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GOVERNOR MUTULA CALLS FOR PEACE AS BISHOP SIMON PETER KAMOMOE INSTALLED TO LEAD WOTE DIOCESE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Saturday joined thousands of Catholic faithful at Unoa Grounds in Wote for the installation of Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe as the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wote, in a ceremony led by Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

The installation marked a significant milestone for the Diocese of Wote, drawing clergy, political leaders and worshippers from across the region.

Addressing the congregation, Governor Mutula congratulated Bishop Kamomoe on his appointment and wished him success in his new pastoral mission.

The governor also called on the Catholic Church to continue praying for the country as Kenya heads toward the next General Election, emphasizing the need for national unity and peaceful coexistence.

He urged political leaders to work together and consistently preach peace to their supporters, saying harmony would be critical in the period leading up to the polls.

In his remarks, Mutula further told the congregation that the Makueni community had sent Wiper Party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka to seek national leadership, describing him as a “fisher of men” in reference to the upcoming elections.

Also speaking during the ceremony, Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, appealed to young people to remain law-abiding and resist being manipulated into violence.

He urged the youth not to allow themselves to be used as goons, but instead to uphold the rule of law and contribute positively to society.

In his maiden address as Bishop of Wote, Bishop Simon Peter Kamomoe pledged to faithfully advance the Gospel, saying he would dedicate his ministry to proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, and serving the faithful entrusted to his care.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI URGES FARMERS TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY AND VALUE ADDITION

Makueni Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili has urged farmers to embrace modern farming technologies, innovation, and value addition to enhance agricultural productivity, improve household incomes, and strengthen food security across the county.

Speaking during the second day of the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair at Makindu Showground on Friday, Mulili said empowering households with practical farming knowledge, modern technologies, and market-driven production is key to building resilient families and creating sustainable livelihoods.

She noted that the annual exhibition continues to provide a valuable platform where farmers interact with experts, learn modern agricultural practices, access quality farm inputs, and explore new market opportunities that can transform farming into a profitable enterprise.

The exhibition showcased a wide range of innovations and household-focused farming practices, including climate-smart agriculture, poultry production, apiculture (beekeeping), kitchen gardening, agroecological farming, livestock management, farm mechanization, irrigation technologies, value addition, agribusiness solutions, financial services, and agricultural research aimed at boosting food production and environmental sustainability.

Mulili further commended development partners, exhibitors, and agricultural stakeholders for their continued investment in innovative solutions that are empowering farmers, improving productivity, and strengthening agricultural value chains across the region.

She also applauded the vibrant entertainment that accompanied the exhibition, congratulating the upcoming musicians who graced the event for their outstanding performances and encouraging them to continue nurturing their talents.

The event brought together county leaders, government officials, farmers, exhibitors, development partners, and stakeholders from Makueni, Kitui, and Taita Taveta counties to showcase innovations in agriculture, livestock production, agribusiness, and value addition, while promoting knowledge exchange and regional collaboration in the agricultural sector.

SMART FARMING INNOVATIONS STEAL THE SHOW AT MAKUENI TRADE FAIR

Innovation, technology and agribusiness opportunities came alive as the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair officially opened at Makindu Showground, with climate-smart farming and value chain development emerging as the major attractions for hundreds of farmers, investors and trade enthusiasts.

On the first day of the show, exhibitors showcased modern farming technologies, climate-smart farming practices, quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock production technologies, value addition, post-harvest handling, financial services, agribusiness solutions and locally manufactured products.

Speaking during the official opening of the three-day exhibition, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Makueni as a leading agricultural powerhouse through investment in smart farming, value chain development and market access.

The innovations are aimed at increasing awareness on productivity, reducing production costs, enhancing food security and creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers.

Mutula further expressed confidence that the county is steadily earning its place among Kenya’s top agricultural producers, with the sector playing a key role in improving household incomes and driving economic growth.

These exhibitions features latest agricultural technologies, certified seeds, modern irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock innovations, quality agrochemicals, greenhouse technologies, post-harvest solutions, value addition, financial and insurance services, agribusiness advisory, trade innovations and locally manufactured products.

Additionally, the innovations are empowering farmers to boost productivity, reduce losses, improve food security and unlock profitable markets.

The first-day ceremony that culminated with awarding of stunning exhibitors brought together County Executive Committee Members led by acting Agriculture CECM Damaris Kavoi, Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, national government representatives, development partners, exhibitors and local leaders, all united in advancing agriculture as the engine of Makueni’s economic transformation.

SH 13 MILLION FLLoCA PROJECT TO TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE IN MBITINI WARD

Mbitini Ward is poised for a major agricultural transformation following the launch of the Muuoni–Mbitini Water Distribution for Agriculture and Livelihood Restoration Project.

The KSh 13 million project, funded by the Government of Makueni County through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, will harness water abstracted from the Muuoni River through the construction of a 100,000-litre underground sump and a gravity-fed distribution system to support irrigation at Kavuthu area.

The project is expected to benefit residents of Wenzi, Kwa Ngundo, and Maiden villages, which have long experienced acute water shortages, especially during prolonged dry spells. By providing reliable irrigation water, the initiative will boost horticultural production while promoting banana and avocado cultivation as part of efforts to restore degraded land and diversify household livelihoods.

To enhance the value chain, the project will also capitalize on the ward’s existing cold storage facility by training farmers in post-harvest handling, value addition, and market linkages, helping to reduce post-harvest losses, improve produce quality, and increase household incomes.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS STRATEGIC MoUS TO BOOST WATER SECURITY, FOOD PRODUCTION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADS-E) and Rural Water Management Solutions (Kenya) to accelerate access to safe water, enhance food security and build climate resilience across the county.

Governor Mutula said the collaborations, which will focus on sustainable development, will ensure prudent use of available resources while delivering tangible benefits to the people of Makueni. He challenged the partners to prioritize sustainability, safeguard water infrastructure from vandalism and deliver measurable results that improve the lives of Makueni residents.

Under the MOUs signed in Wote, ADS-E will invest KSh 910 million over the next three years to support climate-smart agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), environmental conservation, health and community resilience, while the renewed collaboration with Rural Water Management Solutions will expand access to reliable and safe drinking water through professional water management, digital technologies and strengthened water systems.

ADS-E CEO, John Mutua, and CEO Rural Water Management Solutions Eng. Jamlick Mutie signed MOUs for their respective organisations. Acting County Executive Committee Member, Water, Irrigation and Sanitation, Japheth Mangoka also attended the event.

MAKUENI RALLIES PARTNERS TO ACCELERATE MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH INITIATIVE

The Department of Health Services on Friday convened a Reproductive Health and Family Planning Technical Working Group meeting to develop a coordinated plan for accelerating the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) initiative across Makueni County.

The meeting brought together key development partners, including Jhpiego, the Kenya Red Cross, Jacaranda Health, Women Engaged in Development, Anita Mbinya Foundation, VSO, Makueni Development Trust and Vitamin Angels, to strengthen collaborative efforts aimed at reducing maternal and newborn deaths.

Participants agreed on several priority actions to guide implementation of the initiative. These include establishing an EWENE Steering Committee to oversee implementation, strengthening Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR), improving emergency obstetric care and referral systems, enhancing access to essential health commodities and blood products, and ensuring that mothers receive postpartum family planning counselling and services before being discharged from health facilities.

The agreed interventions are expected to enhance coordination among stakeholders and improve the quality of maternal and newborn healthcare services across the county.

HUDUMA MASHINANI PHASE II BEGINS IN THANGE WARD

Hundreds of residents of Thange Ward on Thursday turned up at Kasasule as the County Government of Makueni launched Phase II of the Huduma Mashinani programme, bringing key government services closer to wananchi.

Residents accessed services including national ID registration, birth and death certificates, voter registration, KRA PIN processing, HELB support, police abstracts and NSSF registration.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Sebastian Kyoni said the second phase followed the successful completion of Phase I, which served more than 80,000 residents across the county.

Among those served was 80-year-old Tabitha Kinyanzii of Muumoni Village, who, alongside three other residents, began the process of acquiring a national identity card for the first time.

The programme is one of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s flagship initiatives aimed at improving access to government services.

MUTULA, LSK OFFICIALS FORGE PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday met officials of the newly elected Law Society of Kenya (LSK) South Eastern Branch and pledged closer collaboration to improve access to justice and legal services in the county.

The delegation, led by Branch Chairperson Priscillah Kioko and Secretary Doreen Mwau, discussed legal aid, expansion of Huduma Mashinani services, settlement of pending bills, land succession disputes and plans to secure land at Matiliku for the construction of a court.

Governor Mutula urged lawyers to embrace a collective approach to addressing community challenges, saying stronger cooperation between the county government and the legal fraternity would enhance service delivery and promote social justice for residents.

GOVERNOR MUTULA OPENS EASTERN REGION SECONDARY SCHOOL GAMES IN MAKUENI

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday opened the Eastern Region Secondary School Term Two Games at Makueni Boys High School, where hundreds of students are competing in a three-day tournament.

The games feature football, volleyball, rugby, badminton and other disciplines, with top teams set to qualify for the national championships.

Governor Mutula urged participants to uphold discipline, teamwork and sportsmanship, describing school games as a key platform for nurturing future athletes.

He said the county had deployed ambulances and medical personnel from Makueni County Referral Hospital and Kambi Mawe Dispensary to provide emergency services throughout the tournament.

The governor was accompanied by County Executive Committee Members Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Nicholas Nzioka, among other county officials.