News

NLC MOVES TO RESOLVE MAKUENI -TAVETA BOUNDARY ROW.

The National Land Commission (NLC) on Friday carried out a site inspection and public engagement forum at Mtito Andei town in Makueni County in a bid to resolve the Makueni -Taita Taveta boundary dispute.

NLC chairperson Mr. Gershom Otachi and a team of surveyors walked the residents of both counties through the exercise which involved identifying key areas of contention between the two parties.

The commission is expected to prepare and present a report of its findings and recommendations about the stalemate to the High Court of Kenya, which recently received and analysed materials and heard both written and oral submissions in the stalemate.

The bone of contention remains the town of Mtito Andei which Taita Taveta County claims to be part of her territory.

The residents of this town have on different occasions expressed their disdain towards these claims as they receive all their socio-economic and adminstrative services from Makueni County Government.

The team from NLC have upto end of July 2024 to present their recommendations to the court.

NLC IN BID TO RESOLVE LAND INJUSTICES

The National Land Commission (NLC) is in Makueni County in an effort to address historical land injustices. NLC Vice Chair, Getrude Nguku, who led a team from Nairobi, told Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. that during their two-day visit in the County, they will look into 14 land cases, verifying documents and also undertake site visits.

Nguku asked parties involved in all historical land injustices in the country to seek mediation for faster resolution of cases.

Governor Mutula cited land injustices, including cases involving Manooni and Mulima dams, as major barriers to development and acces to clean water in the County and requested that such cases be expedited.

He also urged resolution of the delayed Ukai land case affecting the South Eastern Kenya University, SEKU.

Mutula pledged full support to the NLC stressing that justice delayed is justice denied.

County officials present included Lands ECM, Dr. Paul Musila and County Attorney, Stanley Nthiwa. Nguku was accompanied by Head of the Historical Land Injustices Secretariat, Edmond Gichuru and Commissioner Tiyah Galgalo among others.

‘Ni Wakati wa Kazi’, Governor, Deputy Governor tell Administrators

Governor H.E Mutula Kilonzo Jr has warned the County Administration against continued politicking, calling them to go back to work to deliver quality services to Wananchi.

Speaking during a familiarization meeting with sub-county, ward and sub-ward administrators in Wote on Tuesday, Kilonzo Jr said he was not interested in knowing who supported or opposed his gubernatorial bid but rather focused on delivering his vision to the people of Makueni.

Further, the governor committed to re-engineer public service in Makueni to make it more efficient and effective by cutting down unnecessary bureaucracy which has slowed down the delivery of government services.

Deputy Governor H.E Lucy Mulili who also addressed the administrators challenged them to work with all elected leaders and the National Government Administration Officers to create synergy in service delivery.

Mulili reiterated on the need to build a cohesive administration that integrates all positive thoughts into deliverables. She said her wish is to oversee a government that implements projects to full completion so that residents can realise value for their money.

NGUUMO RESIDENTS ENDORSE KYANDULU-NDOVOINI WATER PROJECT.

Residents of Nguumo Ward have unanimously endorsed implementation of Kyandulu-Itangini-Kibarani-Ndovoini water project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is among 13 across the county identified by wananchi through a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment for climate change resilience building.

In a public participation forum held at Kiundwani Chief’s camp, the residents denounced suggestions by some local leaders to distribute water from Kyandulu borehole in one subward, saying it would disadvantage their neighbours.

The Sh 10M project is set to distribute water to more than 6,000 residents in the Last Mile Water Connectivity progamme, geared towards bridging the 30,000 cubic meters water supply gap per day in the county.

NGILUNI DISPENSARY GETS MAJOR BOOST IN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH EQUIPMENT

Ngiluni Dispensary in Mtito Andei Ward has received a significant boost following a partnership between the Makueni County Government and Tsavo Trust.

The collaboration delivered essential hospital equipment, including a delivery bed, maternal bed, baby warmers, maternal incubators, a laundry machine, and an electric sterilizing unit, all aimed at enhancing maternal and child healthcare services.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received the equipment on behalf of the county and lauded the partnership, noting that collaboration remains a key pillar in Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration.

Tsavo Trust’s leadership underscored the importance of accelerating healthcare development in remote areas and expressed commitment to strengthening future partnerships with the county.

County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua urged Mtito Andei residents to continue enrolling in the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, emphasizing its role in reducing the cost of healthcare for families.

The event was also attended by Health Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei and Mtito Andei MCA Francis Mulwa.

NEWLY GRADED MALILI-ST. CLARE ROAD TRANSFORMS KIIMA-KIU KALANZONI WARD

Residents of Kiima-Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward have a reason to smile after the Department of Transport in Makueni completed grading and murraming of a 6-kilometer road stretching from Malili (near Lake Oil) to St. Clare Girls Secondary School.

The road connects the interior of the Ward to the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, significantly improving connectivity and transportation in the area.

Chief Officer Naomi Nthambi says the improved access is expected to ease the cost of doing business, enhance agricultural productivity as well as improve access to essential services such as education and healthcare.

NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBERS SWORN IN AS MAKUENI CLIMATE CHANGE FUND BOARD BECOMES FULLY CONSTITUTED

Makueni County Climate Change Fund Board is now fully constituted following the swearing-in of newly appointed members .

The oath of office was administered Monday by the County Attorney and witnessed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Mutula urged the board members to serve as climate change ambassadors within their communities and across the county. He called on them to spearhead resource mobilization efforts to strengthen the county’s climate action plans.

The governor also challenged the board to take a leading role in addressing the environmental impacts of mining activities and to guide the county in implementing proactive measures to protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change.

He further emphasized the importance of positioning the county to benefit from carbon credit opportunities as global momentum toward carbon markets continues to grow.

NEW TOURISM GEM UNVEILED AT MBUI NZAU HILL AS HUNDREDS HIKE TO CELEBRATE

In a push to spotlight local tourism and ecological conservation, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Saturday presided over the launch of a new Ecosystem Tourism Center at Mbui Nzau Hill,an iconic natural landmark now poised to become a magnet for both adventurers and nature enthusiasts.

The scenic launch also transformed into a lively celebration as hundreds of residents and visitors took part in a spirited hike to the hill’s summit, soaking in breathtaking views and reaffirming the area’s potential as a tourist haven.

Mulili lauded the Mbui Nzau community for their dedication to conserving the environment, particularly the springs that flow from the hill and continue to be a vital water source for surrounding households.

Adding to the momentum, County Executive for Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani emphasized that the two-day event would culminate in a tree-planting initiative,further rooting the event in sustainable tourism and environmental restoration.

NEW SULTAN HAMUD MATERNITY WING TO EASE CONGESTION, IMPROVE MATERNAL CARE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu on Friday officially commissioned the Sultan Hamud Mother and Child Wing in a ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili , the county Assembly Health Committee,County assembly clerk Hon Ken Mutuku and members of the public.

The new 50-bed facility, now the second largest maternity unit in the County, marks a major boost for maternal and newborn care in the region. It replaces an overstretched 12-bed maternity wing that served patients from Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties.

According to Sultan Hamud Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Stephen Mwangangi, congestion in the old unit forced mothers to share a single bed with their newborns.

Despite these challenges, the hospital recorded 168 successful deliveries in December last year alone, underscoring the urgent need for expanded maternity services.

The facility is a result of a partnership between the Makueni County Government and the Safaricom Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

The project aligns with the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027, which prioritizes donor coordination and the co-creation of community-driven projects to build a resilient local economy.

NEW NGAKAA DISPENSARY TO BE COMMISSIONED SOON.

Officials from World Vision Kenya on Tuesday paid a courtesy call on Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. to review the progress of ongoing water and health projects being implemented under the existing partnership.

During the meeting, the County team reported that the construction of Ngakaa Hospital in Kibwezi West, which is sponsored by World Vision, is 95 per cent complete and is expected to be commissioned soon to serve the local community.

The discussions also reviewed progress on the Kalawa Water Project, which is scheduled for launch in the near future.

Governor Mutula noted that the County Government is keen on leveraging technology to reduce non-revenue water and enhance accountability in water management.

The meeting further resolved to renew the partnership through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be signed in due course.

Governor Mutula expressed appreciation to World Vision Kenya for its continued support and collaboration in advancing water and health programmes within the county.

The World Vision Kenya delegation was led by its National Director, Mr. Gilbert Kamanga.