News

MAKUENI SIGNS DEAL TO BOOST EDUCATION, JOBS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Edu-WISE project, an initiative aimed at expanding access to education and employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.

The programme will be implemented in Nduluku, MIVEC and Kisingo vocational training centres.

Under the project, teachers and staff will receive training on disability inclusion, Kenyan Sign Language and life skills, while training centres will be equipped with adaptive learning materials and improved accessibility to support inclusive learning.

The project will also award 105 scholarships to vulnerable students with disabilities in Makueni to support vocational training, internships and small business start-ups. Private sector firms will be trained on disability inclusion and participate in inclusive job fairs to increase employment opportunities for graduates.

Speaking during the signing, Governor Kilonzo thanked the development partners for choosing Makueni, saying the initiative would improve the lives of persons with disabilities through better education, skills development and access to jobs.

Edu-WISE is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and is implemented by CEFA in partnership with several organizations, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.

MAKUENI SIGNS AGREEMENTS TO BOOST WATER SERVICES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE

The Makueni County Government has signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at strengthening water service delivery and improving early childhood care.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday signed an agreement renewing the county’s partnership with Water Mission to enhance access to sustainable water solutions across Makueni.

Under the new framework, Water Mission will support the county in strengthening oversight of water utilities while promoting sustainability in water projects to improve service delivery to residents.

In a separate agreement, the county partnered with Kidogo Early Years to improve the quality of childcare in informal early learning centres.

The collaboration will focus on training informal childcare providers and supporting the operationalisation of community-based childcare centres to meet safe and sustainable standards. The programme also seeks to provide young children with quality early childhood care and a strong developmental foundation.

Governor Mutula said the partnerships underscore the county government’s commitment to expanding access to essential services through collaboration with development partners.

MAKUENI COUNTY IS PARTICIPATING IN THE 98TH KENYA MUSIC FESTIVAL AT KIBABII UNIVERSITY IN BUNGOMA COUNTY.

Makueni County is participating in the 98th Kenya Music Festival at Kibabii University in Bungoma County, representing the Eastern Region in the national arts and culture extravaganza.

The county opened its campaign with four performances on the first day of the festival, which has brought together thousands of learners, trainers and education stakeholders from across the country under the theme, “Enhancing the Creative Economy through Knowledge, Skills and Artistic Production for Sustainable Development.”. The event is expected to close on the 14th August.

The county team made an encouraging start after Ruth Samuel of Kambu Township Secondary School secured fourth position among 14 contestants in the Kiswahili solo verse category with her rendition of Sitaficha Dawa.

Leading the Makueni delegation are County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Education and Internship Japheth Mang’oka and Chief Officer Damaris Makau, who are accompanying the team as the county competes for top honours at the national championships, which run until August 14.

SEVEN MAKUENI SCHOOLS COMPETE AT 2026 KSSSA NATIONAL GAMES.

Seven schools from Makueni County are representing the county at the 2026 Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSSA) National Games in Thika, Kiambu County.

More than 7,200 students from junior and senior schools across the country are participating in the championships, which were officially opened at M-PESA Foundation Academy.

Flagging team Makueni,Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services CECM Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the county government supported its Team by providing sports kits for players and technical officials, and deploying sports officers to offer technical and logistical support.

The county is represented by Tumaini Secondary School (boys’ football), Misuuni Secondary School (girls’ football), Matiliku Boys Secondary School (boys’ volleyball and boys’ 3×3 basketball), Nduluni Secondary School (girls’ 3×3 basketball), Kitondo School (boys’ rugby 7s), and Moi Kibwezi School (girls’ netball).

The games were officially opened by Principal Secretary for Basic Education John L. Ololtuaa.

MAKUENI CALLS FOR GREATER INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION TO UNLOCK YOUTH POTENTIAL.

The County Government of Makueni through the department of Education, ICT and Internship has called on parents, teachers and communities to work together in supporting children’s education to build a skilled and productive generation.

Speaking during the prize-giving ceremony and Harambee at Matiliku Boys High School, CECM for Education, ICT and Internship Japheth Mang’oka lauded the school’s academic performance, noting that more than 90 students countrywide who were sponsored by the County Government of Makueni attained university entry grades, demonstrating the impact of investing in education.

Mang’oka urged learners to remain disciplined and focused on their studies. He encouraged parents to enrol students who did not attain university entry grades in Makueni County Technical and Vocational Training Institutions (TTIs) to acquire practical skills that can lead to employment and entrepreneurship.

The CECM also called for unity among parents, teachers and education stakeholders in supporting schools and creating an environment where every learner has the opportunity to succeed. The event also rallied support towards strengthening the school’s learning environment, reaffirming Makueni’s commitment to providing quality and inclusive education for all.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH LEARDAL GLOBAL TO STRENGTHEN MATERNAL, NEWBORN CARE

For many parents, the birth of a child is one of life’s most joyous moments. Yet the day of birth can also be one of the most critical periods for both mother and baby.

According to the World Bank, more than 70 per cent of maternal and neonatal deaths occur around the time of labour and delivery, underscoring the need for timely and effective interventions during childbirth.

Complications such as postpartum haemorrhage and newborn asphyxia can occur without warning, requiring healthcare workers to respond swiftly to save lives.

To strengthen emergency response during childbirth, Makueni County has partnered with Laerdal Global Health, a Tanzania-based non-governmental organisation that supports health systems to improve the delivery of lifesaving care.

The partnership seeks to equip frontline healthcare workers with the tools, skills and confidence needed to identify complications and respond quickly and effectively during labour, delivery and the immediate postnatal period.

Through the Safer Births Bundle of Care (SBBC) programme, the county is in the process of procuring innovative clinical tools introduced by the partner to strengthen intrapartum and newborn care across its health facilities.

Among the tools is Moyo, a fetal heart rate monitoring device worn around a pregnant woman’s abdomen to monitor fetal heart rate during labour.

The county is also procuring NeoBeat, a newborn heart rate meter placed around the baby’s chest to monitor the heartbeat, alongside Upright and Penguin devices to support newborn care.

Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joyce Mutua on Friday officially closed a six-day training for maternal and newborn health experts conducted by the Laerdal Global Health team at the Mother and Child Hospital.

Mutua welcomed the initiative, saying it would strengthen the county’s efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal deaths and complement other interventions being implemented by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes.

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.