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๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐˜‚๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ถ ๐— ๐—ผ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ธ๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐˜‚๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฐ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜€๐—ฝ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—ฆ๐—ฎ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ, ๐—œ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—น๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ฒ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ.

๐—ง๐—ฎ๐˜„๐—ฎ, ๐Ÿฑ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ-Stakeholders gathered in Tawa, Mbooni Sub-County, on Monday to give their views on proposed reforms to Makueniโ€™s public transport system, focusing on road safety, passenger welfare and regulation of public service vehicles.

The forum, organised by the County Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy, and in partnership with Flone initiative, gave residents an opportunity to raise concerns and propose solutions to challenges affecting public transport.

The views will help shape a policy seeking to address key areas including public transport, inclusivity and equity, environmental sustainability, capacity building and professionalism among others. It will also provide clearer guidelines for public service vehicles, addressing issues such as matatus operating outside designated routes, passenger harassment, and road safety. Residents are encouraged to report cases of harassment through the passenger feedback portal and reckless driving, particularly involving school-going children, while facilities such as toilets for young children are being considered to make transport more responsive to different needs.

The public participation exercise will continue throughout the week in Kibwezi, Emali, Malili and other areas, with the County working alongside Flone Initiative to ensure residentsโ€™ views shape the policy. A Public Transport Policy Tracker will also help monitor whether the policy is achieving its intended results and improving the transport experience for Makueni residents.

๐— ๐˜‚๐˜๐˜‚๐—น๐—ฎ ๐—–๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐——๐˜‚๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฏ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ฎ ๐—›๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜† ๐—”๐—ณ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—™๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น ๐—ฃ๐—ถ๐—น๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—บ๐˜€โ€™ ๐—–๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต.

๐—จ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐˜„๐—ฎ, ๐Ÿฐ๐˜๐—ต ๐—ข๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ -Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has sent a heartfelt message of condolence to the families of the 17 Catholic pilgrims who died in a road crash at Salama along the Mombasaโ€“Nairobi Highway, while renewing calls for the government to dual the busy highway.

Mutula also sent his condolences to the Catholic Church, saying the deaths were a painful reminder of the dangers faced by motorists and passengers using the highway.

He said Post-mortem examinations on the victims were ongoing.

The governor called on the national government and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) to take urgent measures to improve safety at Salama, which he said needed the same attention given to other dangerous sections such as Salgaa and Nithi Bridge.

He also demanded the establishment of a trauma centre along the highway to provide emergency medical care to crash victims.

Mutula spoke at Utangwa Catholic Parish in Kithungo-Kitundu Ward, where he led a fundraiser for the construction of a rectory.

He said the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway was national infrastructure serving road users from across the country and supporting the economy, and therefore required urgent investment.

He also highlighted his administrationโ€™s projects in water, markets and lighting, and thanked the Catholic Church for supporting development in the region, particularly in education.

Governor Mutula Urges Makueni Professionals to Support Development Initiatives.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged professionals from the county to unite and use their skills, networks and resources to drive development and improve the lives of residents.

Speaking during a meeting convened by the Makueni County Development Forum on Saturday , Governor Mutula called on professionals in the public and private sectors to support initiatives in education, healthcare, agriculture and environmental conservation among others

He commended professionals from the region who have mobilised partnerships and resources totalling more than Ksh. 500m to complement the countyโ€™s resources.

Governor Mutula also urged MCDF members to mobilise their networks to help local communities prepare for anticipated heavy rains following the predicted El Niรฑo phenomenon, while championing initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and creating opportunities for residents.

Professionals who attended the event, praised the Governor for making Makueni a better place to live through the launch of many development projects.

The Governor was accompanied by his Deputy, Lucy Mulili, Speaker of the County Assembly, Douglas Mbilu, County Secretary, Dr. Justine Kyambi, and CECMs Joyce Mutua and Nicholas Nzioka and other county officials.

KIBMAWASCO Turns to Smart Technology to Curb Water Loss.

Kibwezi-Makindu Water and Sanitation Company (KIBMAWASCO) has automated 40 water kiosks as part of efforts to reduce water losses, improve revenue collection and enhance service delivery.

Speaking during the event, Ag. CECM for Water and Sanitation Japheth Mangโ€™oka applauded the initiative, noting that automation and smart metering will strengthen water accountability, improve billing and reduce non-revenue water.

County Secretary Justine Kyambi urged the company to crack down on illegal water connections, which continue to undermine efficient water distribution across the county.

KIBMAWASCO Managing Director Joseph Mwololo revealed that unaccounted-for water had reduced from 53% last year to 46%, expressing optimism that automation would further improve efficiency and water supply monitoring, particularly in Nguumo Ward.

The company also signed a five-year strategic plan during its Annual General Meeting, outlining its roadmap for improved operations and service delivery.

CECM Finance, Damaris Kavoi and Chief Officer Water and Sanitation, David Makau attended the event.

Makueni Kicks off Dubai Mango Exports, Targets 60 Containers from Kibwezi.

Kibwezi | 2nd October 2026

Makueni County has commenced exporting Kibwezi mangoes to Dubai, targeting 60 containers equivalent to over 1,440 tonnes by the end of the season.

County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, accompanied by CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Japheth Mangโ€™oka, on Friday inspected the ongoing export preparations at the Kibwezi Cold Store.

The county is targeting to export approximately 25% of the mangoes produced in the Kibwezi region, with farmers expected to earn between KSh 25 and KSh 30 per mango.

Dr. Kyambi affirmed the countyโ€™s readiness to facilitate mango off-taking across all parts of Makueni, noting that the government will collaborate with various stakeholders to expand market access and ensure farmers benefit from their produce.

Mangโ€™oka urged farmers to join cooperatives to streamline mango aggregation and marketing, assuring them of ready local and international buyers.

The initiative seeks to strengthen market access, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmersโ€™ earnings under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐˜‚๐˜€๐—ต ๐—ณ๐—ผ๐—ฟ ๐—•๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ด๐—ผ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ธ๐—ฒ๐˜๐˜€.

๐Œ๐š๐ค๐ข๐ง๐๐ฎ: ๐Ž๐œ๐ญ๐จ๐›๐ž๐ซ ๐Ÿ๐ง๐, ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ” ~ Horticulture, particularly mango production, remains a noble livelihood and a key economic driver for thousands of farmers in Makueni County.

The County Department of Agriculture on Friday concluded a two-day sensitisation forum aimed at strengthening mango marketing, securing better prices and reducing post-harvest losses.

The forum brought together Administration and Agriculture Officers from Kilome, Kibwezi West and Kibwezi East Sub-Counties to develop a coordinated approach to mango offtake ahead of the forthcoming season.

Speaking to the officers, Agriculture Chief Officer Kinns Mwania urged them to take the lead in mobilising farmers to form and join structured groups and cooperatives, describing organised farmer networks as key to unlocking better markets and fairer returns.

He noted that collective marketing would strengthen farmersโ€™ bargaining power, improve their ability to negotiate competitive prices and create stronger linkages with reliable buyers, while reducing exploitation and other challenges along the mango value chain.

The forum also agreed on establishing ward-based committees to enhance coordination, communication and market linkages.

With mangoes in parts of Kibwezi available during the off-season, officers were urged walk the journey with farmers and connect them with reliable buyers and offtakers for better returns.

Governor Mutula on Thursday evening conducted an inspection of the ongoing Kamunyolo Dam improvement works.

Governor Mutula on Thursday evening conducted an inspection of the ongoing Kamunyolo Dam improvement works.The works include the construction of an apron and retaining walls to protect the damโ€™s spillway. Earlier in the afternoon, the governor inspected the status of water projects across the county in anticipation of the onset of the rains.

The county is burning the midnight oil to ensure that the projects are completed and secured before the rains begin. The governor directed the contractor to ensure the project is completed on time and insisted on high-quality workmanship.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects Phase III of the Ndukuma Earth Dam Water Project in Muvau/Kikumini Ward.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects Phase III of the Ndukuma Earth Dam Water Project in Muvau/Kikumini Ward. The project comprises a 30-cubic-metre elevated tank at Kaseve, alongside an extensive water distribution network serving Mandoi, Kilisa Market and Kwa Pius Market. Institutional connections will extend to Mandoi Dispensary, Kilisa Dispensary, Kilisa Primary School, Mandoi Primary School and Mandoi Market.

The project draws water from Ndukuma Dam, with a capacity of 365,000 cubic metres .

A flagship water infrastructure project for the county, Ndukuma Earth Dam remains substantially filled despite the prevailing dry season, with the onset of the rains only days away, underscoring its strategic role in strengthening water security and resilience across the area.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects the ongoing construction of Londokwe Dam in Kitise-Kithuki Ward.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspects the ongoing construction of Londokwe Dam in Kitise-Kithuki Ward. The dam project covers 42 acres and is being implemented in phases, with Phase One covering 12 acres for reservoir excavation, embankment construction and spillway works. The works are expected to be completed within the next 21 days.

The embankment and spillway works are 95 per cent complete, while reservoir excavation is ongoing. Two streams supply water to the dam.

Mutula said that before the rains, the county will have achieved the intended depth and completed the embankment.He said more county equipment will be deployed to hasten the works.

Once operational, the dam will supply water for domestic use and irrigation.

He said Phase Two will involve developing the remaining 30 acres once the expected rains subside.

The completed dam is expected to store more than 240,000 cubic metres of water.

Makueni Marks International Day of Older Persons, Champions Healthy Ageing and Older Personsโ€™ Rights.

Makueni County on Thursday joined the rest of the world in marking the International Day of Older Persons, reaffirming its commitment to promoting healthy ageing, protecting the rights of older persons and strengthening support systems that enhance their dignity and wellbeing.

The celebrations, held at the Police Grounds in Wote, brought together older persons and stakeholders to highlight the importance of coordinated interventions in addressing their health and social welfare needs.

A free medical camp was among the key activities, offering older persons screening services for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, alongside medical advice to support early detection, prevention and appropriate management of health conditions.

The event also featured a Granniesโ€™ Football, a recent addition to the countyโ€™s sporting disciplines to promote healthy ageing.