News

GOVERNOR MUTULA, CS WATER HOLD TALKS ON WATER DEVELOPMENT IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday held a round table discussion with Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muuga at Maji House on collaborations to improve provision of clean water in Makueni.

Key areas of discussion centered on getting a permanent solution for Nolturesh water supply; collaborations for enhanced last mile water connectivity; enhancing the efficiency and capacity of Bulk Water Sevice Providers to reduce wastage through non revenue water.

The CS pledged to fastrack the completion of key national government water projects such as Yikitaa Irrigation Scheme in Masongaleni, Mukuyu in Kilome, Kiia Nzou in Kaiti, Kwa Kivai Irrigation Scheme, Kithuki Irrigation Scheme and Mbavani scheme among others.

Governor Mutula also made an appeal to the CS for equiping of the Makueni Dam Construction Unit through machinery from Thwake dam project after completion of phase one of the project.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF MUATINENI DROWNING ACCIDENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Monday condoled with families who lost their loved ones through drowning while attempting to cross Muatineni River aboard a truck.

At Sultan Hamud Sub-county Hospital where he met the bereaved families, Governor Mutula said the accident was a tragedy that could have been avoided if the bridge was constructed to standard, and if people were patient to allow the water level to subside.

As of Monday, 9 am, 14 people had been rescued, 10 bodies recovered while four people were still missing. Search for the missing persons is still ongoing downstream led by a multi-agency team of emergency officers.

The County government has waived postmortem fees for the dead and will also support the families purchase coffins so as to lessen the financial burden associated with burial.

Governor Mutula said the county government will train more local volunteers on safety and rescue so as to avert any further loss of life in such eventualities.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CONDOLES FAMILY OF DROWNING VICTIM IN THANGE

Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday evening condoled with the family of 27-year-old Felix Kimweli Muinde, who drowned at Kimanga Stream in Thange Ward, Kibwezi East.

The governor visited the bereaved family at Muthungue Village, describing the incident as a painful loss to the community. Muinde will be buried on Friday, March 6.

During the visit, Mutula urged young people to unite, support their parents and take advantage of the county’s 30 per cent procurement budget reserved for youth, women and persons with disabilities.

He challenged them to be industrious and creative in order to generate their own employment opportunities.

The governor was accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Finance Damaris Kavoi and Thange MCA Erick Katumo.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMITS HIS COUNTY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday committed his County Executive Committee Members to enhanced accountability and efficient service delivery after presiding over the signing of performance contracts at the Governor’s Office.

The performance contracts set clear targets and measurable outcomes for each department, strengthening the county government’s commitment to transparency, prudent use of public resources and timely implementation of development programmes.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Governor Mutula said the contracts will strengthen performance management across the county, ensuring every executive member remains focused on delivering quality services and improving the lives of Makueni residents.

He emphasized that effective implementation of county programmes will accelerate development, enhance public confidence in government and ensure wananchi receive value from every public investment.

In the same event, Governor Mutula issued promotion letters, conversion-to-permanent-and-pensionable appointment letters, and letters of appointment to 123 members of staff as part of the county government’s efforts to strengthen service delivery.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS YUMBUNI BOREHOLE WATER PROJECT IN NGUU/MASUMBA WARD

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) Country Director Christian Schniepper, on Thursday commissioned the Yumbuni Borehole Water Project in Nguu/Masumba Ward.

The project, implemented through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni, the local community, and WHH, brings immense relief to residents who have long struggled to access clean and reliable water.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration has forged strategic collaborations with WHH and other partners to drive universal water coverage and the Last Mile Water Connectivity.

Under these collaborations, WHH has so far completed 14 water projects since August 2022, with two more scheduled for implementation before July 2026.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, MCA Daniel Musau, Water CEC Eng. John Kieti, Devolution CEC Nicholas Nzioka, and Assembly Minority Leader Jades Kalunda were among the leaders present at the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS KSH15 MILLION MUKUYUNI-KITHUNGO ROAD UPGRADE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has launched the upgrading of the 15-kilometre Mukuyuni–Kithungo Road, a key link between Kaiti and Mbooni sub-counties aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic activity in Ukia and Kithungo/Kitundu wards.

The KSh15 million project is being implemented through a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and the National Youth Service (NYS), with additional civil works by Megastride Limited.

NYS will undertake road opening, bush clearing and heavy grading while Megastride will carry out gravelling, culvert installation, drainage improvements, masonry drifts, gabion protection works and water-harvesting interventions.

The works are expected to improve year-round access, reduce flood damage and lower transport costs for residents, traders and motorists.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Mutula said the project is part of the county’s broader effort to expand rural infrastructure and improve access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities.

The road upgrade is scheduled for completion in October 2026.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS KAVUTHU COLD STORE, UNVEILS PLAN FOR WARD COOPERATIVES

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has commissioned the Kavuthu Cold Store and Pack House in Mbitini Ward, a 10-metric-tonne facility aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and improving produce handling for local and export markets.

The project is expected to boost farmers’ incomes and support economic growth through increased agricultural trade.

During the event, the governor announced plans by the county government to champion the establishment of cooperative societies in every ward to address farmers’ challenges and strengthen agricultural productivity.

The governor, who is on a day-long development tour, was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Speaker Douglas Mbilu, CECMs, and MCAs.

He also met residents to discuss challenges affecting the community and possible solutions.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS BOREHOLE IN WOTE

August 20, 2024

The Kenya Red Cross Society is set to launch a new partnership with the County Government of Makueni for a comprehensive project designed to improve the living standards of local residents. The initiative will address critical areas including health, water, sanitation (WASH) and food security.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society during a briefing with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. when he paid a courtesy call on him at his Wote office on Tuesday.

Dr. Idris observed that, despite a long-standing collaboration with the Makueni County Government, there are still critical gaps that need addressing. He noted that it has been long since the Red Cross undertook a major project in Makueni and expressed a strong commitment to reverse the trend.

Dr. Idris also pointed out concerns about the inadequate trauma care in local hospitals and offered to assist the County Government in building the capacity of medical personnel to better manage trauma cases.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed this proposal, emphasizing its timeliness, particularly in light of the frequent road accidents on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway that have significantly impacted Makueni.

Later on, Governor Kilonzo, alongside Dr. Idris, commissioned a borehole rehabilitated by the County Government at the Red Cross offices in Wote. The borehole, which has a capacity of 3,000 litres per hour, will provide a reliable source of clean water for the Red Cross premises and nearby government offices, enhancing water accessibility for the local community.

The event was also attended by Devolution CECM, Japheth Mang’oka and Water Chief Officer, Eng. Julius Makau.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CHAMPIONS SOCIAL INCLUSION IN MAKUENI’S DEVELOPMENT

As part of his vision for inclusive development in Makueni, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has placed social inclusion at the forefront of his administration’s priorities.

To ensure no one is left behind, the county government has prioritized mainstreaming persons living with disabilities into its overall development agenda. As part of this commitment, over 840 residents with disabilities have received state-of-the-art wheelchairs in the 2024/2025 Financial Year to enhance their mobility and independence.

440 of these wheelchairs were procured through the ward-based budget. In a complementary effort, the county partnered with Hope Mobility Kenya to provide an additional 400 wheelchairs, distributed in November 2024, reaching even more beneficiaries.

On Thursday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and Executive Committee Member in-charge of Gender Eng. Sebastian Kyoni issued wheel chairs for Nguu/Masumba and Ivingoni/Nzambani wards on the sidelines of an Ujuzi Teke Teke tools issuance exercise.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CHAIRS STAKEHOLDERS MEETING TO PLAN NGAI NDETHYA SETTLEMENT

Makueni County, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has initiated plans to draw a Land Management Plan for Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve, geared towards excising 13,000 hectares for human settlement and conservancies.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday chaired a consultative forum in his office, which was attended by KWS Wildlife and Community Service Director Prof. Charles Musyoki, several conservancy leaders, and executive committee members among other stakeholders.

The forum aimed to set the stage for the development of a Land Use and Management Plan for the 21,000-hectare Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve. This plan would allow the county government to excise 13,000 hectares off the protected area and pave way for issuance of title deeds.

To spearhead the process, a multi-sectoral team has been established and tasked with drafting the management plan within six months.