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Makueni Agricultural Show

Government of Makueni for the first time on 16th and 17th June, 2017 held ground breaking Agricultural and Trade affair at Makindu show ground an event which was opened by HE Pro. Kivutha Kibwana aimed at letting people of Makueni County be in the know and bringing general education to the footsteps of the community.

The Department of Water, Irrigation and & Environment actively participated by engaging their valued stakeholders in Environment and Natural resource Conservation and management rich Makueni county by exhibiting on successes and innovative technologies able to propel their community to achieve sustainable natural resource conservation and management as well as foster co-existence of human and wildlife in their biodiversity.
Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Anglican Development Services Eastern were some of the stakeholders which were invited by Assistant Director, Environment via a letter dated 12thJune, 2017. The Directorate of Environment had the opportunity to show to the community all that they have done through a documentary that was done by the directorate among many things.
The event which took two days of entertainment and education from the Department of W.I & E and Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest service, Kenya Forestry Research Institute and Anglican Development Services Eastern since were some of the stakeholders which were invited by Assistant Director, Environment via a letter dated 12th June, 2017.
Prepared by Claudia Katheu.

MAKUENI, AFA LAUNCH WORKSHOP ON COFFEE REGULATIONS TO ENHANCE SECTOR GROWTH

The County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), held a sensitization workshop on the Coffee Regulations 2019 on Wednesday as part of broader strategy to rejuvenate the coffee sector in Makueni, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of coffee farmers and contribute to the county’s economic growth.

The workshop targeted selected extension officers and members of the Kikima Cooperative Society board. The training aimed to acquaint them with the regulations and emphasized the importance of the new regulations in improving coffee quality and production efficiency.

The partners discussed various aspects of the regulation framework including standards for cultivation, processing, and marketing of coffee. The regulations also cover the rights and responsibilities of farmers, cooperative societies, and other stakeholders in the coffee industry.

The extension officers and cooperative society members will disseminate the knowledge gained to farmers, to ensure widespread compliance and benefit. As the sensitization program rolls out across the. coffee growing areas in Makueni, it is expected to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability.

The workshop, held in Kikima, was graced by Livestock and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and County Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti.

MAKUENI ADVANCES WITH MULTIPLE MICRONUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION AS STUDY REVEALS LOW IFAS ADHERENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

A recent study conducted by Department of Health Services in partnership with Vitamin Angels has revealed low adherence to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among pregnant women despite high coverage during antenatal clinic visits.

The findings show that while 93.1 per cent of women attending prenatal care receive IFAS tablets, only 17 per cent complete the recommended dosage.

Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation remain a critical nutritional intervention aimed at preventing anaemia in pregnancy and reducing birth defects while supporting maternal and fetal health.

However, the study established that many pregnant women in Makueni fail to complete the dosage due to concerns over the alleged smell and unpleasant taste of the tablets among other characteristics.

The study further revealed growing acceptance of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), with 95.4 per cent of pregnant women expressing willingness to use the supplement.

The World Health Organization-recommended MMS contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals ( iron and folic included) specifically formulated to improve maternal nutrition, pregnancy outcomes, and infant health.

Makueni County, which this year became the first in the country to launch the supplementation programme, is now adopting a multi-sectoral approach to ensure successful implementation and adherence.

The county government has brought together several departments, including Agriculture, Health, Education, Gender, Finance, and Socio-Economic Planning, to strengthen nutrition interventions among mothers and adolescent girls.

The Department of Agriculture is supporting food systems and dietary diversity initiatives such as kitchen gardens and food preservation, while the Department of Health is working closely with the education sector to improve antenatal care awareness among school-going adolescents.

According to the findings, adolescents account for 11 per cent of antenatal clinic attendees, with studies indicating that 66 per cent of them record the lowest adherence to Iron and Folic Acid supplementation.

Vitamin Angel’s Africa Technical Director, Dr. Lucy Kanya, who spoke on Friday as she addressed healthcare workers and other stakeholders noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of suitable development goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

She noted that full implementation of MMS programmes across Africa would significantly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals on zero hunger, good health and well-being, and gender equality.

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua believes the transition to MMS could mark a major breakthrough in improving maternal and child health outcomes, especially in vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities.

Makueni, ADS-Kenya Ink a Deal to Enhance Employability for Women and Youth in Agriculture

At least 600 youth and women from Makueni will benefit from Green Business Project (GBP), courtesy of a 1-year deal signed on Wednesday by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and  Anglican Development Services Kenya (Ads Kenya) Programs Manager Charles Macharia.
The purpose of the GBP is to create economic opportunities and enhance employability for Youth and Women of productive age through green skills and capacity development along the target value chains namely horticulture, dairy and poultry.
The youth beneficiaries will be trained at ATC-Kwakathoka for a period of 3 months and placed on attachment thereafter for 3 months at the same center. The women-organized groups will participate in field-based training. This will be preceded by a competitive recruitment process.
After successful training and assessment, successful beneficiaries will partially be supported with start-up capital.
The signing of the partnership was witnessed by Agriculture Executive Mrs Joyce Mutua and ADS-Kenya Programs Officer Sophia Gakii.

MAKUENI ACPA REPORT 2017-2018

This report highlights the findings of the assessment carried out by Prestige Management Solutions on the Annual Capacity Performance Assessment (ACPA) under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP). KDSP is a Programme jointly funded by the National Government and World Bank.

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MAKUENI ACHIEVES MILESTONE IN MATERNAL HEALTH, RECORDS ZERO PPH DEATHS SINCE 2022

Makueni, once among the top ten counties with the highest maternal death rates, has made strides in maternal healthcare. Since 2022, no maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) have been reported in its public hospitals.

This achievement is attributed to innovative healthcare practices and the adoption of Heat-Stable Carbetocin, a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended drug proven to prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

The county has also embraced calibrated drapes, a specialized tool that helps measure blood loss during childbirth.

These clear drapes, placed on delivery beds, enable accurate monitoring, allowing medical personnel to respond swiftly to abnormal bleeding.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off 11,000 calibrated drapes for distribution to health facilities across the county, further bolstering this initiative.

The governor emphasized his commitment to ensuring that women in Makueni deliver safely and return home with healthy babies.

He hosted members of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, who visited the county to learn from its best practices in managing PPH.

The visiting delegation, mainly from Norway and Italy, is dedicated to mobilizing donor governments and strengthening collaborations to improve access to quality healthcare globally.

Makueni is among the first counties in Kenya to adopt a comprehensive approach to combating PPH, combining the use of Heat-Stable Carbetocin with calibrated drapes.

These efforts are part of the “Accelerating Measurable Progress and Leveraging Investments for Postpartum Hemorrhage Impact (AMPLI-PHHI)” program, a partnership between the county and Jhpiego. This initiative aims to drastically reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates associated with PPH.

Makueni Absorbs 44 Sand Authority Staff as County Intensifies Conservation Efforts

Makueni County on Monday issued letters of appointment to 44 employees of the Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority, officially placing them on permanent and pensionable terms. The move marks a significant step in the county’s push to strengthen sand conservation and safeguard critical environmental resources.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, who presided over the ceremony, paid glowing tribute to the staff, praising them for their dedication and exemplary service. He highlighted individuals who have “gone beyond their call of duty” to protect water sources and shield the county’s natural resources from depletion.

Mutula said the transition to permanent terms was not only a reward for their resilience but also an investment in their future. He noted that the decision is expected to boost morale and motivate the team as they continue to play a key role in environmental protection.

The event also featured the unveiling of the Authority’s new Managing Director, Mr. Ndambuki Kioko, who is expected to steer the agency through its next phase of institutional growth and conservation work.

Governor Mutula lauded the Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority as the most improved semi-autonomous government agency in the county, noting its contribution to the growth of Makueni’s own-source revenue in the last financial year.

The newly absorbed staff were urged to uphold professionalism and serve as proud ambassadors of Makueni as they embark on their new roles.

MAKINDU TOWN SPROUTS NEW LIFE IN GREEN CLEAN-UP INITIATIVE

Makindu Town on Friday came alive with renewed energy as the Makueni County Government rolled out a town and market clean-up and greening initiative aimed at promoting cleanliness and environmental conservation.

Led by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer Dr Jossylyn Nzilani, the exercise brought collaboration from local businesses, community groups and development partners.

Participants cleaned streets, collected waste and planted trees to enhance the town’s appearance and create a healthier environment.

Speaking during the activity, the Chief Officer said the initiative seeks to transform Makindu and other towns into clean, green and attractive trading centres under the One Shop, One Tree campaign.

As a major stopover along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, Makindu benefited from the planting of over 700 trees.

The exercise also included public sensitization on proper waste management, reinforcing the county’s commitment to sustainable and vibrant business spaces.

MAKINDU SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST HEALTH FACILITIES IN MAKUENI.

Makindu Sub-County Hospital is one of the busiest health facilities in Makueni, providing life-saving care not only to Makueni residents but also to patients from neighboring counties, including Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and Kitui.

Strategically located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, the hospital frequently handles road traffic accident victims.

Recognizing this challenge, the County Government established a state-of-the-art trauma center at the hospital.

This development enhances the hospital’s capacity to deliver timely and specialized care to patients in critical condition. The Ministry of Health

Makindu Residents Give Nod to Draft Town Plan

Makindu town residents have given a thumps up to a draft town plan prepared by the Department of Lands and Urban Planning and presented to them for validation. 
The Planning exercise was commissioned in April by Lands Executive Committee Member Dr Sonia Nzilani. A draft of the plan was presented for public input on Wednesday at Makindu Social Hall. 
Residents have 60 days from (9th August, 2023) to submit their inputs before the plan is presented to the County Assembly for approval. 
The public participation exercise was led by Dr. Sonia and her Devolution counterpart Japheth Mang’oka. In attendance was the County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, area MCA Steve Kilonzo, business community, plot owners, clergy and residents of the town.