News

GOVERNOR MUTULA, USAID DRAFT TRANSITION PLAN AFTER FUNDING WITHDRAWAL

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday hosted Jeffrey Lehrer, the Acting Deputy Mission Director of USAID-Kenya and East Africa, to review the status of USAID-funded projects and develop a transition plan. This follows withdrawal of funding for such projects by the United States Government.

The meeting aimed to strategize the handover process, ensuring the county government can complete pending key projects, such as the Kamunyolo water project, which is expected to improve water supply in Wote Town—increasing reticulation time from 45 minutes to 7 hours per day.

Governor Mutula emphasized the need to expedite the transition process and pledged to allocate resources to finalize the stalled projects.

GOVERNOR MUTULA URGES LOCAL COMMUNITIES’ ROLE IN LOGGING DECISIONS

Governor Mutula has called for the active involvement of local communities in decisions regarding logging in Makueni County.

His remarks follow a recent motion by the Makueni County Assembly to immediately freeze all commercial and large‑scale logging activities in public forests within the county.

Speaking in Winzeni, Mbooni Ward, while condoling with the family of Josephine Musyoki, Governor Mutula also announced that the county government has allocated KSh 20 million to equip the newly completed Mbooni Emergency and Family Hospital.

GOVERNOR MUTULA URGES COUNTIES TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH INVESTMENT

Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday called upon counties to invest more on health noting that Makueni County is redirecting resources towards critical surgical equipment and infrastructure.

Speaking in Mombasa where he was guest speaker during the the Surgical Society of Kenya (SSK) Annual Scientific Conference, the governor, at the same time, urged practitioners to actively engage counties in the budgeting process.

The conference brought together over 400 surgeons, development partners, and health stakeholders to strengthen surgical services under Universal Health Coverage, focusing on coordination, financing, referral systems, and quality improvement.

He highlighted Makueni’s adoption of Proximie technology as a milestone in enhancing surgical care through real-time collaboration, training, and improved patient outcomes, supported by partners including the SSK.

SSK President Dr. Michael Mwachiro called on health practitioners to actively engage in policy spaces and provide data to support increased health budget allocations.

In recognition to his contribution in advancing surgical care, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was appointed an SSK Honorary Ambassador.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS WATER PROJECTS FOR IMPROVED ACCESS IN KATHONZWENI WARD

During a working tour of Kathonzweni Ward on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. commissioned several projects to improve access to clean water for domestic use and irrigation. These projects include a solar power system at the Kwa Mbila earth dam, Itumbule and Milute boreholes.

The governor also unveiled a backhoe that will facilitate surface run-off water harvesting through construction of water pans. Residents will benefit from this initiative at a cost of only Shs 2,500 per hour, which covers fuel expenses.

In the Financial Year 2024/25, the Department of Water and Sanitation plans to connect atleast 1,000 households per ward to clean and safe water by implementing the last mile water infrastructure programme.

This initiative will increase the proportion of rural households accessing piped water from 30% to 50% and urban households from 7,939 HHs in 2022 to 10,920 HHs in 2025.

Governor Mutula Unveils the Farmer Profiling Exercise in Makueni

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr together with his Deputy Lucy Mulili on Wednesday officially launched the Agricultural Value Chain profiling exercise, Makueni chapter at ATC- Kwakathoka.

The Agricultural Value Chain profiling is an exercise that is being spearheaded by the National Government in collaboration with the County Governments through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and is seeking to undertake a comprehensive registration of all farmers across the country.

The exercise also seeks to map and register all value chain actors that support farmers such as agro-inputs dealers, aggregators, processors, extension service providers, marketing centers and transporters, among others. This will help the government link farmers to key service providers through digitalized platforms such as e-extension and other e-services.

Makueni has already recruited 504 agri prenures and will embark on the data collection on Friday, and will take 25 days.

Governor Mutula urged the agri preneurs to be keen so as to capture every farmer so that they don’t miss out on important government services.

On her part, Mulili said that the exercise is important for the county government and that the data will be helpful in informed decision making and planning.

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua asked the young people to take advantage of the profiling activity and borrow some of the best agriculture practices which they can implement to better their lives.

The launch was also graced by Devolution and Transport Executives Japheth Mang’oka and Eng. Sebastian Kyoni respectively, Muvau-Kikumini Member of County Assembly Elizabeth Mutinda, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo and NAVCDP County Coordinator Paul Musyimi.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS RAFT OF WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS IN KIBWEZI REGION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has announced a series of water infrastructure projects worth millions of shillings aimed at expanding access to clean water, strengthening climate resilience and supporting livelihoods across Kibwezi East and Kibwezi West sub-counties.

Speaking during Madaraka Day celebrations, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the county is scaling up investments in water distribution, borehole rehabilitation, dam development and sanitation programmes to address persistent water shortages in arid and semi-arid parts of the county.

Among the projects announced is the extension of the Kiboko Twaandu Distribution and Livelihood Project from Mbiuni to Nthia at a cost of KSh10 million. The project is currently at the procurement stage and is expected to improve household water access while supporting economic activities in the area.

In Kikumbulyu South Ward, the county has initiated the procurement process for the KSh10 million Ngandani Water Distribution Project, while a similar KSh10 million investment has been earmarked for the Athi–Tunguni–Kilisa Water Distribution and Livelihood Project in Kikumbulyu North.

The county is also implementing the Kiboko Twaandu Water Project through a matching grant partnership with World Vision. Under the arrangement, World Vision has contributed KSh79 million while the county government has provided KSh7.5 million.

The project will serve Kiboko Town, Mbiuni and Ngaakaa areas through an expanded reticulation network, with further extension to Nthia planned under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLOCCA) programme.

The governor further announced plans to rehabilitate the Katheani Borehole and the Makindu KIBWASCO borehole in Makindu Ward to improve water service delivery.

To address water shortages in Nguumo Ward, the county plans to invest KSh17 million in the construction of a direct rising main under the ALGON–Kiunduani Water Pipeline to supply water to Kiunduani Market.

The county also plans to extend water supply to the Syumile Water Point from Miundani kwa Matuku at a cost of KSh8 million. In addition, construction of the Sekeleni/Ndovoini Borehole Project under FLOCCA is expected to begin within the next 20 days.

Meanwhile, the governor revealed that the county has secured KSh144 million under the Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) Performance for Results Programme, implemented by the State Department for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation in partnership with the World Bank.

The funds will be used to improve household water access, strengthen institutional water supply systems and support sanitation initiatives, including efforts to achieve Open Defecation Free status across the county.

The Kibwezi-Makindu Water and Sewerage Company (KIBWASCO) has separately qualified for KSh47 million under the same programme to enhance service delivery. The funds will support household water distribution from projects including Athi-Tunguni, Mang’elete and Ilengeni.

The county is also proposing the construction of Mwiini Dam in Nguumo Ward and Ilingoni Earth Dam in Kibwezi South as part of broader efforts to enhance water security and climate resilience.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS NEW FRAMEWORK TO LIFT ULTRA-POOR HOUSEHOLDS OUT OF POVERTY

Makueni County has launched a new framework aimed at lifting vulnerable households out of extreme poverty through the Makueni Ultra-Poor Graduation Act, 2026.

Speaking during the launch of the Act, an initiative jointly implemented by the county government and Village Enterprise, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said the programme is designed to make the government more responsive to the needs of the county’s poorest residents, particularly those surviving on less than KSh100 per day.

“This program makes the government humane by directly responding to the needs of the poorest among us,” said the governor.

As part of the rollout, the county has initiated pilot projects in six villages, one in each sub-county, selected based on poverty index scores. Beneficiaries will receive training, grants, and other forms of support to help them establish sustainable livelihoods and achieve economic independence.

Governor Mutula noted that while the six pilot villages mark an important beginning, they represent only a small portion of the county’s 3,663 villages, highlighting the need for gradual expansion of the programme.

Village Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Sazini Mojapelo said the initiative’s success will be measured by its ability to transform lives and enable households to move from poverty to economic self-reliance.

The Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme is expected to play a key role in reducing poverty levels across Makueni by equipping vulnerable households with the skills, resources, and support needed to build resilient and sustainable sources of income.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS MAKUENI’S FIRST COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALS STRATEGIC PLAN

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday launched the county’s first-ever Referral Hospital Strategic Plan (2025–2030), marking a major milestone in the region’s journey toward delivering quality, inclusive, and specialized healthcare.

The ambitious six-year plan is anchored on four key pillars: quality and specialized health services, robust systems and skilled personnel, smart infrastructure and technology, and patient-centered care that leaves no one behind.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Mutula emphasized that the strategy is structured around the balanced scorecard approach, aligning internal processes, financial stewardship, and institutional capacity with the ultimate goal of improving patient satisfaction.

According to him,the Referral hospital has already made strides with the recent investment in minimal access surgery following the commissioning of a laparoscopic tower. The governor added that the hospital has also introduced new specialized services such as hemato-pathology and neurosurgery, with plans to expand these into centres of excellence within the next five years.

Governor Mutula was joined at the event by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Health Services CECM Dr. Paul Musila,his Lands counterpart CECM Japheth Mang’oka, and several Members of the County Assembly including Jackson Mbalu, Elizabeth Muthike, and Felix Mateso. Also present was the CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, Martha Munyao, alongside other senior county officials.

Governor Mutula Unveils Makueni Technical and Vocational College to Enhance Skills Development and Technology Transfer in Agriculture

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr together with County Director for Technical, Vocational Education and Training John Wamae on Tuesday unveiled the Makueni agriculture TVET at ATC Kwa Kathoka, to provide training services and facilities for enhancing agriculture

The first cohort of trainees has already reported and has started learning. They will be trained for a period of 6 months in both school and farm based training.Some of the approved courses are horticulture, Dairy, Poultry, Aquaculture and Apiculture.

Governor Mutula noted that his government has developed the Makueni ATC Bill, 2023, in order to establish the center as Semi-Autonomous Government Agency (SAGA), for efficient running of the institution.

The inauguration ceremony was also graced by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Makueni County Assembly Majority Leader Kyalo Mumo, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, Muvau-Kikumini MCA Elizabeth Kawembe, Bishop Emeritus Joseph M. Kanuku of the Anglican Church of Kenya, Makueni Diocese.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS MAJOR WATER PROJECTS IN KIKUMBULYU NORTH.

During a working tour of Kikumbulyu North Ward on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and his Deputy Lucy Mulili unveiled a series of water development projects aimed at ensuring safe and adequate water supply across Makueni County for domestic, irrigation, and industrial use.

At Kiaoni area, they commissioned rehabilitation of the Makaani-Kiaoni water pipeline, which will serve 4,800 people within Kiaoni clusters. The project includes rehabilitation of Kiaoni water kiosk, elevating the tank tower, and installing a 10m³ water tank on a 1.2-meter-high plinth. The pipeline will be extended by 4.4 kilometers.

In Athi, Governor Mutula commissioned phase 2 of Athi-Tunguni water project, which will benefit over 100,000 people in Kikumbulyu North, Makindu, and Nguumo wards. The scope of the work includes composite filtration, electromechanical systems for the treatment plant, distribution networks for Makindu, Kikumbulyu North, and Nguumo, as well as construction of four water kiosks.

At Kathyaka, Governor Mutula inaugurated Kathyaka Masonry Water Tank, which will provide water to more than 6,000 residents from the Ngulu and Nyayo clusters.