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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.

HOW UJUZI TEKE TEKE IS EMPOWERING MAKUENI YOUTH

In June 2024, Keli Kithome (24 years) a resident of Ivingoni/Nzambani ward graduated from Wote Technical Training Institute with a certificate in plumbing.

Like many young graduates, Keli initially struggled to find meaningful work, resorting to menial jobs to make ends meet. However, his fortunes changed when he became a beneficiary of Ujuzi Teke Teke, a hands-on skills training and tooling program initiated by the Government of Makueni County.

Through this transformative initiative, Keli received a complete set of plumbing tools, enabling him to establish his own plumbing consultancy business.

Keli’s story mirrors that of other 75 young beneficiaries from across the county who have received tools of trade in various vocational fields. The initiative represents a concrete effort by the Government of Makueni County under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s leadership to address youth unemployment by equipping young people with both skills and the necessary tools to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys.

The tools distribution exercise in Ivingoni/Nzambani and Nguu/Masumba wards was officiated by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, accompanied by Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, the County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services and Nguu MCA Daniel Musau.

HOW DATA IS POWERING MAKUENI’S DEVELOPMENT VISION

Did you know that data can define the development path of a community? And did you also know that Makueni has been quietly steering its decisions using a robust, people-driven data system that begins at the cluster level, a model widely celebrated as participatory budgeting?

Annually, the Department of Finance has deployed teams to clusters across the county to collect data directly from the public and county staff working at the grassroots. These sessions capture real community priorities, challenges, and insights that ultimately shape key development blue prints including the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).

In partnership with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the county compiles and analyzes this data before subjecting it to validation by data producers from county departments and semi-autonomous government agencies. The validated findings are then refined into the County Statistical Abstract, an official publication launched annually as the county’s authoritative data resource.

This data is instrumental in tracking progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), monitoring county performance, and informing the next phase of development planning. It provides a clear picture of what is working, what needs improvement, and where resources should be directed.

According to Acting Director in charge of Socio-Economic Planning, Stanlaus Matheka, the Statistical Abstract also supports the domestication of national data from KNBS.

In 2024, Makueni was recognized as the best-performing devolved unit in implementing the SDGs, a prestigious title the county has held for six consecutive years.

As the conversation around development deepens, next week,we will explore what sustainable Development Goals really mean for communities and why every resident should care about them.

Before then,tell us, how many SDGs do you know and which ones matter to you?

HOSPITALITY PLAYERS IN MAKUENI TRAINED ON STANDARDS AND INDUSTRY TRENDS

The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) on Wednesday held a key training session for members of the Makueni Hospitality Association (MHA) to sensitize them on hospitality standards for accommodation and catering establishments.

The training, which also doubled as MHA’s Annual General Meeting, brought together operators from hotels, resorts, restaurants, cafes, bakeries, caterers, curio and craft traders, travel agencies and transport service providers.

Graced by H.E DG-Makueni Lucy Mulili, participants were also equipped with skills on financial management, smart investment and leadership trends in the hospitality sector. The aim was to improve service delivery, customer satisfaction and professionalism within Makueni’s fast-growing tourism industry.

The event provided a platform for networking, sharing best practices, discovering new business opportunities and building partnerships across the sector. It also opened discussions on how operators can collaborate to elevate Makueni’s position as a tourism destination.

Speaking during the event, Mulili affirmed the county government’s commitment to creating a friendly and enabling business environment. She encouraged local hoteliers to uphold quality and innovation in their services to drive economic growth in the region.

The forum that was attended by CECM Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani attracted key players including banking representatives and other stakeholders.

HOSPITALITY LEADERS TRAINED ON KEY HOSPITALITY SKILLS

Managers and directors from the hospitality sector in Makueni and Machakos counties have on Thursday completed a two-day training program designed to enhance their skills and expertise in the industry.

The training, organized by the Makueni Tourism Directorate in collaboration with the Tourism Fund, covered financial management, human resource development and emerging trends in the workplace.

The training, facilitated by the Tourism Professional Association, brought together 29 participants from both counties who were awarded certificates of participation.

The event was graced by Makueni CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Sonia Nzilani, and was also attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani.

HOPE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN AS MAKUENI FINALIZES PLANS FOR RESCUE CENTRE LAUNCH

Makueni’s Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, has completed the validation of key guidelines for the operationalization of the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre.

The centre, one of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s flagship social protection projects, aims to provide care and support to child victims and survivors of violence and abuse, as well as children living on or off the streets.

County Executive Committee Member Sebastian Kyoni, who presided over the validation exercise in Wote on Thursday, emphasized the county government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of vulnerable children.

The validation of the guidelines—which outline intake procedures, rehabilitation, reintegration, and follow-up processes for children at the rescue centre—paves the way for the gazettement of the facility as an official Child Rescue Centre and its subsequent commissioning.

HOPE FOR THOUSANDS AS MAKUENI UNVEILS SHINE PROJECT FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION AND REHABILITATION CARE

The department of Health Services on Friday hosted the inception meeting for the SHINE Project Kenya, a four-year transformative programme aimed at strengthening rehabilitation healthcare and inclusive social protection systems for persons with disabilities and children with treatable physical conditions.

The project will be implemented through a partnership between the Department of Health Services, CBM Global Disability Inclusion and AIC-CURE Children’s Hospital of Kenya.

It seeks to improve community-based rehabilitation services, enhance access to assistive technology, strengthen Educational Assessment and Resource Centres (EARC), improve disability registration, and build the capacity of rehabilitation staff, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), CHAs and Community Rehabilitation Workers.

Speaking during the meeting, Ag. Director Health Planning and Administration Dr. Chomba emphasized the need to prioritize sustainability from the onset of the project.

He called for improved communication, proper reporting of facility needs and timely supply systems to ensure effective service delivery, while welcoming the project’s strong focus on taking rehabilitation services closer to communities.

HOPE FOR RESTORATION OF NOLTURESH WATER AS PARTNERS MEET TO CHART RESTORATION STRATEGIES

There is renewed hope for the restoration of Nolturesh water supply to consumers, particularly residents of Makueni in areas such as Emali and Kilome along the pipeline corridor.

This follows a multi-stakeholder consultative forum held in Nairobi on Wednesday, chaired by Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Cheruiyot. The meeting resolved to explore swift rehabilitation of the main pipeline to resume water distribution.

Key proposed interventions include:

• Metering all connections along the pipeline to curb wastage, particularly where consumers pay a flat rate of Sh5,000 but engage in flood irrigation.

• Cracking down on cartels operating illegal connections.

• Licensing Nolturesh Water Company as a bulk water service provider to integrate additional water resources into its distribution system.

• Deploying the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit to safeguard the main pipeline and prevent unauthorized access.

The meeting brought together representatives from Nolturesh, Tanathi Water Services Authority, water chief officers from Kajiado, Machakos, and Makueni counties, with Makueni represented by David Makau.

Makau urged for the implementation of a rehabilitation assessment survey proposed by Konza Technopolis, a major water consumer. The survey recommends adopting smart technology to improve efficiency.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for June 19, where the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) will analyze the survey report and discuss its implementation strategy.

HOPE FOR PREEMIES AS MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL COMMEMORATION.

Makueni County on Monday hosted the National World Prematurity Day commemorations at the Mother and Child Hospital, drawing national attention to the urgent fight against newborn deaths.

The event was presided over by Tessie Mudavadi, spouse of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and head of the Ushirika Wema Foundation, alongside Makueni First Lady Anita Mutula.

During the ceremony, the Ushirika Wema Foundation donated six neonatal incubators and accompanying accessories to the counties of Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos, each receiving two under the Okoa Malaika Programme, which supports the care of preterm infants.

According to Tessie, the national government has expanded the Linda Jamii health cover in an effort to curb the rising number of premature births, now estimated at 13% of all deliveries in Kenya. The enhanced cover aims to improve access to skilled birth attendance and critical newborn care across the country.

In her address, First Lady Anita Mutula highlighted that Makueni’s neonatal mortality rate currently stands at 21 per 1,000 live births, a figure that underscores the need for stronger maternal and newborn interventions.She noted that the county recorded 1,411 preterm births over the past year, with 250 infants, heartbreakingly, not surviving their first month of life.

To reverse this trend, Makueni has intensified investments in neonatal care. In October, the county partnered with ENI Kenya to establish the region’s first neonatal intensive care unit at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, an initiative designed to give preterm and low-birth-weight infants a stronger chance at survival.

The county has also expanded its Kangaroo Mother Care programme, building on its success in which 512 out of 515 preterm infants survived through skin-to-skin care. Additional spaces have been created, more health workers trained, and community outreach enhanced to support families through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery.

In recognition of her advocacy, Tessie Mudavadi named Anita Mutula the Okoa Malaika Champion for the South Eastern region.

The event also drew participation from the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Guo Hiyan, who underscored the broader social implications of prematurity and commended ongoing efforts to uplift vulnerable newborns through the Okoa Malaika initiative.

HOPE FOR GENDER VIOLENCE SURVIVORS

Did you know that Makueni County boasts a dedicated Gender Violence Recovery Center within its County Referral Hospital?

Since its launch in 2019, this center has been a sanctuary for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, providing vital psychosocial support for those facing emotional, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.

According to the facility’s Counseling Psychologist Dorah Abok, in June alone, the center handled 11 cases of defilement, one case of sodomy, two rape cases, one incident of physical gender-based violence, and four cases of intimate partner violence.Five of these cases involved incest.

Dorah highlighted some trends, noting that defilement cases spike during school holidays, while incidents of intimate partner violence surge over weekends and public holidays.

The Makueni Gender Violence Recovery Center not only offers comprehensive services but also fosters a healing environment to help survivors reintegrate into safe spaces. In a collaborative effort, the county has partnered with Nairobi Women’s Gender Violence Recovery Center to extend further support to survivors of SGBV.

For assistance, the Makueni GVRC hotline is available for calls, reverse calls, and texts at 0700346405. Reach out and reclaim your safety.