Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

EMALI TRAUMA CENTER LAUNCHED TO BOOST ROAD SAFETY ALONG MOMBASA HIGHWAY

Makueni has taken a major step in strengthening emergency response along the busy Mombasa Highway following the launch of a new Trauma Center in Emali, established through a partnership between the county government and St. John Ambulance.

The state-of-the-art facility, equipped with two fully fitted ambulances, will cater to accident victims along the 170-kilometer stretch of the highway passing through the county, one of Kenya’s busiest and most accident-prone routes.

During the launch, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili described the facility as a “game changer” for road safety and pledged the county’s commitment to deploy additional emergency response personnel to sustain its operations.

She further urged the national government to intensify efforts to curb drunk driving, citing it as a key contributor to road accidents in the region.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who presided over the event, lauded St. John Ambulance for the lifesaving initiative and revealed that the national government plans to construct a new trauma hospital in Emali to further enhance emergency medical care along the corridor.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua welcomed the development, noting that it will greatly reduce response time and improve survival rates for accident victims.

According to the chancellor of St. John Ambulance Brigade, Dr. Gome Lenga, the Emali Trauma Center is one of only two major trauma facilities along the Mombasa–Malaba corridor, the other being in Naivasha.

He added that the project will also focus on training and equipping members of the bodaboda sector with basic first aid skills to safely handle accident victims.

St. John Ambulance currently operates 14 trauma centers across the country, underscoring its growing role in improving Kenya’s emergency response network.

EMALI COMES OUT IN NUMBERS FOR HUDUMA MASHINANI OUTREACH

A large turnout has been recorded on day five of the Huduma Mashinani Outreach Programme at Emali town, currently ongoing.

Beneficiaries are being served within five to ten minutes across 23 services offered by both the national and Government of Makueni County through Huduma Kenya

Residents have praised the programme for easing access to government services, citing reduced travel costs and shorter waiting times.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni is leading the exercise which is facilitated by the department.

Electrifying Makueni County

In a remarkable display of commitment, the Government of Makueni County in partnership with Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) completed a five day launch of electrification projects that will see transformation of lives across the county. 

Through a matching grant initiative, the program entails installation of power lines, transformers, and meters that is aimed at ensuring reliable supply of electricity to homes, institutions, and business premises.

Leading from the front during the project launch program, the County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy Eng. Sebastian Kyoni emphasized on the importance of the initiative, stating, “Access to electricity is not just about powering homes; it’s about empowering communities. It enhances education, healthcare, entrepreneurial activities and overall quality of life.”

Community leaders and residents expressed their gratitude, recognizing the County Government’s efforts as a game-changer. One resident exclaimed, “This is a new dawn for us, we can work hard to realize our dreams.”

As the one week electrification launch came to an end, the assurance of energy supply left a true picture of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s campaign manifesto on energy, reminding everyone of the transformative power of access to electricity.

The one-week programme was also graced by REREC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Eng. Jonathan Mbuttu, Principal Business Development Officer Diana Khalwale, Regional Manager Representative Eng. Mercy Rotich, Makueni County Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi, area MCAs Hon. Muthiani Mwangangi (Nguumo), Hon. Harrison Mwanzia (Nzambani/Ivingoni), Hon. Francis Mulwa (Mtito Andei), Hon. Dennis Musyoka (Kako/Waia), Hon. Urbanus Manzu (Kee) and Hon. Joseph Muema (Mukaa), respective area National and County Government Administration officers and a representation of MCAs from NZAKIKA, Emali/Mulala, Kasikeu, Ukia and Kithungo/Kitundu wards among other officers. 

The 12 different projects are expected to be complete within less than three months and projected to benefit at least 780 households/business premises and institutions cumulatively.

ECDE TEACHERS TRAINED ON CHILD NURTURING CARE IN MAKUENI

Over 500 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers drawn from Mbooni, Kaiti, and Makueni sub-counties have undergone a two-day training on Child Nurturing Care, held across various locations in Makueni County.

The workshop, supported by UNICEF, focused on key pillars of early childhood development including health, nutrition, safety, and responsive caregiving for children.

The trained teachers are now expected to champion best practices in nurturing care within their communities.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili lauded UNICEF for its continued support, reaffirming the county’s commitment to delivering quality early childhood education.

Education CECM Elizabeth Muli emphasized the critical role of nutrition in early learning and urged the teachers to actively engage parents in promoting proper nutrition among learners.

The event was attended by a host of leaders including Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, Chief Officer for Education Irene Makau, UNICEF representative Rehema Muniu, nominated MCAs Jennifer Kamanthe and Elizabeth Mutindi.

ECDE TEACHERS IN MAKUENI CONVERTED TO PERMANENT &PENSIONABLE EMPLOYEES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has walked the talk on improving the standard of Early Childhood Education in Makueni by confirming 358 teachers to Permanent and Pensionable terms.

The elated teachers were handed their confirmation letters by the Governor in Wote on Monday.

The 358 who were employed between 2014 and 2017 form the first cohort of conversion to permanent terms. A second batch will be confirmed by the start of the 2024/2025 Financial Year

This move comes in the wake of a spirited campaign by several education stakeholders to revert ECD Education to the National Government.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has pledged an unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving education environment where teachers are valued partners in the transformative journey of learners.

In a bid to empower the ECDE teachers professionally, the Governor also flagged off ECDE Learning and Instructional Materials worth Kshs 9.8 Million to be distributed to 1,197 ECDE Learning Centers across the county.

ECDE TEACHERS ABSORBED AS PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE.

453 ECDE teachers on contract were on Monday absorbed by Makueni County as permanent and pensionable at a colourful ceremony presided over by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the county headquarters.

Governor Mutula told the teachers that the appointment was a testament of their hard work as they went about shaping the future of our children. The first cohort of 497 were absorbed by the County in January this year.

The teachers were recruited in 2014 on contract, but could not be absorbed owing to budgetary constraints. Governor Mutula thanked the teachers for perservering since 2014.

The Governor also affirmed his commitment to constructing child-friendly ECDE classrooms in the County.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Chairman County Public Service Board Dr. Nicodemus Muteti, Makueni County Member of National Assembly, Rose Museo, ECMs Elizabeth Muli, ICT, Education and Internships, Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Trade, Japheth Mangoka, Devolution, Nicholas Nzioka, Lands, MCAs Urbanus Manzu, Kee and Deputy Majority Leader Bishop Jonathan Muthoka, Ilima among others.

ECDE KIDS A PRIORITY AS MAKUENI COUNTY UNVEILS FIVE NEW CLASSROOMS IN MTITO ANDEI WARD.

New infrastructure projects in Mtito Andei Ward are set to transform early childhood education and ease the burden on parents, thanks to the efforts of Makueni County leaders. The newly built ECDE classrooms will provide a safe, comfortable, and modern learning environment for young children, ensuring they get the best start in their education journey.

Makueni CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship Elizabeth Muli, alongside MCA Francis Mulwa, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa, Governor’s Adviser Kasamba Kiilu, and Chief Officer for Planning Bonface Mutua, led the commissioning of these key projects.

Key Projects Commissioned & Inspected:

✔ Five New ECDE Classrooms at:

1.Silanga Primary ECDE

2.Mavindini Primary ECDE

3.Kavungwa Primary ECDE

4.Kilumilo Primary ECDE

5.Yindundu Primary ECDE

✔ Inspection of Kwa Kwakawetu Drift – Assessing its role in improving road accessibility and flood control.

Speaking at the event, Elizabeth Muli emphasized the importance of proper nutrition in the first 5 years of a child’s life, linking it to early childhood development. “Investing in ECDE is not just about classrooms; good nutrition is key to a child’s cognitive and physical growth,” she stated.

EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO HELP MAKUENI FARMERS PLAN FOR MARCH-APRIL-MAY RAINS

The Kenya Meteorological Department, in collaboration with the Agricultural Development Support and Extension (ADSE) and the Makueni County Government, has rolled out an early warning system to help farmers prepare for the upcoming March-April-May (MAM) rain season.

According to weather forecasts, Makueni County is expected to receive between 250mm and 500mm of rainfall, with variations across different wards. Farmers are advised to align their planting strategies with localized rainfall patterns to maximize yields.

To ensure a successful harvest, residents are encouraged to:

*Use certified seeds as recommended.

*Practice proper crop spacing for optimal growth.

*Control weeds, pests, and diseases in a timely manner.

Farmers are urged to stay informed and utilize Agro-climate Advisories to enhance food security and resilience in the face of changing weather patterns.

Those who attended included Jacline Kamusa, Assistant Director of Climate Change, County Forester Damaris Mwikali, the Ward Climate Change Planning Committee, among others.

DRIVING MANGO EXCELLENCE: MAKUENI’S EXPORT PUSH

The County Government of Makueni is stepping up efforts to empower mango farmers and strengthen their access to export markets.

On Friday morning, a team of experts from KEPHIS and TradeMark Africa paid a courtesy call to CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, to review ongoing support programs for farmers.

Led by KEPHIS Plant Health Inspector Dorcas Mugambi and TMA’s Programmes Manager on Market Systems Elizabeth Gathogo, the meeting discussed the ongoing countywide programme on identifying and managing pests of concern, and training farmers on export market requirements.

The one-week exercise is being conducted across several wards, bringing training closer to farmers organized in groups.

While speaking to the team, CECM Muli reaffirmed the county’s strong commitment to equipping farmers with continuous training and support, enabling them to produce high-quality mangoes that meet the standards of competitive export markets.

As part of the exercise, KEPHIS officers working alongside county agriculture staff visited selected farms to assess zones mapped as area of low-pest-prevalence for mango production for export market.

During these field visits, farmers benefit from direct pest surveillance, tailored advisory services, and hands-on demonstrations on pest identification and management to improve the health and quality of their orchards.