News

GOVERNOR MUTULA FULFILLS PLEDGE TO KASUNGUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KEE WARD

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has fulfilled a pledge he made on July 31 during his tour of Kee Ward by delivering 22 rolls of chain-link wire to Kasunguni Primary School.

The delivery was made today by CECM ICT, Education & Internship, Japheth Mang’oka, accompanied by Chief Officer Irene Makau. The school’s leadership and parents expressed their gratitude, saying the fencing materials will enhance security at the institution.

The departmental leadership also visited Kyanduya Vocational Training Centre, Kee VTC, and Mwea in Kee Ward, to monitor and evaluate development and learning at the institutions.

MAKUENI, VSF GERMANY JOIN HANDS TO TACKLE RABIES THREAT

Rabies remains a deadly but preventable disease that threatens both animals and people in Makueni County.

With rising cases linked to dog and cat bites, the county government has moved to strengthen control measures by teaming up with Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (DZ) Germany (VSF Germany), an NGO with 25 years of experience in Kenya.

On Monday, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili accompanied by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with VSF’s David Owino, and was witnessed by County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa.

Under the agreement, the county will mobilize pet owners, provide extension services and coordinate vaccination logistics, while VSF Germany will inject technical expertise, supplies and €20,000 in financial support.

Mulili noted that the partnership was a big step in protecting families, farmers and livestock from the deadly threat of rabies. She further appreciated VSF Germany for walking with the county government in safeguarding the health and livelihoods of Makueni residents.

This partnership aims to guide joint efforts in rabies vaccination, awareness creation and broader One Health programs.

The awareness campaigns are expected to run through December 2025, laying a strong foundation for long-term animal and public health resilience in the county.

FARMERS TO GAIN FROM ELIM AGROINFO’S 3rd EXPO IN KIBOKO – MAKUENI

ELIM AGROinfo Academy, an agricultural company based in Kibwezi, Makueni County, is holding its 3rd Farmers Expo on September 10th and 11th, 2025, on a 2-acre farm at Kiboko – Makindu.

In partnership with the County Government’s Department of Agriculture, the expo targets to bring together over 1,500 farmers to learn modern ways of boosting yields through the right seeds, quality inputs and hands-on crop management demonstrations.

The expo will feature over 32 top agricultural companies offering products in seeds, crop nutrition, protection, animal health and financial services designed for farmers to adopt best practices that increase productivity.

This event will also connect farmers, businesses and experts to share knowledge, showcase innovations and create opportunities for profitable farming and agricultural growth in the county and region.

With the unpredictable climate pattern in Makueni, the 2-day expo will also serve as a vital platform equipping farmers with knowledge to make smart, effective and appropriate decisions on their farms.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR MULILI JOINS PRAYER SESSION AT WOTE HUDUMA CENTRE

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday morning joined a prayer session at the Wote Huduma Centre to mark Huduma Prayer Day.

The event brought together officers, including Makueni Deputy County Commissioner Paul Lagat, to seek God’s guidance in serving the public.

Mulili called on officers to embrace humility and dedication as they serve residents, stressing that Huduma Centres were created to make government services accessible under one roof.

She commended the Wote Huduma Centre team for their fast and reliable service, which has so far reached over 800,000 people since the centre was established.

The Deputy Governor also assured residents that she will follow up on setting up county government desks at the centre to expand services further.

The prayer session served as a reminder that public service is not just about efficiency but also about compassion and commitment to the people.

MAKUENI MANGO FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM 15,000 FRUIT FLY TRAPS

Makueni mango farmers have received a major boost in the fight against fruit fly infestation after Trademark Africa, with support from the European Union, donated 15,000 fruit fly pheromone traps to the county.

The consignment was officially received on Friday by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who noted that the intervention comes at the peak of mango production season and will help increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.

The traps, which contain pheromones that attract fruit flies to a biopesticide killing chamber, offer an environmentally friendly solution.

Unlike excessive pesticide use, which is harmful to human health and the environment, the traps provide safe and sustainable control of the destructive pest.

Speaking during the handover, Mulili, accompanied by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, appreciated the partnership with Trademark Africa in empowering farmers, creating jobs and driving Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of boosting agricultural productivity.

The event was also attended by Trademark Africa’s Program Manager for Business Competitiveness, Samuel Konzolo.

KITISE RESIDENTS SET TO BENEFIT FROM REVIVED ATHI-KITISE WATER PROJECT

Over 6,500 residents of Kitise Ward will now have access to safe, clean, and reliable water following the rehabilitation of the long-stalled Athi-Kitise Water Project, which had subjected the community to years of untold suffering.

The Department of Water injected KES 8.5 million into the project, facilitating the installation of a new intake sump, a solar-powered pumping system, and the replacement of a 3km pipeline to the treatment plant.

During an inspection tour on Thursday, Water Executive Committee Member Eng. John Kieti assured residents that the project would be completed soonest, ushering in a new dawn for households that have long relied on untreated water from River Athi.

MAKUENI FRUIT AUTHORITY WELCOMES NEW CEO

The Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority has received Joseph Kioko as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Kioko formerly Managing Director of Kenya Planters Co-operative Union Ltd (KPCU) takes over from Agnes Kitili, who has been serving in an acting capacity.

In driving the authority’s mission, the new CEO is expected to transform the livelihoods of fruit farmers across Makueni by ensuring stable mango prices and reducing post-harvest losses.

The Thursday onboarding was witnessed by Elizabeth Muli, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, who expressed confidence that the new CEO will strengthen the county’s fruit sector and boost farmers’ incomes.

The authority remains a key driver in positioning Makueni as a leader in fruit production and marketing, providing farmers with fair returns while securing the future of the county’s mango industry.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO URGES ACTION ON TEEN PREGNANCIES.

Makueni County has been selected as a key focus area in a nationwide study by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to assess the state of girls’ education in marginalized communities across Kenya.

A delegation from NGEC, led by Commissioner Nzomo Mbithuka, which paid a courtesy call on the Makueni Governor announced that 12 schools in Makueni will participate in the study. The County was chosen due to its relatively high literacy rate of 82% and impressive 97% transition rate from primary school. However, concerns remain over a significant drop in transition to secondary school, which stands at 82%.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. welcomed the initiative and expressed deep concern over the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the county—a major factor contributing to school dropouts among girls.

The governor also drew attention to the increasingly overlooked plight of the boy child, noting that many boys are grappling with neglect, depression, and loneliness.

MAKUENI TO SHOWCASE CLIMATE-SMART INNOVATIONS.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr today met with a technical team to review preparations for the Timbuktoo Green Future Hackathon, where Makueni is one of five pilot counties selected to showcase climate-smart innovations. The October 2025 event, led by Konza Technopolis, UNDP, and partners, seeks to empower youth-driven solutions to climate change.

Launched in December 2024 by President William Ruto, the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub aims to support 10,000 African startups over the next decade, focusing on renewable energy, climate adaptation, and waste management. Makueni has formed a multi-sectoral team to coordinate participation.

Governor Kilonzo said the initiative will position Makueni as a hub for green innovation, with plans to mobilize startups, identify climate challenges, and incubate winning solutions.

NZIU VTC IN FUNDRAISER TO PURCHASE DRIVING SCHOOL VEHICLES

Nziu Vocational Training Centre on Saturday hosted a major fundraising drive to purchase driving school vehicles, drawing strong support from Makueni County leaders and the local community. The event highlighted the centre’s rapid growth and its position as the institution with the highest number of trainees among the county’s 61 vocational centres.

CECM for ICT, Education & Internship Japheth Mang’oka urged parents to enroll more students, saying technical and vocational training offers a pathway to economic empowerment.

The centre is among 15 institutions selected under the KCB Foundation Sponsorship Programme, Cohort 1, a recognition that has boosted its reputation as a hub for hands-on skills training. The vehicles will ease access for learners, aligning with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s manifesto pledge to strengthen vocational training by investing in modern equipment

The event was attended by Chief Officer Irene Makau, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa alongside area MCA Felix Mateso among others.