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MAKUENI LEADS NATION IN ROLLOUT OF LIFESAVING MATERNAL NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS

Makueni County has become the first in the country to officially roll out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), marking a major milestone in the fight against maternal anaemia.

This initiative is between Makueni county and Vitamin Angels through the Transforming Lives initiative, through the nutrition consortium.

The launch was held on Friday at Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The supplements, packaged in doses of 180 tablets, are to be taken once daily over a six-month period. Each tablet contains 15 essential nutrients designed to address the high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women and reduce the risk of maternal deaths.

Despite nearly universal access to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among women attending antenatal clinics, many still present with anaemia at the time of delivery. This condition significantly increases the risk of excessive bleeding during childbirth.

According to County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joyce Mutua, investigations revealed that many women found IFAS unpleasant due to its taste, which often caused nausea and reduced adherence.

Unlike IFAS, which contains only two nutrients, the new Multiple Micronutrient Supplement combines 15 essential nutrients in a single tablet. This formulation is expected to improve compliance among expectant mothers while meeting their broader nutritional needs.

During pregnancy, a woman’s daily iron requirement increases significantly. However, many existing supplements provide insufficient iron and lack complementary nutrients that enhance absorption and utilization in the body.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who presided over the launch, praised Vitamin Angels through the Transforming Lives initiative for partnering with the county to integrate MMS into antenatal care services.

She noted that the implementation science-driven initiative positions Makueni at the forefront of advancing maternal nutrition interventions, setting a precedent for other counties to follow.

MUTULA PUTS MAKUENI AT THE CENTER OF AFRICA’S GREEN INDUSTRIAL SHIFT DURING KIICO

At the Kenya International Investment Conference 2026, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. positioned Makueni County as a leader in Africa’s green industrial future, highlighting the county’s energy plan, whose goals are already being realized.

He called for industrialization that is cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive, spotlighting sectors from climate-smart agro-processing to renewable-powered factories.

Mutula emphasized the often-overlooked economic impact of biomass cooking in schools, hospitals, and prisons. The event also saw the launch of the country’s first $589 million Institutional Clean Cooking Sector Pack to scale clean cooking solutions. Makueni partnered with CLASP to accelerate adoption, demonstrating practical, measurable action.

He urged investors, innovators, and development partners to move from resolutions to implementation. He also stressed the need to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies in government, noting that Makueni’s transparent governance serves as a model for effective public-private partnerships.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reinforced Africa’s green potential through solar, sustainable agriculture, energy transitions, and critical minerals, highlighting private-public partnerships as essential to progress.

MAKUENI TO PILOT LIFESAVING MATERNAL NUTRITION PROGRAMME

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday morning hosted officials from Vitamin Angels for a courtesy call at the Governor’s Office ahead of the national launch of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) at Makindu Sub County Hospital.

The delegation was led by the organization’s Vice President, Jimmy Grattan.

The visit comes as Kenya prepares to roll out MMS in line with the World Health Organization’s 2020 antenatal care guidelines, which recommend the introduction of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation.

The supplement comprises 15 essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and folic acid, aimed at improving maternal and child health outcomes.

Makueni County has been selected as the first to pilot the systematic integration of MMS into antenatal care services.

The initiative is guided by implementation science and anchored on locally driven solutions, positioning the county at the forefront of advancing maternal nutrition interventions in the country.

MOVING FROM PLAN TO IMPLEMENTATION

Makueni County inks MOU with Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) to transform public institutions infrastructure with clean energy. The deal demonstrates the power of partnerships in powering economic and social transformation. The signing was witnessed by HE. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the African Green Industrialization Initiative Forum in Nairobi.

76,000 RESIDENTS SERVED AS HUDUMA MASHINANI PHASE I CONCLUDES

On 12th December 2025, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off the Huduma Mashinani outreach programme, an initiative aimed at decentralizing essential government services to the grassroots.

The programme enabled residents to access key services, including ID registration, voter registration, and issuance of birth and death certificates, alongside 23 other government services, reducing the need for long-distance travel and promoting inclusive access.

Over the three-month period, a total of 76,300 residents across all 30 wards in Makueni County were served, demonstrating strong uptake and impact at the community level.

Speaking during the closing event in Mukaa Ward on Thursday, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, commended residents for their turnout and reaffirmed the county’s commitment to improved service delivery.

He announced that Phase II of Huduma Mashinani will be rolled out soon, with a focus on expanding reach and enhancing efficiency.

MUTULANI DISPENSARY UPGRADE SIGNALS NEW ERA IN METERNAL CARE

Residents of Kee Ward, Kaiti Sub-County received a major boost in healthcare access following the commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit, a modern maternity wing at Mutulani Dispensary. The facility was officially opened by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in a ceremony that underscored the county’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The KSh 17 million facility, constructed and fully equipped through a partnership between the M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government, is set to significantly enhance access to quality maternal healthcare services in Kee Ward and the surrounding region.

Speaking during the ceremony Governor Mutula lauded the collaboration, noting that strategic partnerships have become a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda. He highlighted that such initiatives have helped bridge critical funding gaps, particularly after the county experienced a loss of approximately KSh 265 million in allocations following the 2025 Gen Z demonstrations.

The governor expressed deep appreciation for Safaricom and its foundation, describing the relationship as one that goes beyond conventional partnerships. “We consider you as family in Makueni,” he said, emphasizing that the impact of their support cannot be quantified in monetary terms alone.

Significantly , the governor declared that Mutulani Dispensary be upgraded to a Level III facility, with the county government committing to provide all the necessary resources and infrastructure to meet the required standards. This move is expected to further expand service delivery and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for specialized care.

On his part, Paul Kasimu, the project champion and on behalf of Safaricom commended Makueni County for fostering an enabling environment for partnerships, citing transparency and efficiency as key factors that have attracted investment. He revealed that the M-Pesa Foundation has implemented projects across all 47 counties, with Makueni standing out as a preferred destination.

The County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joyce Mutua, noted that Makueni has already achieved the World Health Organization’s recommended distance to health facilities. She added that the county is now shifting focus toward upgrading and expanding facilities to ensure residents access higher-quality healthcare services.

Mutua also encouraged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit marks yet another milestone in Makueni County’s journey toward accessible, high-quality healthcare for all, particularly for mothers and newborns.

MAKUENI COUNTY SLASHES ENERGY COSTS WITH SOLAR PLAN, SAVES MILLIONS

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

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 RALLIES SUPPORT FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED FAMILIES

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.