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NEW HOPE FOR POOR HOUSEHOLDS AS MAKUENI ROLLS OUT ULTRA-POOR GRADUATION PROGRAM

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By 2023, Catherine Kyalo and her husband, Kyalo Kaluma of Muumani in Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, were considered a peasant couple struggling to make ends meet.

In 2024, a national government program, the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP), identified Catherine and other women, enrolling them in business development training and mentorship. Each member later received KES 30,000 to start an income-generating venture. Catherine chose irrigation farming, supported by a nearby spring whose water flows by gravity. She ventured into cabbage farming and made a profit of about KES 45,000.

Fast forward to 2025: Catherine is now one of the most successful irrigation farmers in the area. She is currently growing off-season green maize, which she hopes to sell before December 2025 for over KES 60,000.

The program, commonly referred to as the Ultra-Poor Graduation initiative, equips households in extreme poverty with the foundation they need to build lasting livelihoods. Through a package that includes business training, seed capital/cash transfers, and a strong Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) structure, the program enables participants to grow stable enterprises and achieve self-reliance.

So far, the program has reached 3,000 households in Mbooni and Kibwezi, graduating them from extreme poverty to stable income generation through village enterprises.

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services is now benchmarking on these successes as it prepares to roll out its own Ultra-Poor Graduation scheme.

The county initiative also includes Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), which provides financial support to already graduated groups and individuals to further enhance sustainable income generation and financial inclusion under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s inclusive development agenda.

HOPE FOR PREEMIES AS MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL COMMEMORATION.

Makueni County on Monday hosted the National World Prematurity Day commemorations at the Mother and Child Hospital, drawing national attention to the urgent fight against newborn deaths.

The event was presided over by Tessie Mudavadi, spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and head of the Ushirika Wema Foundation, alongside Makueni First Lady Anita Mutula.

During the ceremony, the Ushirika Wema Foundation donated six neonatal incubators and accompanying accessories to the counties of Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos, each receiving two under the Okoa Malaika Programme, which supports the care of preterm infants.

According to Tessie, the national government has expanded the Linda Jamii health cover in an effort to curb the rising number of premature births, now estimated at 13% of all deliveries in Kenya. The enhanced cover aims to improve access to skilled birth attendance and critical newborn care across the country.

In her address, First Lady Anita Mutula highlighted that Makueni’s neonatal mortality rate currently stands at 21 per 1,000 live births, a figure that underscores the need for stronger maternal and newborn interventions.She noted that the county recorded 1,411 preterm births over the past year, with 250 infants, heartbreakingly, not surviving their first month of life.

To reverse this trend, Makueni has intensified investments in neonatal care. In October, the county partnered with ENI Kenya to establish the region’s first neonatal intensive care unit at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, an initiative designed to give preterm and low-birth-weight infants a stronger chance at survival.

The county has also expanded its Kangaroo Mother Care programme, building on its success in which 512 out of 515 preterm infants survived through skin-to-skin care. Additional spaces have been created, more health workers trained, and community outreach enhanced to support families through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.

In recognition of her advocacy, Tessie Mudavadi named Anita Mutula the Okoa Malaika Champion for the South Eastern region.

The event also drew participation from the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Hiyan, who underscored the broader social implications of prematurity and commended ongoing efforts to uplift vulnerable newborns through the Okoa Malaika initiative.

MAKUENI’S INNOVATION TRIUMPHS AT #HACKAGREENFUTURE HACKATHON

Makueni’s Mkulima Link team emerged as the overall winner of the #HackAGreenFuture Hackathon held at Konza Technopolis, achieving a top score of 73.67% in their county challenge. Makueni also claimed the second position with the AgroLink team, while Machakos’ Recycle Route Group secured third place with over 70%, and Kajiado’s Osiligi team scored 66%.

Out of 550 applicants, 40 innovators were shortlisted to develop innovative solutions addressing key challenges: waste recycling in Machakos, market access in Makueni, and invasive weed control in Kajiado.

The event was attended by CECM ICT, Education and Internship, Japheth Mangoka, CECM in charge of Youth Engagement, Kyoni, Chief Officer Irene Makau, and Director of Youth, Bonface Mutinga, among others.

Konza Technopolis CEO, John Paul Okwiri, said the winning teams will now enter the post-hackathon phase and pledged continued support for the young innovators.

WOTE MUNICIPALITY ROAD UPGRADES POWER URBAN CONNECTIVITY

In a drive to enhance mobility and unlock economic potential, Wote Municipality has embarked on an intensive road opening and grading programme across its urban spaces.

Across the streets of Wote town and the market centres of Kilala, Mukuyuni, Kathonzweni, and Kalamba, new access roads have been opened, while existing ones have been graded to all-weather standards.

The improved road network is already transforming daily life by making movement easier, improving communication between neighborhoods, boosting local trade, and enhancing security as more areas become accessible. Traders, farmers, boda boda operators, and residents can now move goods and services with greater ease, strengthening the municipality’s economic heartbeat.

According to Municipality Manager Everlyn Mutua, road infrastructure remains a central pillar of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr administration in positioning Wote as investor ready.

MAKUENI COUNTY CROWNED FIREFIGHTING CHAMPIONS AGAIN

Makueni County has once again stamped its authority in emergency response after emerging Overall Winners at the 9th Annual Africa Fire Mission (AFM) Kenya Symposium and Competition held in Mombasa County at the Bandari Maritime Academy.

For the 4th consecutive year, Makueni Fire Fighting team scooped award for the best firefighting team and the best est EMT team

The week-long symposium brought together fire and EMS professionals from across Kenya for specialized training in Active Bleeding Control, Leadership Development, Mental Wellness and Community Fire Safety.

The competition tested both knowledge and real life skills, including a full burning-building simulation where teams showed their prowess in firefighting as EMTs handled victims at the scene.

CECM for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, while congratulating the team, praised their resilience and professionalism, reaffirming the County Government’s commitment to efficient and rapid disaster response.

Makueni beat top teams from Mombasa, Nairobi, Bomet, Nyeri, Kiambu and more cementing our place as Kenya’s leading firefighting powerhouse.

SECURING MAKUENI’S FUTURE THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS FOR A RESILIENT ECONOMY

Makueni is staging its third Development Partners Conference 2025, a strategic move aimed at rallying local and external actors around an integrated agenda that links donor support, private investment and knowledge to the county’s evolving development priorities.

Objectives of the conference include:

a) To reflect on the partnership journey in the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan 2023-2027;

b) To strengthen donor coordination and promote integrated programming to ensure resources are pooled, leveraged for the realization of equity, inclusion and social justice;

c) To identify, co-create and catalyze bankable, community-driven projects, leveraging innovative financing mechanisms to bridge existing funding gaps and scale up transformative initiatives.

PRESIDENT RUTO LAUNCHES SH350M WOTE ESP MARKET

Over 750 small-scale traders in Wote town are set for better days following the ground breaking for construction of a Sh350 million Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) market by President William Ruto on Wednesday.

The modern market, designed to replace the congested open-air spaces, will feature smart stalls, proper sanitation, digital payment hubs, and waste disposal systems, providing traders with a clean and organized workspace.

President Ruto, accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Senator Daniel Maanzo, MP Susan Kiamba, and other leaders, also inspected the ongoing construction of the 700-unit Wote Affordable Housing Project.

He further announced additional development projects for Makueni, including Sh9.3 billion for completion of Thwake Dam by April 2026, Sh770 million for a new stadium, 30 new classrooms for expansion of Unoa Comprehensive Primary School, Sh50 million for expansion of the Wote greengrocer market, and Sh500 million for completion of the stalled civil servants housing scheme.

Governor Mutula pledged to fast-track allocation of 20 acres for the new stadium and facilitate all approvals to harness local sporting talent

PRESIDENT RUTO FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF EMALI–UKIA ROAD

The long-neglected Emali–Ukia Road is finally set for a major facelift after President William Ruto today launched its first phase of reconstruction, marking a significant milestone in Makueni County’s infrastructure development.

The initial 20-kilometer stretch from Emali to Matiliku will be upgraded under the project, which aims to transform the rough, corrugated road into a reliable transport corridor that will boost local business and agricultural trade across the region.

In addition to the road works, the Head of State also addressed land ownership concerns by issuing 2,000 title deeds to beneficiaries from Emali Block 3 (Kinyoo) and Kibwezi/Syumile Settlement Scheme, resolving long-standing land disputes in the area.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, who accompanied the President during his Ukambani development tour, welcomed the projects, describing them as a “major economic breakthrough” for the region. He, however, appealed to the national government to speed up the issuance of 6,000 more title deeds and upgrade Makindu Level 5 Hospital into a National Trauma Centre to handle frequent accidents along the busy Mombasa Road.

The Emali–Ukia Road upgrade is expected to enhance connectivity, attract investment, and spur overall economic growth in Makueni once completed.

JUST A FEW METERS FROM NGILUNI DISPENSARY, TSAVO TRUST HAS ONCE AGAIN MADE A REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH IN MAKUENI COUNTY.

The organization has constructed new staff quarters, upgraded the maternity wing, and donated essential medical equipment to enhance service delivery for mothers and infants.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the equipment on behalf of the county government and commended the organization’s continued collaboration, emphasizing that such partnerships play a vital role in promoting accessible and quality healthcare.

Tsavo Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Richard Moller, acknowledged Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s leadership in creating an enabling environment for development partners to thrive and support community-centered initiatives.

The equipment delivered to Nthunguni Dispensary includes an incubator, baby warmers, maternity and delivery beds, and an oxygen machine, all aimed at improving maternal and neonatal care in the area.

MCA’s Francis Mulwa and Brian Nzioka{ Mtoto Andei and Masongaleni)were also present.

NGILUNI DISPENSARY GETS MAJOR BOOST IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH EQUIPMENT

Ngiluni Dispensary in Mtito Andei Ward has received a significant boost following a partnership between the Makueni County Government and Tsavo Trust.

The collaboration delivered essential hospital equipment, including a delivery bed, maternal bed, baby warmers, maternal incubators, a laundry machine, and an electric sterilizing unit, all aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare services.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the equipment on behalf of the county and lauded the partnership, noting that collaboration remains a key pillar in Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration.

Tsavo Trust’s leadership underscored the importance of accelerating healthcare development in remote areas and expressed commitment to strengthening future partnerships with the county.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua urged Mtito Andei residents to continue enrolling in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, emphasizing its role in reducing the cost of healthcare for families.

The event was also attended by Health Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei and Mtito Andei MCA Francis Mulwa.