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Bat-and-ball game hits Makueni!

Makueni has started discussions with Cricket Kenya aiming at opening opportunities to the youth towards earning them livelihood through sports.
The fruits will soon be felt following the launch of the game on Wednesday at Enzai playground, Mukaa, Kilome.
The launch was overseen by Makueni’s sports Director Ambrose Kisoi who doubles as the Secretary General- Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) and Member- Youth Commission (National Olympic Committee of Kenya).
Atleast 35 trainee coaches have been introduced to this game and will be awarded a world class recognized basic coaching certificate; according to Kisoi.
During the same occasion, 25 pupils were excited to have a first hand experience in Bowling with hope of becoming experienced bowlers and all-rounders at long-run.
“We were privileged to host 6 top class Cricket Kenya professionals including David Obuya, former Kenyan cricketer and the national team coach among others,” Kisoi said
Makueni will be embarking on a programme to ensure that the game is introduced in the remaining 5 sub-counties by June, 2023.

BAOBAB INNOVATION SHINES AT NAIROBI TRADE FAIR 2025

The Adansonia Digitata, widely known as the baobab tree (‘namba’ in kamba), is a resilient plant that thrives in drylands, including Kibwezi in Makueni.

Its fruit is packed with nutrients, boosting immunity, aiding digestion and supporting overall body health.

Traditionally cherished for its medicinal and food uses, the baobab continues to stand out as a natural gift with immense value.

Among the young innovators showcasing this potential is Emanuel Kioko Kimeu, a passionate youth from Kee Ward, Kaiti Sub-County.

Through his venture, Kee Botanical Gardens Illustrator, Kioko has dedicated himself to research on local plants, documenting their food and medicinal value while championing their use in modern diets.

His creativity and passion are giving indigenous plants a new life in today’s food systems.

Aligning with this year’s Nairobi Trade Fair 2025 theme of promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable trade, the Makueni County Government, in partnership with the Micro Small Enterprise Authority, has provided a stand for local innovators like Kioko to exhibit their work.

One of his unique value addition projects involves processing baobab fruit into bread jam and porridge flour—highly nutritious products that promote healthy living.

Such innovations highlight how local plants are not only protecting community health but also strengthening food security and economic growth.

For Makueni, these efforts showcase the richness of indigenous knowledge, turning climate-resilient resources like the baobab into everyday solutions for the people.

AVOCADO SUMMIT SPARKS NEW HOPE FOR FRUIT FARMERS

Agriculture remains a key pillar in Makueni, contributing about 27.7% to the County’s Gross Product. An estimated 70% of households engage in fruit farming, with mangoes leading the sector.

Though avocado currently accounts for a smaller share, its value and production have been steadily rising—making it a promising venture for farmers seeking growth.

It is against this backdrop that a two-day Avocado Summit is underway in Kikima Town, bringing together farmers from Mbooni, Kaiti and Kilome.

The summit, organized by the County Government in partnership with agricultural stakeholders, focuses on equipping farmers with practical knowledge on soil management, orchard establishment, farm nutrition, pest and disease control, flowering and pollination, fruit development, marketing and export standards.

Speaking during the event, Chief Officer for Agriculture, Japheth Kiminza, encouraged farmers to adopt high-quality Hass and Fuerte avocado varieties to boost yields and income.

The CO who was accompanied by East Africa Marketing Development Authority CEO Eunice Ngina and area MCA Alex Mulemba among other stakeholders reaffirmed the County’s commitment to supporting the value chain by supplying clean planting materials, promoting certified nurseries, offering grafting and spraying services, and linking farmers to reliable market outlets and exporters.

With avocado production in Makueni rising from 2,100 MTs in 2021 to 2,394 MTs in 2023, the summit signals a growing opportunity, one that promises better incomes, jobs and value addition for households across the county.

AVOCADO FARMERS RECEIVE ORGANIC FERTILIZER

Ilima Ward: March 20, 2024

Avocado Farmers Receive Organic Fertilizer

A total of 306 avocado farmers from Ilima Ward have received 15.3 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer to bolster productivity.

The initiative is a ward project which was requested by the farmers through public participation.

The distribution exercise was led by Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyallo on Wednesday at the Ward Administration office.

AVOCADO FARMERS IN KAITI AND KILOME TRAINED FOR EXPORT GROWTH

On Friday, avocado farmers in Kilungu and Kilome sub-counties completed a four-day training to enhance their export capabilities.

The training, conducted by TradeMark Africa (TMA), an NGO committed to promoting trade and prosperity, with support by the European Union through the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Program (BEEEP), centered on achieving compliance with global export standards.

BEEEP is designed to boost Kenya’s export competitiveness in key agricultural commodities such as avocados, mangoes, vegetables and flowers.

The training aimed to equip participants with essential skills in proper chemical usage and hygiene practices to ensure high-quality farm produce.

Attending the training session, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo emphasized the importance of farmers organizing themselves into registered groups to access more trainings and market opportunities.

The session ended with plans for a certification exercise under Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and KEBS’ KS1758-2016 standards.

This standardization certification will enhance market access for avocado produce, leading to better prices and improved livelihoods for farmers.

The initiative reflects Makueni County’s commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening agricultural exports.

ATHI-TUNGUNI WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, BRINGING RELIEF TO THOUSANDS.

The long wait for reliable water is nearly over for residents of Nguumo, Makindu and Kikumbulyu North wards as the Athi-Tunguni water project enters its final stages of completion.

The Sh 68M project by the Government of Makueni County aims to draw and treat water from Athi River and supply it to the three wards.

During a routine inspection of ongoing works on Friday, Water Executive Committee Member Eng. John Kieti and his Infrastructure counterpart Eng. Peter Mumo confirmed the pipeline extension works are progressing well, with full completion expected by August 2025.

The Athi-Tunguni initiative is a flagship project under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Program, which aims to achieve universal water access by 2027.

ATHI–TUNGUNI WATER PROJECT ENDS YEARS OF THIRST IN KIBWEZI WEST

The completion of Athi–Tunguni–Kilema water project has brought long-awaited relief to thousands of households across Kikumbulyu North, Makindu and Nguumo wards, ending years of reliance on raw, untreated water from River Athi.

For decades, families walked long distances to fetch unsafe water, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases and the daily burden of hauling heavy containers. The water is now pumped from the river, treated and distributed through a 27-km pipeline.

For Eunice of Mukononi village, the project is nothing short of life changing. She recalls drawing water from a shallow well dug at the base of Mukononi River, an exposed pit whose high sandy walls could collapse at any moment. That was her everyday reality. Today, she says devolution has finally made meaning to her and fellow residents, as clean water now flows safely to their community.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr says the project will be expanded to cover a total of five wards.

ATHI-KALAWA WATER PROJECT UNDER REHABILITATION BY GOVERNMENT OF MAKUENI COUNTY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WORLD VISION-KENYA.

Athi-Kalawa water project under rehabilitation by Government of Makueni County in partnership with World Vision-Kenya. Rehabilitation works which include Intake at River Athi, booster station and modern treatment facility is 85 percent complete.

Once complete, this project will bring safe, reliable water to 80% of Kalawa Ward residents through the #LastMileWaterConnectivity spearheaded by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr

ATHI-KALAWA WATER PROJECT SET TO DELIVER SAFE WATER TO OVER 30,000 RESIDENTS.

The Government of Makueni County is in the final stages of completing the Athi–Kalawa Water Distribution Project in Kalawa Ward, marking another major milestone in expanding access to safe and reliable water.

The project, implemented through a partnership between the County Government and World Vision, will deliver clean water to more than 30,000 residents.

Under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, the project has expanded the water distribution network to Katulye, Kimeeni, Katoloka, Ndauni, Syokilati, Kwa Kyule and Syotuvali. Key public institutions, including Itumbule Primary School, Ndauni Primary School, Ndauni Secondary School, vocational training centres, health facilities and market centres, have also been connected.

The project underscores the County Government’s commitment to its Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda by strengthening water security and improving the safety of communities living along the Athi River corridor, who have for years faced the risk of crocodile attacks while fetching water from the river.