News

MAKUENI BEGINS 16 DAYS DRIVE TO STOP ONLINE GENDER VIOLENCE

Makueni County’s human rights champions have kicked off an intensified campaign against gender-based violence under the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

This year’s theme, “ *End Online Gender-Based Violence: A Safe Makueni for All* ”, highlights the rising cases of digital abuse, including cyberbullying, online harassment and exploitation.

The launch brought together County and National Government officials, civil society, youth groups, faith leaders and development partners, all committing to work collectively to make digital spaces safer, especially for women, children and young people.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Sebastian Kyoni, who flagged off the campaign in Wote on Friday, said the County is strengthening survivor support services, enhancing reporting pathways and expanding community awareness through the Gender Sector Working Group.

Over the next 16 days, the team will lead countywide engagements, including community dialogues, school and youth sessions, digital safety training and awareness activities in a bid to build a community where everyone lives free from harm and with full dignity.

MAKUENI BATTLES TB AS OVER 40% TO 50% OF CASES GO UNDIAGNOSED

Makueni County recorded 2,200 new tuberculosis (TB) cases in 2024, with more than half going undiagnosed, raising concerns over the silent spread of the disease.

Health Services CECM, Dr. Paul Musila, revealed these figures at Matiliku Market on Monday while delivering his speech during World TB Day.

He expressed alarm over childhood TB, noting that 161 children were diagnosed in 2024,just 60% of the expected cases,leaving 40% undetected.

Dr. Musila reaffirmed the county government’s commitment, in partnership with stakeholders, to intensify TB control efforts.

Measures include increasing public awareness, enhancing early diagnosis and treatment, conducting outreach screenings, and integrating TB education into school health programs.

Echoing his sentiments, Chief Officer for Health Administration and Human Resource, Dr. Harvey Mulei, emphasized that TB treatment and medication are available free of charge at all county health facilities.

He urged locals to take advantage of these services by seeking TB screening at the nearest health center.

Makueni Basketball men through to KYISA Finals

Makueni basketball men are a game away from being crowned Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association games 6th edition champions.

The boys crashed their Turkana counterparts 58-42 in a breath taking semi final at the Busia stadium to advance to the final, where they will meet hosts Busia at 4pm Today.

Through to the top, Makueni edged out Siaya 68-30 and Nakuru 44-37.

Much as Busia enjoys home advantage and loud cheers, coach Frederick Makundi is confident Makueni will have the last laugh going by their vitality and prowess in the pitch.

Makueni Basketball men finish second at KYISA

Makueni basketball men soared high as they finished second in the 6th edition of Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association games held in Busia between 14th and 21st December.

The under 23 boys put up an onerous fight against hosts Busia, under a sea of cheering fans, but fell 51-46 finishing second overall.

Makueni had earlier crashed Turkana 58-42 in a breath taking semi final at the Busia stadium to advance to the final.

Enroute to the finals, Makueni edged out Siaya 68-30 and Nakuru 44-37.

County Executive for Education, Sports and ICT Joshua Wambua is convinced Makueni has what it takes to become a sporting giant. He says the county will continue to invest in talent development With a view to promoting sports as a career for thousands of young people.

MAKUENI ATC, KWAKATHOKA MARKS ST GRADUATION

Seventy-two graduands were on Thursday awarded certificates during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre (MATC) at Kwakathoka, marking a significant milestone in strengthening agricultural skills in the county.

The ceremony, led by Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili, saw the trainees graduate in Dairy Farm Management, Poultry Kienyeji Production, and Horticulture Production.

The training combines school-based learning with field-based practical sessions and is examined and certified under the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (TVET CDACC), with support from development partners.

Mulili encouraged the graduands to put the knowledge and skills acquired into practice to unlock opportunities for economic empowerment.

The event was attended by Agriculture Ag. CECM Damaris Kavoi, Chief Officers Felistus Mutune and Japheth Kiminza, County Agriculture Sectoral Committee members and partners.

The ceremony also recognized 21 farmer groups comprising 507 farmers who completed field-based training in agricultural production, further strengthening Makueni’s vision of becoming a hub of skilled and knowledgeable farmers.

MAKUENI ASSEMBLY SENSITIZED ON NATIONAL VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR SEAMLESS IMPLEMENTATION.

Makueni Assembly Sensitized on National Value Chain Development Project for Seamless Implementation

Machakos: May 16, 2024

Makueni Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua on Thursday officially inaugurated a 3-day workshop that convened all members of the Makueni County Assembly .

The workshop seeks to introduce the assembly members to the new agriculture project, the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

Mutua emphasized the crucial role of the County Assembly as a major stakeholder in ensuring the successful implementation of the project, especially considering its implementation at the ward levels.

NAVCDP, a five-year initiative, aims to boost market participation and value addition within the mango, dairy, poultry, tomato, and apiculture value chains across all 30 wards in the county.

Representing the County Speaker Mbilu Douglas , Hon. Jonathan Muthoka, the Member of County Assembly for Ilima Ward, expressed steadfast commitment and support to guarantee the project’s benefits reach all farmers in Makueni.

The workshop is being spearheaded by the Department’s leadership in collaboration with the County Project Coordination Unit.

Notable attendee include representative from the Presidential Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS), Food Security Advisor Dr. Menjo.

Makueni ASK show lauded for its innovativeness

Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau together with her Machakos counterpart Eng. Francis Maliti on Friday officially opened the 2019 Makueni Agricultural Satellite Show at Makindu saying it is a good platform to promote agriculture for local farmers.

The two toured several exhibition stands where Makueni farmers showcased agricultural products, variety breeds of livestock and technological innovations. This year, the show received 85 exhibitors compared to 46 of last year.

“In 2016, the county government of Makueni endorsed the idea of starting our own show which was triggered by the realization that when agriculture performs well, economy grows automatically. Again, we are aware that we don’t have adequate extension officers, hence a show of GIANT classroom for farmers,” Mwau noted.

The DG further noted that since 2014, the government had utilised Sh 60 million in livestock value chain to upgrade livestock value as well as implementing disease control programme.

Mwau also announced that the county government has set aside Sh 7 million to set up an irrigation scheme in order to boost agricultural potential in Makueni.

DG Maliti while appreciating the county for the bold step to initiate an own local show, urged farmers to prioritise growing of drought resistant crops as one way of mitigating the effects of climate change.

He said: “We have recently noticed that the effects of climate change are real. As farmers, you should prioritise growing of traditional food crops such as sorghum, millet, cassava and green grams.”

The show which will close on Saturday was also graced by senior county officials from Makueni and Machakos as well as representatives from the Agricultural Society of Kenya.

MAKUENI, ANGLICAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND MICRO ENTERPRISES SUPPORT PROGRAMME TRUST EASTERN INVEST SHS.11 MILLION TO SPONSOR 480 TRAINEES ON AGRICULTURAL SKILLS.

The county Government of Makueni, Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADSE) and Micro Enterprises Support Programme Trust(MESPT) have invested Shs.11 Million to fully sponsor 480 trainees, including youth and women farmers, for agricultural skills training at the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre in Kwakathoka.

This was disclosed by the Agriculture and Irrigation Executive Joyce Mutua on Friday evening during the closing assembly ceremony that marked their transition to industrial attachment opportunities.

According to Mutua, the funds covered tuition fees, accommodation, meals, and exam fees for the 3-month coursework.

“The course cost approximately Shs.11 Million with a 25% contribution from the county government while ADSE contributed 60%. MESPT contributed15%,” said Mutua.

This first cohort of trainees comprises 60 youth and 420 women farmers who underwent comprehensive training on horticulture courses as well as dairy and poultry farming over a duration of three months before proceeding for an additional farm-based practical program lasting another three months in various established agribusiness ventures within and outside Makueni County.

Further, Mutua observed that the women farmers also received extensive training through farmer field schools and will continue until May when both groups will graduate after completing their respective training.

Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo who also graced the ceremony added that upon completion, some of the trainees will receive start-up capital for their agri-business investments.

However, Mutua stressed that subsequent cohorts will share training costs with both partners to ensure program sustainability going forward.

MAKUENI AND WFP LAUNCH MARKET ACCESS STRATEGY TO SUPPORT FARMERS

Makueni County Government in partnership with the UN World Food Program (WFP), has launched a market access strategy aimed at helping smallholder farmers connect with public markets.

The Makueni Smallholder Farmers Access to Public Institutions Markets Strategy, which will be implemented from 2024 to 2028, was officially launched on Friday by WFP Country Director Lauren Landis and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The strategy will allow smallholder farmers to access 30% of the AGPO reserve designated for local products to Public Institutions as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

Landis praised the county government for its commitment to supporting farmers with essential resources like seeds and fertilizers, emphasizing that increased food production in Makueni could significantly enhance both the local economy and nutritional outcomes.

The launch event that drew over 200 farmers from organized producer groups across Makueni saw Governor Kilonzo express strong support for the collaboration, stating that it would boost farmers’ confidence by ensuring markets for their produce. He also encouraged them to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming rainy season, crucial for the county’s agricultural success.

The event featured remarks from Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza, Daniel Ndolo and Dr. Jossylyn Mutua (Livestock, Devolution and Trade respectively), who contributed to discussions on the future of farming in Makueni.

MAKUENI AND TMA PROGRESS A NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURE

The Government of Makueni County, through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development (DAFLCD), together with Trademark Africa (TMA), held a meeting to advance the Kilimo Makueni Management Information System (MIS).

The platform is a new digital tool created to make agricultural services easier, faster, and more organized for farmers and officers.

The Kilimo Makueni MIS https://kilimo.makueni.go.ke brings farmer registration, extension services, agricultural programs, farm mapping and management dashboards into one simple and accessible system.

Its main aim is to improve how farmers get information, strengthen field work, and help the county make better decisions using accurate data.

Accompanied by Education and ICT CECM Japheth Mang’oka, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli explained that the platform will give farmers quick access to advice, updates, and county programs.

The CECM noted that extension officers will work more efficiently with digital reporting tools, while partners will use reliable, up-to-date data to strengthen coordination and align their support with county priorities.

With this improved information flow from the field to the Department, the county will also be able to rely on real-time insights to plan better, allocate resources wisely and monitor progress across the agricultural sector.

The meeting was attended by Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyallo, Japheth Kiminza, and TMA’s Rachael Wangeci.