County Referral Hospital Mortuary.

In pictures: Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects the ongoing construction of the Makueni County Referral Hospital Mortuary. The facility is now 70% complete, with finishing works and equipping set to be undertaken as the project moves towards completion.

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐢 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

𝐖𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 -Makueni is set to get a major boost in vaccine storage and distribution with the construction of a regional cold store at the Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr inspected the facility, which has a storage capacity of 30 cubic metres and will be able to hold between four million and six million doses of vaccines.

The walk-in cold room is designed to maintain vaccines at the required temperature of between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, helping preserve their potency and ensure uninterrupted immunisation services across the county.

The facility will supply vaccines to the county’s six sub-counties and 285 immunising facilities, including public, private and faith-based health facilities.

Makueni is hosting the pioneer project, which will also be used as a training centre for biomedical engineers and other health personnel from across the country.

The initiative is supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) With Makueni being among 16 counties benefiting from the initiative aimed at improving access to immunisation services.

𝐊𝐢𝐛𝐰𝐞𝐳𝐢 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐢’𝐬 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲.

𝐊𝐈𝐁𝐖𝐄𝐙𝐈, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 – Emerging and established musicians from Kibwezi East and West on Wednesday converged in Kibwezi Town for a vibrant forum celebrating the region’s rising creative talent. Bringing together gospel and secular artists, producers and promoters under the Makueni Artists Association, the forum provided a platform for networking, mentorship and collaboration.

Attending the event, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism CECM Irene Makau Mwilu reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where talent can thrive, noting that investing in creatives is investing in jobs, enterprise and Makueni’s cultural identity.

The forum is an indication of a growing ambition: to turn Makueni’s creative talent into a powerful engine for culture, employment, enterprise and economic growth; giving local artists not only a stage, but a future.

𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has concluded a development tour of Mavindini Ward, highlighting progress in water provision and agricultural empowerment while addressing residents’ concerns over the Thwake Dam project.

Mutula said the Athi-Mavindini Water Project is now supplying water to Mavindini Market, improving access to water for residents and businesses.

He urged farmers to join cooperatives and take advantage of county agricultural programmes to access loans, strengthen their enterprises and increase their incomes.

Residents raised concerns over the assessment and compensation of families affected by the construction of Thwake Dam.

Mutula said he had taken up the matter with the National Land Commission and would push for proper assessment and rightful compensation of those affected.

The governor said his administration would continue implementing projects aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities in Mavindini Ward.

𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐢-𝐌𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬.

𝐌𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐈, 𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 -More than 6,500 residents of Mavindini Ward are set to benefit from improved access to safe and reliable water following the commissioning of the Athi-Mavindini Water Project by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday.

The governor commissioned the project during his development tour of Mavindini Ward, accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Clerk Kevin Mutuku, county officials and several MCAs.

The project comprises a 100-cubic-metre reinforced concrete intake sump, a solar-powered pumping system, more than 11 kilometres of rising main and over 7.5 kilometres of distribution pipelines.

It also includes a water treatment plant and solar-powered pumping system at Miangeni, a 150-cubic-metre masonry storage tank at Ilumani, security facilities, sanitation amenities, CCTV cameras and security lighting.Three institutions have been connected to the water supply, while two markets, three water kiosks and one water point are also being served.

The project further includes a four-kilometre irrigation pipeline with 40 tees, supporting agricultural activities in the area.

The County Government of Makueni, working in partnership with FLLoCA, has enhanced the Athi water supply system to enable abstraction of between 18 and 20 cubic metres of water per hour from the Athi River.The water is treated at Miangeni before 15 cubic metres per hour is conveyed to the Ilumani storage tank for distribution.The investment has substantially improved water security in Athi-Mavindini and reduced residents’ dependence on untreated river water.

Governor Mutula said the project will reduce exposure to crocodile attacks along the Athi River, particularly among residents who previously depended on the river for their water needs.

He said the infrastructure would strengthen access to reliable water for households, institutions, businesses and irrigation in the area. He called upon residents to protect the project against vandalism.