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COUNTY TREASURY CONDUCTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH ON KEY GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi, on Wednesday led a team of staff from the departments of Finance and Lands to Kalawa Market for a community outreach initiative.

The visit aimed to give back to the community and conduct a market clinic focused on land rates and revenue payments.

The day started with a clean-up exercise at the market, aimed at creating a more welcoming and hygienic environment for the residents.

Ms. Kavoi also officially opened the Kalawa Revenue Office, which will now offer residents convenient access to government services related to revenue collection and land rates

The team set up a help desk outside the new office, where they interacted with residents, providing them with information, answering questions and addressing concerns about revenue and other county services.

Ms. Kavoi expressed her intention to replicate this initiative in other major towns across Makueni County.

The market clinics are designed to foster closer interaction with residents, gain valuable insights and enhance the delivery of public services.

COUNTY TRAINS 30 HEALTH WORKERS TO BOOST MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CARE

The Department of Health Services, in collaboration with the national government, Jacaranda Health and World Vision, has successfully trained 30 healthcare workers drawn from facilities across the county.

The participants, comprising medical officers, clinicians and nurses, underwent an intensive five-day programme at Wote on Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EMONC), after which they were awarded certificates.

The training is aimed at strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers in managing maternal and neonatal health, with a broader goal of reducing maternal and newborn deaths to zero.

Acting Director in charge of Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, was present to oversee the initiative.

COUNTY STEPS UP MANGO UPTAKE TO CUT LOSSES AND BOOST FARMER EARNINGS

Makueni County has intensified mango off-taking through the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA) to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure equitable uptake across all wards.

Speaking during a public participation forum at Kalawani Cold Store and Pack House, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli firmly stated that the county has deliberately structured an allocation for every ward to ensure farmers directly benefit from their produce.

She further committed that the department has established a multi-agency taskforce to strictly verify mango uptake and safeguard local farmers from exploitation and safeguard county farmer interests.

Supporting the initiative, Tulimani Ward MCA Kyalo Mumo assured robust Assembly oversight to ensure Kalamba Processing Plant benefits local farmers.

The sensitization forum organized by Trademark Africa, aims to operationalize the facility, strengthen aggregation, stabilize markets, and advance Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s household economic empowerment agenda.

COUNTY ROLLS OUT RAPID ROAD REHABILITATION TO RESTORE ACCESS ACROSS MAKUENI

The Government of Makueni County has launched a rapid response programme to rehabilitate damaged roads following recent heavy rains, with CECM for Infrastructure, Transport , Public Works, Housing and Energy Eng. Peter Mumo leading inspection and intervention works in Ukia and Kasikeu wards.

The exercise will include murraming, grading, installation of bumps, and construction of water drifts and tunnels to improve drainage and road durability. Key areas inspected include Muthekeni in Ukia, Muani and Kilea Primary School roads, and sections near Chief Kiamba Dam water pan in Kasikeu, all aimed at restoring access, especially for learners and local communities.

The county has committed to continuous works across all wards, including weekend operations, to ensure affected areas are reopened and transport is normalized, easing movement for residents, businesses and school-going children.

COUNTY RALLIES LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN MANGO MARKETING AMID BUMPER HARVEST

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with CDDC chairpersons, SACCO leaders, Mango lead farmers and the 7 Cooperatives supplying mangoes to the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant to review the mango marketing status of ward-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The leaders were updated on the current season mango offtake totaling to over 8 million Metric Tonnes and valued at Kshs 260M through exporters, processors and both urban and rural fresh markets.

The forum, attended by County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, focused on practical strategies to manage the ongoing bumper harvest while strengthening collective marketing to safeguard farmer incomes.

Addressing the meeting, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development CECM Liz Muli urged local leaders to mobilize farmers to join organized producer groups which would enable the County Government to negotiate better prices, secure stable markets, and deliver extension services more efficiently.

Dr. Kyambi reaffirmed the county’s commitment to protecting farmers from market exploitation and ensuring fair returns for their produce.

He further emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s agenda of economically empowering households through structured, market-driven agriculture.

COUNTY PARTNERS WITH KILOME YOUTH AND KNH DOCTORS TO REACH OVER 500 IN MEDICAL OUTREACH

Over the weekend, the County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with Kilome Digital Youth Kenya and medical professionals from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), conducted a successful medical outreach program targeting over 500 residents of Kilome Sub-county.

The outreach, led by Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chief Officer for Health Services, provided free medical services including general health screenings, cancer checks, laboratory diagnostics, and medication.

Dr. Mulei noted that the program exceeded expectations, as there was sufficient medication for all patients, with the surplus redirected to local health facilities.

He noted that medical camps play a critical role in early detection and timely intervention of health conditions. He said they also help in identifying cases that require referral to higher-level facilites.

He further disclosed that, as part of the county’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the health department are in the process of developing a health insurance scheme aimed at shielding residents from the vagaries of hospital bills.

COUNTY MOVES TO ENHANCE SURGICAL SAFETY WITH NEW EQUIPMENT

Tawa Sub-County Hospital on Tuesday received a new anesthesia machine, a boost expected to strengthen surgical and critical care services at the facility.

The equipment replaces an aging unit that had broken down, a setback that had limited theatre operations.

Speaking at Tawa Sub County Hospital, Dr. Harvey Mulei who delivered the new machine on behalf of governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. noted that it anticipates to enhance the safety and efficiency of surgical procedures, ensuring uninterrupted access to quality anesthesia services for patients in Tawa Sub-County and neighboring areas.

Dr. Mulei also took the opportunity to introduce the hospital’s medical supretendant.

In a related effort to improve healthcare delivery across the county, Kilungu Sub-County Hospital has already installed a similar anesthesia machine, which is now fully operational and supporting theatre services.

The investment reflects an ongoing drive to equip facilities with modern medical technology that enhances patient outcomes and reduces the need for referrals to higher-level hospitals.

COUNTY LAUNCHES FORUM TO COMBAT NEONATAL DEATHS AND DISPEL HARMFUL HEALTH MYTHS

Healthcare workers from Level 2 and 3 health facilities are gathering at the One Mother and Child Hospital for a sensitization forum aimed at reducing neonatal deaths in the county.

The forum also seeks to address and dispel harmful myths surrounding unsafe health practices, such as the dangerous tradition of gum cutting, in an effort to promote healthier health-seeking behaviors.

The five-day forum was officially inaugurated by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua.

As part of its commitment to improving maternal and child health, the Department is implementing a range of initiatives, including neonatal death audits, comprehensive capacity-building programs for healthcare workers, and the weekly Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system .

This is to track and address preventable deaths. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to foster change and reduce neonatal mortality rates across the county.

COUNTY, KUCO SIGN DEAL AS RETURN-TO-WORK IMPLEMENTATION IMPROVES

The CECM in charge of Health Services Joyce Mutua on Monday held talks with both representatives from the national and branch officials the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers represented by the national secretary General of KUCO George Kibore and chairman Peterson Wachira to assess the progress of the return to work formula for clinical officers.

Mutua who was accompanied by the departmental Chief Officers’ Harvey Mulei (Human Resource) and Irene Makau (Health Services) noted that the previous week, they held talks with the Kenya Civil Servants to deliberate on similar issues affecting the rest of the cadres within the department of health services.

According to Mulei, the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers had previously rated the implementation of the return to work formula to about 60% and on Monday the officials commended the county for improving on the implementation of the same.

The meeting resulted to an agreement that was cosigned between the union officials and the CECM Joyce Mutua as well as Dr. Harvey Mulei.

Early next week, the department will also host the Kenya Union of Nurses and Midwives to discuss issues relating to their members.

County in collaboration with KCB Bank donates food stuffs to children homes

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday led a food donation drive at Kikumini primary school small home, Salama Kenya Baptist children’s home and Tumbuni community centre for children with special needs as a way of supporting meal expenses of special needs children.
Mulili thanked the management of the institutions for creating a world of equal opportunities for children with intellectual impairment among other disabilities.
At Tumbuni, the school provides the children with education and trainings such as weaving based on the child’s aptitude, intelligence and the type and extend of their disability.
The food stuffs donated include: baking flour, cooking oil, maize flour, rice, and beans, thanks to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).