More than 80 people living with disabilities in Makueni County today received assistive mobility devices in a drive organized by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services.
The initiative, led by Executive Committee Members Sebastian Kyoni and Japheth Mang’oka, benefited residents of Kitise/Kithuki, Kathonzweni, Kako/Waia and Ukia wards. In Ukia, 12 groups each received 50 chairs to enhance income generation.
This program is part of the broader social inclusion agenda spearheaded by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration, aimed at empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) to lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
Over 600 Students moved to South Eastern Kenya University – Wote Campus
The first batch of Government- sponsored students were on Thursday officially welcomed to the South Eastern Kenya University Wote campus.
The 650 second, third and fourth year students under the faculties of education, humanities and social sciences have been studying at the SEKU main campus at Kwa Vonza in Kitui County.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who was the main guest at the event held at SEKU Wote campus, welcomed the students to the County and promised that the institution will be given more land for expansion.
He asked the students to utilise the Makueni Innovation Hub in Wote to enhance their careers.
The Governor praised local leaders who tirelessly fought for the establishment of the university and also cautioned students against drug abuse.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Douglas Shitanda assured members of the public that the campus will continue offering high-quality training.
Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called for the upgrading of the Wote campus to a constituent college which will lead to a fully-fledged university in Makueni.
The Wote campus has been operational for the past 8 years and the uptake has been low as most students were self- sponsored.
Among those in attendance were Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Chrispus Kiamba, Makueni County Commissioner Henry Wafula, Makueni Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, businessman David Lloyd Masika and
Over 50 cleft lip and palate patients from Makueni are set to undergo free surgical and rehabilitative treatment at Makueni Level 5 Hospital courtesy of the county government, Smile Train Africa and BelaRisu Foundation.
Health Executive Dr Mulwa who officially opened the 3-day surgical camp said the program is one of the major steps towards implementation of the Makueni universal health cover that ensures accessibility of health services to all.
“Today we have a free camp for patients with cleft lip and palate. This program is in line with our universal health care which ensures that no one is left behind in accessing health services,” Mulwa said.
Smile Train Africa Program Director Jane Ngige noted that the camp is in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding signed between them and the county government two years ago that is geared towards promotion of health through the surgical camps and capacity building of medical professionals.
She said: ” Two years ago, we signed an MoU with the County government and that is why we have today’s camp. The main objectives of the agreement is to help train medical professionals as well as help children with cleft lips and palates in Makueni.”
Health Chief Officer Dr Patrick Musyoki said plans are underway to devolve the surgical camps to Sub-County hospitals so that patients can access the services easily and have them run after every 3 months.
More than 3000 residents received orthopedic,dental and cataract surgeries at Tawa Sub-County Hospital during a medical camp organized by the County Government of Makueni in collaboration with the Shrimad Rajchandra charitable organization.
The medical camp successfully addressed three complex orthopedic cases, performed 114 eye cataract surgeries, and conducted 70 dental procedures.
In addition to the surgeries, the camp provided vital health screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure, enhancing access to critical healthcare services for the community.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, Chief Officer for Health Services, encouraged locals to take full advantage of the camp’s offerings, including screenings for cervical and breast cancer as well as other medical conditions.
Dr. Ndolo also urged residents to enroll in the Makueni Care health insurance program (SHA) to ease the financial burden of hospital bills, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in accessing affordable healthcare.
The camp reflects the county’s ongoing efforts to improve health services and promote preventative care among its residents.
More than 30 new mothers at Makueni Mother and Child Hospital on Monday received a pleasant surprise for Mother’s Day, marked on Sunday, when senior female leaders from the county’s Executive paid them a special visit.
Led by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, (CECMs) and Chief Officers distributed gift hampers containing postnatal care packages tailored for lactating mothers.
The gesture was part of efforts to honor and celebrate motherhood.
Mulili praised the critical role mothers play in families and society and urged them to prioritize medical care for infant teething and adopt modern reproductive health practices for better outcomes.
She was accompanied by CECMs Elizabeth Muli (ICT), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa, County Referral Hospital CEO Martha Munyao, and other senior county officials.
Makueni County Secretary Justin Kyambi on Tuesday led a team of leaders in commissioning key projects in Thange Ward to enhance water access and early childhood education.
Among the projects launched was the Nzouni Borehole, equipped with solar-powered pumping, a water kiosk, and a 10,000-liter tank, benefiting over 2,000 residents, including Nzouni Primary School.
The leaders also opened Nzouni ECDE and Kithasyu ECDE, improving early childhood education facilities.
Kyambi urged residents to safeguard the projects, noting that vandalism, especially of water infrastructure, remains rampant. He emphasized the importance of community ownership to ensure long-term benefits.
Kyambi was accompanied by CECMs Elizabeth Muli, Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Devolution, Daniel Ndolo, Governor’s Political Adviser Kasamba Kiilu, Thange MCA Erick Katumo, Kambu DCC Teresia Mburu, among other officials.
A total of 1,740 youth in Makueni County are set to benefit from Wazo, a youth empowerment program spearheaded by the National Government to tackle unemployment and nurture innovation among young people.
The Wazo initiative takes a comprehensive approach to sustainable development by equipping youth with entrepreneurial skills, supporting the growth of startups, and addressing key barriers such as high failure rates of youth-led businesses and lack of knowledge on patenting and intellectual property rights.
Speaking in Makueni on Wednesday, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs,Creative Economy, and Sports, Salim Mvurya, urged the youth to seize the opportunity to shape their future through innovation and enterprise.
He further added that each beneficiary will undergo a six-month intensive training and will receive a monthly stipend of K.sh 6,000 to support them during the period.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili echoed the sentiments, highlighting the county’s ongoing youth empowerment efforts including the Ujuzi Teketeke skills development program and sports initiatives.
Kisaulu borehole in Lumu sub-location, Muani, Kasikeu ward, Kilome Sub-county which the County has developed a centralised reticulation system will be serving over 1,500 people, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has announced.
This phase 4 of the project will have enough water supplied to Kandolo area, and Lumu dispensary.
The locals will have water sold to them at sh. 3/20L Jerican which the residents proposed during the commissioning.
Over 1,500 students from grades 6 to 8 in Kibwezi, Makueni, Kaiti, and Mbooni sub-counties will benefit from the Mainstreaming Gender in Adolescent Health and Nutrition Project by Nutrition International. Launched by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili at Watuka Primary School, the project aims to improve adolescent health and nutrition.
Mulili emphasized the project’s focus on providing accurate information on sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. The project covers nutrition, drug abuse, and gender-based violence, aiming for positive behavioral change.
Isaack Wachira, Makueni’s county coordinator for Nutrition International, highlighted the project’s efforts to support pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers with nutrition education and supplementation.
The event was also attended by Assistant County Commissioner for Kako Division Jackline Leah, nominated members of the county assembly Hon. Elizabeth Mutindi Kiio, Hon. Sarah Mbilo, Hon. Josephine Muasa, Majority Whip Hon. Joyce Kamene, Director of Gender Jane Makau, and Director of Youth Affairs Boniface Muting’a.
At least 120 youth from across the county have graduated from a 3-week free advanced ICT training program under “Tusomeei Computer Nduani” initiative fully funded by the County Government of Makueni.
The training was geared at equipping the young people with computational thinking and problem solving skills in order for them to succeed in the ever changing digital world.
They were competitively selected, 4 from each of the 30 wards and intensively trained on Web Design, Computer Hardware and Software, Graphics Design and computer Networks, with each trainee choosing an area of interest.
Konza Technopolis Development Authority CEO Eng John Tanui who addressed the graduands at Wote Technical Training Institute grounds on Friday said that the training was so timely with the Konza city taking shaping that it will provide a myriad of opportunities for the skilled young people.
“Konza Technopolis will be a sustainable, world-class technology hub and a major economic driver for Kenya, with a vibrant mix of businesses, workers, residents, and urban amenities. The skills you have acquired through this program are tools that prepare you to be among the key experts working at Konza as part of the journey to transform Kenya and Africa using ICT,” Tanui said.
Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau who presided over the ceremony urged the graduands to take advantage of the skills they had acquired and exploit them to become resourceful and create job opportunities for other people in the society.
“What we require from you our graduands is focus and exploitation of the opportunities in ICT that will enable you earn income and create jobs. Not just using it in social media-WhatsApp, twitter and Facebook,” stated Mwau.
The over 120 youth who graduated from free advanced ICT training initiative.
Testimonies by some of the graduands tell of a people who have been empowered with technical skills and ready to face the world despite the increasing cases of unemployment among the young people.
Through the department of Education, Youth, Sports and ICT, the county government has trained other 4000 young people on basic ICT knowledge and has also established 15 Community Information Centres across the county where the citizenry are trained on basic ICT programs as well as access government services online.
