News

GOVERNOR MUTULA PLEDGES MORE FUNDING TO EXPAND HUDUMA MASHINANI PROGRAM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced that his administration will increase annual budgetary allocations to strengthen the Huduma Mashinani Program, an initiative aimed at bringing government services closer to the grassroots.

Speaking on Thursday while hosting Huduma Kenya Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Chilumo to review the implementation of the program in Makueni, Governor Mutula termed the initiative a game changer that has revolutionized the delivery of government services.

So far, 63,000 residents across 23 wards have benefited from the program, accessing 23 different services such as birth and death certificates, SHA registration, groups registration, IEBC voter registration, driving licences, civil marriage registration, and certificates of good conduct, among others.

Mr. Chilumo pledged continued support for the county government, including the establishment of dedicated Huduma Kenya service desks within county government installations, where the requisite facilities will be provided to facilitate service delivery.

County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu reaffirmed Governor Mutula’s call for increased budgetary support, noting that the program has saved residents the cost and inconvenience of traveling long distances to access government services.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES COUNTYWIDE TAX DISCOUNT ROADSHOW TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION

The Department of Finance on Monday launched a countywide tax discount roadshow aimed at encouraging traders to comply with tax obligations and enhance revenue collection across the county.

The initiative includes a tax discount programme running from March 9, 2026, targeting small-scale traders who form the majority of taxpayers in the county.

Under the programme, traders paying less than KSh 10,000 will receive a 10 percent discount, while those paying above KSh 10,000 will benefit from a five percent discount.

Speaking while flagging off the campaign at Wote Bus Park, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi emphasized the critical role of taxes in driving development across the county.

Kavoi also highlighted the benefits of the digitized tax payment systems, noting that residents can now conveniently access services without the need to travel long distances.

The five-day roadshow began on Monday and covered several areas including Wote, Kilala, Mukuyuni, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa and Mbumbuni, as part of efforts to reach traders directly and sensitize them on the tax discount initiative.

MAKUENI WOMEN MARK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH CALL FOR JUSTICE

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Monday led Makueni County in commemorating International Women’s Day during celebrations held at Green Park in Wote.

The event, themed “Rights. Justice. Action for All Women and Girls,” brought together women from across the county alongside schoolgirls to champion a unified call for justice, equity and empowerment.

Discussions during the event highlighted key issues including economic empowerment, access to education and skills development, climate sustainability, leadership and representation, as well as the importance of solidarity and collaboration among women.

Meryline Mbithe, a mother of five from Mbooni, shared her personal experience of surviving Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Addressing the gathering, she encouraged women facing violence not to remain silent or endure abuse, but to seek help from relevant authorities.

Mulili, reiterated the county government’s commitment to protecting survivors and promoting gender equality. She highlighted several legal frameworks in place to safeguard the rights of survivors, including the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence policy, the Gender Policy and the Children’s Policy.

Through partnerships with development partners, she pointed out, the county government’s commitment to invest in the next generation of girls by supporting programs that address adolescent health, nutrition and reproductive health education.

Mulili was accompanied by Gender CECM Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officers’ Nickolis Kaunde (Gender) and Felistus Mutune (Office of the Governor), as well as County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa.

MAKINDU RESIDENTS FLOCK TO HUDUMA MASHINANI AS NEW CIVIL MARRIAGE SERVICE LAUNCHES

Makindu town witnessed a surge of activity on Monday as hundreds of residents turned up to access government services during the ongoing Huduma Mashinani outreach programme.

The initiative by the County Government of Makueni continues to bring essential public services closer to communities, saving residents the time and cost of travelling long distances to service centres.

During the Makindu exercise, 2,209 residents were served, pushing the cumulative number of beneficiaries to over 56,000 people since the programme began. The outreach, now in its 23rd ward, is steadily moving across the county with a target of reaching all 30 wards.

A key highlight of the Makindu outreach was the introduction of civil marriage registration. Two couples registered their marriage as the service began rollout. The service will now be available as the programme continues to the remaining wards.

Speaking during the event, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni said the county government is committed to ensuring services reach the people at the grassroots.

UJUZI TEKETEKE PROGRAMME EQUIPS YOUTHS WITH TOOLS FOR SELF-RELIANCE

17 young people in Kikumbulyu North Ward have received tools of trade to start their own bisiness ventures under the Ujuzi Teketeke Programme,

The initiative spearhead by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services aims at empowering young people with practical skills and opportunities for self-employment.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni noted that the programme will continue to roll out in other wards across the county as part of efforts to empower more youths through skills development and enterprise support.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR MARKS WOMEN’S DAY WITH INMATES AT MAKUENI REMAND PRISON

The Makueni County Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday joined female inmates at Makueni Remand Prison to mark International Women’s Day ahead of the global celebrations on Sunday.

During the visit, she presented gifts including essential commodities to the inmates and commended the institution for nurturing talent and empowering women as they reform.

The deputy governor noted that this year’s theme, “Give To Gain,” calls for deliberate efforts by governments, institutions and individuals to advance gender equality.

She also raised concern over rising suicide cases and urged residents to seek cancelling when facing mental health challenges.

She was accompanied by Makueni County Chief of Staff Mercy Kinyi.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO Jr. FORMS TASKFORCE TO REFORM MAKUENI MANGO VALUE CHAIN

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has established a taskforce to overhaul the mango value chain in Makueni County, in a bid to curb chronic post-harvest losses and improve earnings for farmers.

The team established under an Executive Order number 2 of 2026 has been mandated to design and spearhead reforms aimed at eliminating mango wastage after harvest, stabilizing farm-gate prices and ensuring more predictable incomes for growers across the county.

The taskforce will also propose measures to reduce farmers’ reliance on brokers, a long-standing concern that has weakened producers’ bargaining power and exposed them to volatile prices.

Among its core responsibilities will be preparing the county’s mango sector for export markets by strengthening quality standards, improving coordination among actors in the supply chain and enhancing aggregation and supply systems.

The team is further expected to develop a framework to ensure sustainable operations at the Makueni County Mango Processing Plant, a county-run facility established to promote value addition and reduce fruit wastage during peak harvest seasons.

Governor Kilonzo has directed the taskforce to submit a comprehensive report within three weeks outlining actionable recommendations and an implementation roadmap for transforming the sector.

Makueni County is one of Kenya’s leading mango-producing regions, but farmers have for years struggled with high post-harvest losses, fluctuating prices and heavy dependence on middlemen.

The newly appointed taskforce comprises Mr. Nzioka King’ola, Eng. Josphat Musyoki, Eng. Petronila Ogut, Mr. John Thiong’o, Ms. Caroline Ngina and Ms. Dorcus Mutua.

THE SAFARICOM TEAM PAID A COURTESY CALL ON MAKUENI COUNTY.

The Safaricom team paid a courtesy call on Makueni County as part of efforts to better understand customer needs and network coverage gaps in the region. The team, led by Mark Oyier, Head of Department for Business Support Systems, sought to gain first-hand insights into service delivery and connectivity challenges within the county.

The Makueni County Deputy Governor hosted the delegation and expressed appreciation to Safaricom for its continued support and collaboration in improving the lives of Makueni residents. The Deputy Governor highlighted the company’s partnerships with the county in key sectors including health, water, and trade.

SIX DAIRY COOPERATIVES RECEIVE OVER KSH 7.9 MILLION TO CUSHION FARMERS AGAINST DROUGHT

Six dairy farmers’ cooperative societies in Makueni have received a cumulative KSh. 7,975,000 under the Drought Mitigation Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to strengthen livestock farmers’ resilience during the ongoing dry spell.

The grants, issued on different days throughout the week, are intended at improving farmers’ access to quality livestock feeds and veterinary inputs following the failed October–November–December rains.

Through the intervention, cooperatives will procure and resell essential inputs such as hay bales, mineral licks, dairy and range cubes, cotton hulls and dewormers to sustain milk production and protect farmer incomes.

Speaking during a cheque issuance to Kibwezi Dairy Farmers Cooperative on Wednesday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli said the initiative will help stabilize dairy productivity and ensure livestock remain well nourished as farmers await the next rainy season. She urged the cooperatives to adhere strictly to grant guidelines and ensure prudent use of the funds.

Other beneficiary cooperatives include Kitise Farmers Cooperative, Makiou Farmers Dairy Cooperative, Twakima Farmers Cooperative, Kibwezi East Farmers Cooperative and Kalawa Dairy Farmers Cooperative.

HUDUMA MASHINANI CONTINUES IN MUVAU/KIKUMINI WARD SERVING MORE THAN 1,000 RESIDENTS

More than 1,000 residents benefited as the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Programme continued in Muvau/Kikumini Ward, bringing essential government services closer to the residents at Kwa Kathoka ATC grounds. The initiative by the County Government of Makueni in partnership with Huduma Kenya enabled residents to access key services including ID applications, birth and death certificates, SHA registration, HELB services, police abstracts and other government services at the grassroots. A total of 1,062 residents were served during the outreach.

Speaking during the exercise, Chief Officer for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Nicholis Mutua urged residents to fully utilize such opportunities whenever they are brought closer to the community, noting that the programme is designed to ensure they access government services conveniently without travelling long distances.

Area MCA Kawembe Mutinda who was present during the outreach lauded the initiative, saying it has eased access to vital services.