Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. commissions the Mutulani Family Care Unit, a new maternity wing in Mutulani Dispensary in Kaiti Sub-County .The facility was built and equipped by the M-Pesa Foundation in partnership with the Government of Makueni county. He is flagged by Paul Kasimu, the project champion.
Makueni County has cut millions in electricity costs and boosted service delivery after rolling out an ambitious energy plan anchored on solar power, officials said.
The county government revealed that its 2022 County Energy Plan is already yielding major financial and operational gains, with savings redirected to critical sectors such as healthcare.
Speaking during an interview with UK PACT, a key implementation partner, County Executive Committee Member for Energy Eng. Peter Mumo said the devolved unit has developed both a County Energy Plan and an Energy Policy to steer sustainable energy use.
Flagship among the projects is the solarization of Makueni County Referral Hospital, where a 205-kilowatt system installed at a cost of KSh 30 million is now saving the county about KSh 7 million annually.
Mumo said the savings are being redirected to purchase medical equipment and essential supplies, while the facility now enjoys uninterrupted power, significantly improving healthcare services.
The solar push has also extended to other public institutions, including the County Assembly, where solarized car sheds have reduced electricity costs to zero. Additional beneficiaries include Makueni and Kathonzweni dairies, as well as the Kaiti II Water Project.
The initiative, implemented in partnership with World Resource Institute and Strathmore University, has drawn national attention, with the county presenting its model at the Council of Governors.
Looking ahead, the county plans to scale up solar installations across all public institutions, targeting hospitals, schools, water projects and cold storage facilities as part of its long-term sustainability agenda.
Mumo was accompanied by Chief Officer for Energy Eng. Naomi Nthambi and Acting Director of Energy Eng. Kamami Musyoka.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday graced a land succession clinic in Nthongoni, Ivingoni Sub-Ward, Kibwezi East, as part of renewed efforts to resolve historical land injustices in Makueni County.Residents raised long-standing ownership disputes, particularly over the Mang’elete Settlement Scheme.
Mutula assured residents that his administration is committed to resolving the disputes and announced plans for a Huduma Mashinani outreach to help locals acquire key documents, including national IDs and death certificates, critical to securing land ownership.
Makueni County Government has stepped up efforts to support residents adversely affected by the ongoing heavy rains.
On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili visited Mutiswa and Mutyambua villages in Mbitini Ward to assess the extent of the damage caused by the floods.
Area Chief Joshua Nthenge reported that out of the 10 villages in the area, seven have been severely affected.
Shambas in the area have been washed away, houses inundated with sand, and several pit latrines, including those at Barazani Market have collapsed, raising concerns over possible water contamination after nearby rivers burst their banks.
The chief explained that the villages, which are surrounded by hills, are intersected by several rivers that overflow during heavy rains, leaving residents vulnerable to recurrent flooding.
Mulili assured residents of the county’s support, stating that public health teams will be deployed to the affected areas to distribute water treatment solutions and help prevent disease outbreaks.
She further revealed that, through the efforts of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who engaged the Kenya Red Cross, affected families will receive mosquito nets and 10,000KSh for 100 affected families totalling to1 million to help cushion them against the impact of the floods.
Mulili added that, in collaboration with the national government, the county will also provide food assistance to the affected households as soon as possible.
Kenya Red Cross Regional Manager George Ndolo urged residents to drink boiled water to minimize the risk of waterborne diseases.
Mulili was accompanied by Mbitini MCA Bernard Mutua, Devolution Chief Officer Joseph Ndolo, and other county officials.
Residents of Nzambani Sub-Ward in Makueni County on Wednesday had a rare opportunity to directly engage with government officials on longstanding land ownership challenges during a land succession clinic graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.
The clinic, organized by the Office of the County Attorney, aimed at addressing persistent land succession disputes that have affected many families in the region for generations. The initiative also seeks to help residents formalize land ownership by acquiring title deeds—an essential step toward unlocking the economic value of land.
Governor Mutula Jr. attended the session in Nzambani Sub Ward to gain firsthand insight into the challenges residents face. Speaking during the event, he acknowledged that land succession remains a major concern within the Kamba community, often leading to conflicts and underutilization of property.
He emphasized that obtaining title deeds is key to transforming land into a productive asset.
The governor noted that titled land not only increases in value but also enables owners to access financial services such as bank loans.
The clinic provided a platform for residents to raise pressing concerns and seek guidance on land ownership, inheritance processes, and dispute resolution. Many attendees welcomed the initiative, noting that direct engagement with officials offered clarity on complex legal procedures surrounding land succession.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday led an inspection of tools procured by the county government in Wote, marking a significant milestone in the County Government’s efforts to empower youth through technical and vocational training. He was accompanied by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT, Education and Internship, Japheth Mang’oka, among other officials.
The consignment of modern training equipment, procured by the Department of ICT, Education and Internship through capitation, is aimed at enhancing the quality of learning in Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) across the county. The equipment will benefit 47 centres, strengthening skills development and improving youth employability.
The tools have been distributed across key Courses, including masonry, carpentry, hairdressing and beauty therapy, garment making and fashion design, ICT, among others, to ensure a comprehensive and industry-relevant training approach.
A wide range of equipment has been procured including sewing and embroidery machines, welding machines, electric grinders, interlocking brick machines, mechanics toolkits, as well as ICT equipment such as computers, laptops, projectors and printers. Beauty and garment-making departments have also been equipped with essential training materials and tools.
This initiative is expected to increase the enrolment of trainees in Vocational Training Centres, enhance the quality of training, and create sustainable pathways for youth to transition into employment, entrepreneurship and improved livelihoods.
Dr. Annah Kyoya has been sworn in as chairperson of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) following her successful vetting and approval by the Makueni County Assembly.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. witnessed the swearing-in ceremony, administered by the County Attorney, and urged Dr Kyoya to discharge her duties diligently.
The governor said the county’s priority is to boost economic empowerment while increasing household incomes among Makueni residents. He revealed that the county has already secured Sh160 million for the fund, with additional resources expected through partnerships aimed at strengthening its impact.
MCEF remains a key economic pillar in the county, structured as a revolving fund that provides sustainably affordable, interest-free credit to residents, particularly those running micro and small enterprises.
Dr Kyoya, who will chair the MCEF Committee, is expected to supervise the fund’s operations and spearhead efforts to grow its capital base through stakeholder engagement.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, Dr Kyoya thanked the county government for entrusting her with the role, terming it a noble mandate.
The swearing-in ceremony was also attended by County Executive Committee Members: Japheth Mang’oka, Joyce Mutua, and Eng. Sebastian Kyoni.
Established in 2015 under the Public Finance Management Act, the fund has undergone several reviews of its guidelines and regulations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
MCEF is currently anchored under the Makueni County Social Protection Act, 2025, and the MCEF Regulations, 2025. It is wholly owned by the County Government of Makueni and domiciled within the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services.
The fund’s mandate includes providing access to capital and financing facilities to micro and small enterprises owned by marginalized groups—youth, women, men, and persons with disabilities—facilitating investment in small businesses, and advancing loans to village savings and loan associations across the county.
Makueni County has stepped up its fight against HIV and TB after CIHEB Kenya handed over a program vehicle to the Department of Health Services. The vehicle will strengthen outreach and boost service delivery as health programs shift to county-led, financed, and fully owned systems.
Chief Officer for Health, human resources management and administration Dr. Harvey Mulei Mbithi, received the vehicle under the Uzinduzi Project.
The handover comes at a critical moment as Kenya adjusts to changes in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding, safeguarding continued access to quality HIV care for communities.
The CIHEB team was led by Dr. Peter Kyalo, the program director PACT Imara project.
Saccos remain vital engines of farmer prosperity, enabling savings, affordable credit access and collective investment that strengthens livelihoods and local economies.
It is in this premise that the Cooperative Development Directorate, through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has rolled out a targeted monitoring program to strengthen cooperative performance across the county.
The monitoring program, which kicked off on Monday at Mavindini Ward Sacco and Muvau/Kikumini Farmers Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, brought together Sacco leadership and officers in open, constructive discussions to assess governance structures, financial operations, savings trends, interest rates, and the level of member participation, with a focus on strengthening overall performance and accountability.
The initiative targeting eleven Saccos drawn from across the county seeks to sharpen efficiency, grow membership, and build stronger financial foundations set to benefit and reinforce their role as drivers of inclusive agricultural investment and rural transformation.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Tuesday held a consultative meeting with representatives from the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Lower Eastern region. The meeting focused on reviewing the status of projects being implemented by the authority, identifying areas of collaboration to complement irrigation development schemes in Makueni, mapping priority areas to ensure project sustainability, projects co-creation and scaling up support outcomes.The Governor raised concerns over stalled and delayed irrigation projects by NIA, noting that the performance of irrigation systems has a direct impact on water availability and food security.
The NIA delegation was led by Rispah Okumbe, the Regional Coordinator for the Lower Eastern region, and accompanied by members of the Kikome Irrigation Scheme.
