News

FROM LEARNING TO LEADING: MAKUENI’S COHORT VII INTERNS EXIT WITH JOBS, SCHOLARSHIP

It was a bittersweet moment as Makueni County’s seventh cohort of interns gathered today at Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre for their exit meeting after one transformative year in various county departments.

The internship program, which aims to arm fresh graduates with hands-on skills for the competitive job market, saw 125 young professionals take up placements last July — and the results speak for themselves.

By the time they were concluding their contracts, eight had already secured employment opportunities, one earned a coveted scholarship for further studies, and many left equipped with valuable experience they can leverage moving forward.

The internship, a cornerstone of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s commitment to youth empowerment, offers practical exposure and mentorship to those making their first career strides in public service.

The meeting was presided over by ICT, Education and Internship, CECM, Elizabeth Muli, and attended by CECMs, Nicholas Nzioka, Devolution and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Trade and Chief Officer Irene Makau.

The county is now turning its attention to the next batch. Applications for the eighth cohort are ongoing and will close on July 3.

MAKUENI RECEIVES 150 MEDICAL FLOWMETERS FROM PATH TO BOOST OXYGEN THERAPY

Makueni County has received 150 medical flowmeters from PATH, a move aimed at strengthening oxygen therapy services in local health facilities. The flowmeters will be distributed to the Makueni County Referral Hospital as well as Makindu, Sultan Hamud, and Mbooni sub-county hospitals.

According to the Health Services CECM Dr.Paul Musila, the devices are essential for delivering accurate oxygen therapy to patients, particularly in emergency situations.

Dr.Musila, noted that the need for reliable oxygen supply systems in county health facilities became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since then, the county has been working with partners to address existing gaps.

The donation supports Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s broader commitment to strengthening health systems and achieving universal health coverage across the county.

CHIEF JUSTICE LAUNCHES MOBILE COURT GUIDELINES TO BOOST ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Chief Justice Martha Koome on Tuesday unveiled the Mahakama Popote guidelines during the 11th Heads of Station Forum held in Wote, Makueni County.

The guidelines are intended to standardize the delivery of mobile court services across the country, with the goal of reducing both geographic and economic barriers to justice.

This initiative is part of broader judicial reforms aimed at expanding access to legal services, especially for marginalized and remote communities.

During the event, the Chief Justice underscored progress in digital case filing, improvements in court infrastructure, and ongoing reforms within the judiciary, all contributing to more efficient and accessible justice delivery.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who also attended the forum, commended the judiciary for its approach in handling sexual and gender-based violence cases, particularly defilement and rape.

She acknowledged the efforts of the Makueni County Government in supporting access to legal services through budgeting for succession matters. Under this program, 50 families per ward benefit from free succession processing and issuance of title deeds.

She further expressed optimism that the Mahakama Popote initiative would significantly benefit underserved and hard-to-reach communities across the county.

NO MORE DARK NIGHTS IN KITONGU MARKET!

Business owners and patrons of Kitongu Market in Kako/Waia Ward now have a reason to smile after the Department of Energy installed a 20-meter-high mast solar floodlight in the market. Thanks to this initiative, businesses and customers will no longer have to worry about dark nights or security threats after sunset.

In the 2024/2025 Financial Year, the department successfully installed 45 integrated solar market lights across 9 Wards: Thange, Masongaleni, Mtito Andei, Kee, Ilima, Kisau/Kiteta, Kako/Waia, Kathonzweni, and Kitise/Kithuki.

Additionally, 17 grid-powered market floodlights were installed across 7 Wards—Kithungo/Kitundu, Tulimani, Nguumo, Kikumbulyu North, Kitise/Kithuki, Mbitini, and Ukia—further enhancing visibility and security in local markets.

#WauniWaKwikaNesaNaUlungalu

CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE BRING NEW HOPE TO MUKAANGE, MASONGALENI WARD

After years of enduring severe water scarcity—trekking over 7 km to the nearest water point—residents of Mukaange location, Masongaleni Ward, finally have reason to smile.

Once forced to drink salty borehole water, and contaminated water from River Athi, the community now enjoys safe, purified water thanks to a reverse osmosis plant that removes salinity and impurities.

Muliluni-Kiambani Water and Livelihood Enhancement project, implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, has: eliminated long treks for water, reduced crocodile attacks along River Athi, revived honey production through a 50-hive apiary project at Muliluni community forest. A Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has also enhanced restoration of the community forest.

This project highlights Makueni County’s and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commitment to building climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

NDULUKU VTC PARENTS’ DAY SPARKS RENEWED CALL FOR SKILLS‑DRIVEN FUTURE

Parents and guardians of students at Nduluku Vocational Training Centre gathered today for the 2025 Parents’ Day — a vibrant celebration of talent, skills, and progress in vocational training.

The colorful event was graced by CECM for ICT, Education and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, alongside Chief Officer Irene Makau, area MCA Hon. Dennis Musyoka and members of the institution’s board.

Families witnessed first‑hand the impact of hands‑on learning, as students showcased their abilities in trades like fashion design, carpentry, beauty therapy, and electrical installation.

In line with the Governor’s manifesto to expand access to quality skills training and uplift the youth, the County Government has partnered with the KCB Foundation through the 2Jiajiri program.

This collaboration has enabled 900 students to join 15 institutions across the county, strengthening access to quality, skills‑based education and reinforcing the county’s commitment to nurturing a generation of highly skilled youth.

Notably, Nduluku VTC emerged as the biggest beneficiary of this initiative, enrolling 159 students — the highest number across all participating institutions — cementing its role as a beacon of vocational training and a catalyst for a more skilled and resilient future.

MAKUENI EMPOWERS 65 YOUTH IN KILUNGU WITH FREE DRIVING TRAINING AND LICENSES

Makueni County has launched a one-month intensive motor vehicle training program for 65 young people from Kilungu Ward, conducted by Mumbuni Engineering & Driving School. Upon completion, participants will be licensed as fully qualified drivers.

The initiative, led by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, seeks to enhance youth employability, improve road safety, and advance inclusivity under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s empowerment agenda.

On Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni flagged off the program in a ceremony attended by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Salama Traffic Base Commander, and Kilungu Ward MCA Joseph Mbindyo.

The 65 trainees are part of a larger cohort of 289 youth to benefit from the county-sponsored driving training and licensing program in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN WATER SECTOR GOVERNANCE

In an effort to entrench good governance in the water sector, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a partnership agreement with a consortium of non-state actors operating in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) space.

The partners to this agreement include:

• Centre for Social Planning and Administrative Development (CESPAD),

• Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET),

• Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), and

• Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA).

The partnership aims to:

• Jointly mobilize resources (technical and financial) to improve water service delivery, and;

• Strengthen and enhance coordination among stakeholders in implementing climate-resilient WASH programs.

Additionally, Governor Mutula hosted a delegation from the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), which is visiting Kenya to learn from regional best practices in community-led water development and governance.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS MAKUENI’S FIRST COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITALS STRATEGIC PLAN

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday launched the county’s first-ever Referral Hospital Strategic Plan (2025–2030), marking a major milestone in the region’s journey toward delivering quality, inclusive, and specialized healthcare.

The ambitious six-year plan is anchored on four key pillars: quality and specialized health services, robust systems and skilled personnel, smart infrastructure and technology, and patient-centered care that leaves no one behind.

Speaking during the launch, Governor Mutula emphasized that the strategy is structured around the balanced scorecard approach, aligning internal processes, financial stewardship, and institutional capacity with the ultimate goal of improving patient satisfaction.

According to him,the Referral hospital has already made strides with the recent investment in minimal access surgery following the commissioning of a laparoscopic tower. The governor added that the hospital has also introduced new specialized services such as hemato-pathology and neurosurgery, with plans to expand these into centres of excellence within the next five years.

Governor Mutula was joined at the event by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Health Services CECM Dr. Paul Musila,his Lands counterpart CECM Japheth Mang’oka, and several Members of the County Assembly including Jackson Mbalu, Elizabeth Muthike, and Felix Mateso. Also present was the CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, Martha Munyao, alongside other senior county officials.

DESTINATION MAKUENI: A DIGITAL GATEWAY TO EXPLORE AND EMPOWER.

The Tourism Directorate is undertaking a four-day- sensitization forum for local hoteliers, business operators, vendors and transport service providers to enlighten them on how to onboard their products and services onto Destination Makueni.

Destination Makueni is an online platform developed as part of efforts to digitize tourism promotion and bridge the information gap for both visitors and local operators.

In recognizing the Makueni county’s vast tourism potential and the need for a unified online presence, the Directorate partnered with stakeholders to build a platform that supports local businesses, markets Makueni’s unique attractions and encourages sustainable economic growth through tourism.

The platform is designed to make it easy for nature enthusiasts and tourists to discover the county’s hidden gems, hospitality facilities, service providers and local vendors right from their phones or computers at a glance.

The sensitization forums, which kicked off in Mbooni on Monday and continued in Kilome on Tuesday, aim to cover all six sub-counties. Interested hoteliers and tourism service providers are getting the opportunity to onboard their products and services on the platform, complete with detailed pricing information.

This platform offers up-to-date information on hospitality facilities and tourism service providers, ensuring visitors plan their stay with ease.

By giving local hotels, lodges, tour guides and other tourism businesses a digital marketing space, Destination Makueni aims to boost their visibility, attract more guests and drive economic empowerment for communities that rely on tourism for their livelihoods.

www.destinationmakueni.com