News

KALONGO COLD STORE NEARS LAUNCH AS GOVERNOR MUTULA LEADS FINAL INSPECTION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday led an inspection of the nearly-complete Kalongo Cold Store and Pack House during his development tour in Kilungu Ward.

The facility, now 95% ready for commissioning, features a modern cold store designed to preserve farm produce like fruits and vegetables, reducing post-harvest losses and extending freshness.

Once operational, the Pack House will serve as a key aggregation centre, where farmers can bulk their produce for easier market access, value addition, and better prices.

With similar Cold Stores in Tulimani and Kavuthu, farmers will be able to keep produce fresh, fetch premium prices and thrive in a competitive market both locally and internationally.

Kalawa Ward To Get Universal Water Supply.

Kalawa ward, one of Makueni’s water stressed areas is set to achieve atleast 80 percent water supply by end of the year after completion of Athi-Kalawa Water project.

During a working tour of the ward on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr inspected the project and pledged all his government’s support to ensure the project is completed and water distributed to residents.

The project is a joint partnership between the county government and World Vision to draw water from River Athi, treatment and distribution.

Governor Mutula also launched construction works for Kanini Kaseo micro-irrigation project at Thwake sub-location in the ward. The project which draws water from River Thwake will support 34 households and four schools to do irrigation agriculture geared towards food security in the area.

The department of Water and Sanitation will sink five boreholes while World Vision will rehabilitate three existing ones to serve the people before completion of Athi-Kalawa project.

KALAWA MANGO FARMERS EXPLORE NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Mango farmers on Wednesday held a linkage meeting in Kalawa, organized by the County Government in collaboration with stakeholders across the mango value chain.

The forum brought together farmers, exporters, processors, county officials, TradeMark Africa (TMA) and the agro-chemical industry to explore ways of boosting commercial mango farming.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Officer for Livestock, Japheth Kiminza said partnerships are key to unlocking the sector’s potential and transforming farmers’ incomes.

He further urged farmers to use the platform to connect with exporters and processors, noting that access to reliable markets remains a major challenge.

The meeting that was attended by Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority Managing Director Joseph Kioko provided farmers with a chance to engage on export opportunities, address production hurdles and build stronger, sustainable value chains.

KAKUSWI TO HOST 3,000-SEATER MODERN SPORTS COMPLEX

Sports lovers and athletes from Mbooni Sub-county are looking at better days ahead, with a state-of-the-art sports complex set to be constructed at Kakuswi Playground.

The 3,000-seater facility, to be developed through a partnership between the Government of Makueni County and the Shrimad Rajchandra Love and Care Charitable Trust, will feature a football pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, and a minimum six-lane running track.

On Monday morning, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted a delegation from the Trust, led by Chief Executive Officer Rahul Parekh, for a review of the complex designs and the signing of a memorandum of understanding for its development and maintenance.

As part of the agreement, the Trust will provide KSh 500,000 annually for maintenance for the first three years, and KSh 300,000 thereafter. An existing borehole, which yields 60,000 litres of water per hour, will supply water to the complex and the surrounding community, with the Trust supporting the distribution infrastructure.

Governor Mutula, who was accompanied by Sports CEC Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Sports Director Ambrose Kisoi, termed the partnership a major milestone in sports development in Makueni—one of his key development pillars.

KAITI & KILOME SUB COUNTIES: EMERGENCY EVACUATION CAMPS VISIT.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Friday visited areas affected by heavy rainfall as well as evacuation camps sheltering residents who were displaced due to mudslides and flooding.

Through the Department of Devolution, Emergency Services and Special Programs and well wishers, the Governor distributed relief food, mattresses, blankets, clothing, medical supplies and essential personal effects to the displaced.

The evacuation camps visited were; Katulye Primary School, Kya Kituku Primary School, Kavata Nzou Primary School (Kaiti SubCounty) and Kawese Primary in Kilome Sub County.

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.

JOY LIGHTS UP MAKUENI COUNTY AS SH80 MILLION MATCHING FUND ELECTRIFICATION PROJECTS KICKS OFF

Makueni residents have expressed joy and hope as Government of Makueni County in partnership with REREC rolls out rural electrification projects worth Sh80 million across 12 wards in all six sub-counties. The projects, will connect 617 households and public institutions to electricity.

During a launch gathering in Makindu, residents said electricity access will transform their lives by powering homes, schools, and small businesses. Similar excitement was witnessed in Nyunzu, Muvau/Kikumini Ward, where a project worth Sh9.3 million was unveiled.

County Executive for Infrastructure, Roads, and Energy Eng. Peter Mumo said the initiative fulfills Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s pledge to expand energy access and drive local development.

Launches have so far been conducted in Masongaleni and Kukumbulyu South.

Other wards lined up for launch include Kithungo/Kitundu, Kasikeu, Kako/Waia, Kalawa,Ukia,

Kee, and Tulimani wards.

Through the electrification drive, Makueni aims to stimulate business and improve social-economic growth.

Joy as governor launches NCPB satellite depots.

H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Friday launched Mukuyuni and Kikima NCPB satellite depots for the last mile delivery of subsidized fertilizer bringing the commodity closer to farmers.

Initially farmers used to get subsidized fertilizers from the three NCPB main depots located at Wote, Emali and Kibwezi Town.

“We will ensure that these depots are opened as early as 7a.m so that farmers can be supplied with fertilizer”, the governor said in Kikima.

128,410 out of 193, 384 farmers registered for the fertilizer subsidy Programme in the County will benefit and make the county food secure.

The Governor was accompanied by NCPB Managing Director Mr. Joseph Kimote , Kaburu Kaimba (county commissioner), CECMs: Japheth Mang’oka (Devolution), Joyce Mutua (Agriculture).

JOY AS 964 RESIDENTS ACCESS HUDUMA MASHINANI SERVICES IN NUNGUNI

Hundreds of residents in Nunguni, Kilungu Ward, on Tuesday turned out for the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Program, an initiative that takes all government services offered through Huduma Centre to the grassroots.

The initiative, a partnership between Huduma Kenya– Wote, and Government of Makueni County under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, enhances access to government services at the grassroots, heaving off the costs of travelling to public offices from residents.

The exercise was led by Wote Huduma Centre Manager Bernard Nicholas, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Kilungu Deputy County Commisioner Anthony Maina.