STRAIGHT SETS, NO MERCY!
Makueni men’s volleyball team thrashed Meru 3–0 on Day 4 of the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association Games, storming into the semi-finals. Congratulations to our boys!
News
STIRRING GROWTH: MAKUENI FARMERS REJOIN KENYA’S COFFEE COMEBACK
The dream to revive coffee farming in Makueni is gaining fresh momentum with the new nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Enterprises (MSMEs) Development through cooperative societies.
This move seeks to rejuvenate coffee production in both traditional coffee belts and in emerging regions, which have witnessed a decline in the once-thriving cash crop.
On Wednesday, the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union (New KPCU) held a sensitization meeting in Mbooni Subcounty, to engage stakeholders on the revival strategy. The event aimed to create awareness, present program objectives, and share best coffee production practices to guide a new era of innovative, sustainable farming.
The meeting that was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya, emphasized the government’s commitment to revamping the coffee sector.
“The government is fully invested in supporting coffee farmers by providing certified seedlings, improving market access, and restoring the value chain through vibrant cooperative societies,” said Oparanya. “We are not just bringing coffee back—we are making it profitable for every smallholder farmer.”
The Permanent Secretary for Cooperatives Patrick Kiburi Kilemi echoed these sentiments, highlighting sustainable farming as a cornerstone of the strategy.
“This is not about short-term gains,” the PS said. “We are laying the groundwork for long-term, climate-smart farming that guarantees higher yields, quality beans, and better prices.”
Makueni’s County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture and Cooperative Development,
Joyce Mutua, expressed strong support from the county administration, pledging to work hand-in-hand with the national government to empower local farmers.
“Our farmers are ready, and so are we,” said Mutua. “We are committed to this partnership that promises not only to revive coffee farming in Makueni but to transform livelihoods.”
With renewed planning and practical training on best practices such as proper pruning, timely harvesting, disease management and cooperative marketing, Makueni’s coffee sector could soon reclaim its place on the global map.
STAKEHOLDERS SHAPE NAVCDP 2026/2027 BUDGET PRIORITIES IN MAKUENI
National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) stakeholder participation forum to deliberate on the FY 2026/2027 and Medium-Term Budget plans.
The meeting aimed to collect views, recommendations, and priorities from various partners and community representatives to ensure the budget reflects the real needs of Makueni residents.
While addressing the forum, CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development, Elizabeth Muli, emphasized the importance of teamwork and accountability in implementing agricultural projects that empower farmers and strengthen cooperatives across the county.
Ms. Muli reminded participants that the budgeting process should focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people and improving livelihoods.
The engagement, guided by the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, underscored public participation as a key pillar in ensuring inclusivity and transparency in resource allocation.
Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyallo also attended the forum, commending stakeholders for their active involvement in shaping Makueni’s agricultural development agenda.
County staff sign new Performance Contracts as departments compete for glory
All employees of the Government of Makueni County will now work under performance contracts in order to improve service delivery.
The employees, including executive committee members, Chief Officers, directors, and chairpersons of various authorities under the county government signed the performance contracts on Monday, in an event presided over by governor Kivutha Kibwana and his deputy Adelina Mwau.
Those below the director level are expected to sign performance appraisals with their departmental heads before 18th September.
“The deputy governor and myself signed a 4-year performance contract with the people of Makueni County on 23rd March 2018. Our PC was developed in line with the CIDP and it is our expectation that departments have factored our PC in their PCs to ensure what we committed to do is achieved,” said governor Kibwana during the event.
“I want to emphasize that performance management must be entrenched as a culture in the way the Government of Makueni County delivers its services to the citizens (Mwene nthi),” he said.
The keys highlights of the performance contract the governor signed with the people of Makueni include:
WATER
- Construction of 4 Mega dams (10 Million M3)
- Promotion of household and institutional water harvesting targeting at least 100,000 HHs
- Construction and extension of additional 10,000 Km of water pipeline
- Entrenchment of climate change mainstreaming and increasing forest cover by 50%
AGRICULTURE
- 4,880 New hectares put under irrigation and crop production.
- Increase milk production from 28M Kg per year to 43M Kg per year
- Consolidate the agro-processing initiatives – Kalamba fruit processing, Kikima Dairy processing, Leather tannery and cottage industry and Abattoir with Disease free zone
- Halfing the % of Households depending on food aid
HEALTH
- Provision of universal health care targeting 150,000 households in Makueni.
- Investing in diagnostic infrastructure, technology and equipment to facilitate investigation and screening in all health facilities; enhancing & automating health care and staffing of health facilities.
YOUTH, WOMEN AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES SOCIAL & ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
- Establishment of a county scholarship endowment fund
- Creation of 100,000 job opportunities for youth directly and indirectly
- Enhancing access to market relevant skills/training by the youth, PLWDs and PLHIV to make them more marketable
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING, CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT & CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
- Improve public service productivity through performance management
- Human capital management and development
- Development and implementation of structures that support citizen engagement, development of partnerships and resource mobilization
Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu’s Unique Education Approach Sets the Stage for a Vocational Revolution
On Friday, October 27, 2023, Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu in the picturesque Emali Mulala ward of Kibwezi West Sub-county, celebrated a remarkable milestone as 103 learners graduated from the County Technical Training Institute in different disciplines 82 of whom have secured employment already.
The striking success of this CTTI hinges on its unconventional admission criteria, which shatters the barriers of academic prerequisites. Here, the only requirement is a thirst for knowledge and a drive to hone essential life skills.
This approach embodies the belief that anyone with the passion to learn deserves an opportunity.
Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu doesn’t adhere to the standard examination calendar; instead, it sets a unique path. Students are assessed based on their competence and their mastery of the necessary skills, following at least six months of rigorous and hands-on training.
This dynamic approach recognizes that true education goes beyond textbooks and exams; it’s about real-world readiness.
When a student reaches the pinnacle of their career skill development, the institution books their examination via the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) together with other students from different CTTIs since Kwakakulu CTTI is an examination center for both Kenya National Examination Council and NITA.This process ensures that these graduates are not just knowledgeable but are masters of their craft, ready to contribute to the workforce effectively.
The tale of Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu’s 103 graduates is not just a story of personal triumph but a testament to the life-transforming potential of CTTIs. Their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work serve as a beacon of inspiration for the entire community.
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South Eastern Kenya leaders meet for Economic Bloc Policy Formulation
Ukambani top leadership on Friday converged in Kitui town for a consultative forum to put final touches to the operationalization of the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB).
The forum also provided room for public participation by the Bloc’s stakeholders on a national policy for establishment of County Economic Blocs drafted by the Ministry of Devolution and ASAL.
The event was graced by Cabinet Secretary for devolution Eugene Wamalwa, governor Charity Ngilu, Machakos deputy governor Francis Maliti and Makueni County Secretary Paul Wasanga who represented governor Kivutha Kibwana.
According to SEKEB acting chair Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki, the regional economic bloc will have a three-tier administration structure that will steer it to success.
The three tiers will include:
SUMMIT
This will be the apex body which will offer leadership on policy and high level decisions.
The summit will comprise the three governors and senators, each county assembly speakers, majority and minority leaders, MPs, County Secretaries, representatives of the Business Community, Religious leaders, Civil society, Youth, Women, and PWDs.
COUNTY SEKEB FORUMS
Each County is to establish a county forum for deliberating and engagement with the summit as appropriate.
The County Forum will consist of the Governor, senator, all county MPs, MCAs, CECs finance and Trade, representatives of Business, Professionals, Religious, Youth, PWDs, Women, Speaker, and the civil society.
THE SECRETARIAT
This will be the body mandated to carry out administrative duties, mobilization of resources execution of SEKEB Programs and projects as well as Communication.
The Secretariat will report to the summit.
According to Ndambuki, the thematic areas to be pursued by SEKEB include but not limited to: Water resources development, Agriculture and food security, Technology and ICT development, Health Services, Trade and Entrepreneur Development, Manufacturing, Industrialization, Mining/Extractives, Financial Sector Development, Infrastructure development, Urban Planning, Youth and Women empowerment, Tourism and cultural development.
Governor Kivutha Kibwana will be the Secretariat’s legal advisor, while Timothy Ndambuki will head it.
SOLAR ENERGY IS REVOLUTIONIZING WATER ACCESS IN MAKUENI!
“Since 2023, we made a firm commitment that every new water project in Makueni will be powered by solar energy,”- Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.
“Our shift to solar has been transformative in that where diesel generators and grid electricity often failed, leaving water projects as phantoms, we’re now pumping water efficiently across distances of up to 20 km at minimal costs. Mwaani borehole solar project in Wote, installed in 2024, has reduced operational costs by nearly 30 percent,” says Governor Mutula.
PICTURED: Mwaani borehole solar system and Kaiti 2 sand dam solar power system.
SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY
This Policy seeks to provide the administrative and institutional framework for the provision of Social Protection and inclusion to all persons in Makueni County. Article 43 of the Constitution guarantees all Kenyans economic, social, and cultural (ESC) rights, including rights to health, education, food, and decent livelihoods. It asserts the right “of every person…to social security” and binds the State to “provide appropriate social security to persons who are unable to support themselves and their dependants.” The County Government will endeavour to offer social protection in its totality i.e. social assistance; social security; Livelihood support and health insurance.
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SOCIAL PROTECTION POLICY
SMART FARMING INNOVATIONS STEAL THE SHOW AT MAKUENI TRADE FAIR
Innovation, technology and agribusiness opportunities came alive as the 2026 Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair officially opened at Makindu Showground, with climate-smart farming and value chain development emerging as the major attractions for hundreds of farmers, investors and trade enthusiasts.
On the first day of the show, exhibitors showcased modern farming technologies, climate-smart farming practices, quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock production technologies, value addition, post-harvest handling, financial services, agribusiness solutions and locally manufactured products.
Speaking during the official opening of the three-day exhibition, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to positioning Makueni as a leading agricultural powerhouse through investment in smart farming, value chain development and market access.
The innovations are aimed at increasing awareness on productivity, reducing production costs, enhancing food security and creating sustainable income opportunities for farmers.
Mutula further expressed confidence that the county is steadily earning its place among Kenya’s top agricultural producers, with the sector playing a key role in improving household incomes and driving economic growth.
These exhibitions features latest agricultural technologies, certified seeds, modern irrigation systems, farm machinery, livestock innovations, quality agrochemicals, greenhouse technologies, post-harvest solutions, value addition, financial and insurance services, agribusiness advisory, trade innovations and locally manufactured products.
Additionally, the innovations are empowering farmers to boost productivity, reduce losses, improve food security and unlock profitable markets.
The first-day ceremony that culminated with awarding of stunning exhibitors brought together County Executive Committee Members led by acting Agriculture CECM Damaris Kavoi, Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, national government representatives, development partners, exhibitors and local leaders, all united in advancing agriculture as the engine of Makueni’s economic transformation.
