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GOVERNOR MUTULA ASSURES MANGO FARMERS OF SUPPORT, PROMISES AUDIT OF MANGO PURCHASES

The county government will carry out a thorough audit into how savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) have been purchasing mangoes, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has said.

Speaking while addressing residents during the commissioning of the Ngaaka Health Centre in Makindu, the governor said the process will audit how the entire process was carried out and warned that anyone found culpable of irregularities in the mango procurement process would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He said the Kalamba fruit processing plant cannot absorb all mangoes produced in the county, particularly during peak harvest seasons.

To address the gap, the county has deployed additional measures to support the mango value chain, including the use of cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses.

OVER 8,000 RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT AS NGAAKAA LEVEL 3 HEALTH FACILITY IS COMMISSIONED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday officially commissioned the Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility in Makindu–Twaandu Ward, marking a significant boost to healthcare access for residents of the area.

The facility, constructed through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, World Vision Kenya and the Mountain Blue Foundation, is expected to serve a population of more than 8,000 people in the ward and its surrounding areas.

During the commissioning ceremony, the Governor also unveiled four one-bedroom en-suite staff quarters, two 15-kilogram commercial heavy-duty laundry machines that are Wi-Fi enabled and can be operated remotely, and a 50-kilowatt-hour powerhouse. The power system will run critical equipment, including an X-ray machine, a sterilizer, an ultrasound unit and all laboratory equipment at the facility.

Ngaakaa Level 3 Health Facility comprises a fully equipped Mother and Child Hospital that will oversee antenatal and postnatal services, cervical cancer screening and child welfare clinics, complete with a patient waiting bay. The facility also features an acute care room, a fully functional pharmacy and laboratory, a modern 15-bed maternity wing, an isolation ward and several consultation rooms.

The Governor further noted that his administration remains keen on promoting universal health coverage. He said the newly commissioned health facility reflects the county’s commitment to achieving this goal.

He also announced that Makindu Sub-County Hospital will soon begin offering dialysis services following the recent posting of a nephrologist, a move he said will ease the burden on patients who previously had to seek the services at Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote.

MAKINDU RESIDENTS BENEFIT FROM FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH AT NEW NGAKAA LEVEL 3 FACILITY

Residents of Makindu Ward on Monday benefited from a free integrated medical outreach at the newly established Ngakaa Level 3 Health Facility, organized by the County Government and targeting at least 2,000 people.

The outreach brought a wide range of essential health services closer to the community, including cancer screening, eye screening, ENT and dental services, ophthalmology, mental health screening, reproductive health services, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, immunization for children under five, and laboratory services. Patients also received treatment and prescribed medication at the facility.

The initiative underscored the county’s commitment to improving access to quality healthcare, particularly for underserved communities.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and World Vision National Director Gilbert Kamanga were present at the facility during the exercise.

MAKUENI COUNTY EMPOWERS YOUTH WITH MOTORBIKES IN KIKUMBULYU SOUTH

Makueni County Government on Friday empowered youth in Kibwezi Kikumbulyu South Ward through the issuance of 16 motorbikes to support boda boda transport and small-scale business ventures, as part of its ongoing youth economic empowerment programme.

The initiative, spearheaded by the County Government under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., aims to enhance youth livelihoods, promote self-employment, and reduce unemployment across the county.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the motorbikes are meant to provide sustainable income opportunities and urged beneficiaries to take good care of the assets to ensure long-term benefits. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to scaling up youth empowerment initiatives.

Kikumbulyu South Ward Representative Jades Kalunda commended the county government for prioritising youth empowerment and called on young people to actively participate in government programmes.

COLD STORES AND PACK HOUSES UNLOCK NEW VALUE FOR FARMERS THIS MANGO SEASON

The County Government has given mango farmers a timely boost with the operationalization of Kavuthu and Kalawani Cold Stores and Pack Houses, offering a reliable solution to post-harvest losses and improved market access during the peak mango season.

On Friday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli led a farmer sensitization forum at the Kavuthu Cold Store and Pack House in Mbitini Ward, aimed at equipping farmers with practical knowledge on how to effectively utilize cold chain and pack house services to maximize returns from their produce.

Speaking during forum, the CECM urged farmers to focus on producing high-quality fruits in increased volumes and to join cooperatives, noting that organized farmers are better positioned to benefit from structured markets, fair pricing, and value-addition opportunities.

The facilities, implemented by the County Government and set to be operationalized through a partnership with TradeMark Africa, are opening up dependable markets for farmers, with Goshen providing off-take at Kalawani, while Kavuthu securing Frodotol, alongside mango and avocado buyers, guaranteeing steady and reliable produce uptake.

Also attending the forum, Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka said the facilities will enable farmers to sell collectively and access better prices, while Mbitini MCA Benard Tivu encouraged farmers to fully utilize the infrastructure to stabilize incomes during peak harvest.

By improving produce quality, extending shelf life, and directly linking farmers to reliable markets, the initiative is strengthening agricultural value chains and economically empowering farming households across the county.

MAKUENI COUNTY, WORLD VISION KENYA SIGN MOU TO BOOST WATER AND HEALTH SERVICES

Makueni County has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with World Vision Kenya to enhance access to clean water and improve healthcare services in the county.

The agreement, signed on Thursday, will support the implementation of two key initiatives—the Kiboko Water Project and the Ngaaka Health Facility—both of which are expected to significantly improve the quality of life for local residents.Speaking during the signing ceremony, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. lauded World Vision Kenya for its continued support in advancing development in the county.

Mutula thanked World Vision Kenya for working closely with the county government to restore dignity and improve livelihoods for the people of Makueni. He called for increased partnerships, assuring stakeholders of his administration’s full commitment to supporting initiatives and infrastructure projects that enhance household welfare across the county.

The MoU is expected to further strengthen cooperation between the Makueni County Government and World Vision Kenya as they jointly pursue sustainable development and improved service delivery for residents.World Vision Kenya National Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gilbert Kamanga, commended Makueni County for its progressive development agenda and for establishing strong collaboration frameworks that enable effective partnerships.

MAKUENI FRUIT PROCESSING PLANT BEGINS MANGO PROCESSING TO BOOST MANGO UPTAKE

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has announced that the county government will review the budget for the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant in the next financial year to ensure it continues supporting local farmers. Speaking on Wednesday during an official tour of the facility, Mulili assured farmers in the county that all mangoes collected at the plant are sourced from Makueni county.

She encouraged mango farmers to explore additional markets, including exports, which she said have significant potential for increased off-take.

The Deputy Governor made the remarks while meeting chairpersons of contracted cooperative societies responsible for purchasing mangoes from farmers at the plant.

The Plant has begun large-scale mango processing to create space for increased fruit intake during the peak harvest season. The move follows an overwhelming response from farmers across the county.

So far, the plant has received more than 250 metric tonnes of mangoes and is targeting to receive up to 580 metric tonnes, supported by an allocated budget of KSh 13.9 million.

According to the plant’s Chief Executive Officer, the facility is working with seven cooperative societies mandated to off-take mangoes from farmers across the county. Agriculture Executive Committee Member Elizabeth Muli said a thorough verification process is underway to ensure only genuine Makueni farmers benefit from the programme.

She added that aggressive marketing and farmer sensitisation have resulted in deliveries exceeding capacity at the ripening chambers. Processing is currently ongoing to free up space and allow continued intake, with more mango deliveries expected in the coming week.

MAKUENI, KENAS EXPLORE COLLABORATION ON ACCREDITATION

Makueni County on Wednesday hosted the Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) on a courtesy call ahead of a public participation forum on a proposed law that seeks to make accreditation mandatory in Kenya.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the delegation, led by Doris Mueni Mengo, Manager for Medical Laboratories Accreditation at KENAS. The team will conduct a public participation exercise in Wote on Thursday as part of consultations on the proposed KENAS Bill.

The Bill proposes to require laboratories, inspection bodies and certification agencies to obtain accreditation in line with internationally recognised standards, strengthening quality assurance, public safety and access to international markets.

The County expressed interest in deepening collaboration with KENAS, particularly in accrediting public health laboratories and agricultural value chains as it would improve the quality and credibility of diagnostic services in its health facilities and enhance competitiveness of its agricultural produce.

Mulili said the process would help ensure that Makueni products, such as mangoes and other horticultural produce, meet international market requirements.

KENAS is the national body mandated to provide accreditation services in Kenya and is a signatory to international mutual recognition arrangements, which allow accredited institutions in Kenya to have their results accepted globally.

COUNTY STEPS UP MANGO UPTAKE TO CUT LOSSES AND BOOST FARMER EARNINGS

Makueni County has intensified mango off-taking through the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA) to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure equitable uptake across all wards.

Speaking during a public participation forum at Kalawani Cold Store and Pack House, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli firmly stated that the county has deliberately structured an allocation for every ward to ensure farmers directly benefit from their produce.

She further committed that the department has established a multi-agency taskforce to strictly verify mango uptake and safeguard local farmers from exploitation and safeguard county farmer interests.

Supporting the initiative, Tulimani Ward MCA Kyalo Mumo assured robust Assembly oversight to ensure Kalamba Processing Plant benefits local farmers.

The sensitization forum organized by Trademark Africa, aims to operationalize the facility, strengthen aggregation, stabilize markets, and advance Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s household economic empowerment agenda.