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MUTULANI DISPENSARY UPGRADE SIGNALS NEW ERA IN METERNAL CARE

Residents of Kee Ward, Kaiti Sub-County received a major boost in healthcare access following the commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit, a modern maternity wing at Mutulani Dispensary. The facility was officially opened by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in a ceremony that underscored the county’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes.

The KSh 17 million facility, constructed and fully equipped through a partnership between the M-Pesa Foundation and the Makueni County Government, is set to significantly enhance access to quality maternal healthcare services in Kee Ward and the surrounding region.

Speaking during the ceremony Governor Mutula lauded the collaboration, noting that strategic partnerships have become a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda. He highlighted that such initiatives have helped bridge critical funding gaps, particularly after the county experienced a loss of approximately KSh 265 million in allocations following the 2025 Gen Z demonstrations.

The governor expressed deep appreciation for Safaricom and its foundation, describing the relationship as one that goes beyond conventional partnerships. “We consider you as family in Makueni,” he said, emphasizing that the impact of their support cannot be quantified in monetary terms alone.

Significantly , the governor declared that Mutulani Dispensary be upgraded to a Level III facility, with the county government committing to provide all the necessary resources and infrastructure to meet the required standards. This move is expected to further expand service delivery and reduce the need for residents to travel long distances for specialized care.

On his part, Paul Kasimu, the project champion and on behalf of Safaricom commended Makueni County for fostering an enabling environment for partnerships, citing transparency and efficiency as key factors that have attracted investment. He revealed that the M-Pesa Foundation has implemented projects across all 47 counties, with Makueni standing out as a preferred destination.

The County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joyce Mutua, noted that Makueni has already achieved the World Health Organization’s recommended distance to health facilities. She added that the county is now shifting focus toward upgrading and expanding facilities to ensure residents access higher-quality healthcare services.

Mutua also encouraged residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).

The commissioning of the Mutulani Family Care Unit marks yet another milestone in Makueni County’s journey toward accessible, high-quality healthcare for all, particularly for mothers and newborns.

MUTULA WARNS AGAINST VANDALISM AND SABOTAGE OF COUNTY PROJECTS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has issued a stern warning against vandalism and sabotage of county development projects, saying his administration will take firm action against individuals undermining public infrastructure.

The governor cited the Sh79 million Kiboko–Twaaandu water project as a key example, noting that sections of the project have suffered vandalism. He revealed that water pipes at the Kiboko River crossing have been deliberately cut , disrupting progress and inflating repair costs.

Governor Mutula condemned the acts, describing them as criminal and detrimental to service delivery, and called for expedited investigations and prosecution of those responsible. He emphasized that the county government will not tolerate vandalism, warning that such actions deprive residents of essential services and waste public resources.

“The destruction of public infrastructure is an attack on the people of Makueni,” Mutula said. “We will not allow a few individuals to sabotage projects meant to improve livelihoods and access to basic services.”

The Kiboko–Twaaandu water project is expected to supply clean water to the newly launched Ngaaka Health Facility and extend services to Kalii, Kavete, and Nthia areas. Once completed, the project is projected to significantly improve water access for households and public institutions in the region.

The governor urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities.

He was speaking during the commissioning of the Ngakaa health facility in Kibwezi West Sub County.

MUTULA URGES SENATE TO MAKE A RESOLUTION ON NHIF DUES, WARNS OF HEALTH SYSTEM STRAIN.

Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged Parliament to urgently resolve long-standing National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) arrears owed to counties, warning that continued delays could cripple devolved health services.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Investments and Special Funds chaired by William Kipkemoi Kisang, the Makueni governor said counties were struggling with unpaid claims for services already rendered, accusing the national government of dragging its feet in finding a payment solution.

“Without a solution, health systems at the county level risk collapse,” he said, calling on lawmakers to treat the matter with urgency.

Mutula noted that adequate financing remains critical to delivering on the health agenda, arguing that counties can significantly improve services if funding challenges are addressed.

He also raised concerns over the mandatory 35 percent wage bill cap, saying it undermines service delivery. While constructing hospitals is classified as development expenditure, hiring professional staff to run them is treated as recurrent spending, creating a policy contradiction that hampers effective healthcare provision.

The governor further called for the zero-rating of medical equipment to lower costs and support the country’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals.

During his presentation, Mutula outlined measures Makueni County is implementing to enhance healthcare access, including automation of health processes and rapid registration under the Social Health Authority (SHA).

He said the county had set aside Sh90 million under its Universal Health Coverage programme to register approximately 11,000 indigent residents, with plans to scale up coverage to 200,000 people. The initiative, he added, is aimed at ensuring sustainability in healthcare financing, particularly for vulnerable populations with no alternative access to medical services.

Mutula also highlighted the use of Proximie technology to bridge gaps in specialised medical manpower, enabling remote support and expertise in local facilities.

Members of the committee commended the county for deploying technology in the health sector and for putting in place systems that promote accountability.

MUTULA URGES CLOSER COLLABORATION TO PROTECT WATER PROJECTS FROM VANDALISM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for stronger collaboration between county governments and water agencies to safeguard public water projects from vandalism, saying the destruction of infrastructure continues to undermine investments in the sector.

The governor made the remarks on Monday when he met the leadership of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency (TAWWDA) led by Board Chairperson, Regina Ndambuki and Chief Executive Officer Sammy Lemunke Naporos.

Mutula said security should be incorporated into the design and implementation of water projects to protect critical infrastructure from sabotage and ensure investments deliver lasting benefits to residents.

The governor also urged the agency to fast-track the development of a sewerage system for Wote Town, warning that delays could trigger serious public health challenges once the government’s Affordable Housing Programme becomes operational.

The TAWWDA delegation is in Makueni to oversee the implementation of key water and sanitation projects aimed at improving access to clean water across the county.Among the flagship projects is the construction of a reinforced concrete weir on the Kaiti River, a 400-cubic-metre sump, infiltration galleries, submersible pumps, a 20-kilometre water distribution pipeline and 1,000 household water connections.

The Agency also handed over two motorcycles, office equipment and 10 smart water meters to the Makueni County Government to strengthen water service delivery and improve administration.

MUTULA UNVEILS BOLD LAND AND DEVELOPMENT REFORMS IN JAMHURI DAY ADDRESS AT KIKIMA

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr used the Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kikima Secondary School grounds to outline sweeping land and development reforms aimed at securing the county’s future prosperity.

The governor announced that his administration has already issued 700 title deeds to safeguard public utilities—among them ECDE centres, health facilities, churches, and boreholes—while 557 more are awaiting issuance.

In partnership with the national government, he said 2,700 freehold titles had been delivered in the Kinyoo, Syumile, Wathini and Kyamuoso adjudication areas, with plans underway to release a further 6,000 titles, including those for Kaunguni Settlement Scheme.

He added that the excision of Ngai Ndethia Game Reserve was being fast-tracked to facilitate human settlement.

Mutula also highlighted progress in tenure regularization, noting that 961 title deeds had been issued in Soko Mjinga, Misongeni and Mjini, while 104 plots in Nunguni had been surveyed and allotted. Efforts are ongoing to reclaim 25 acres of DWA land for a modern bus park and 381 acres for settlement of squatters, alongside opening a new public access road from Kibwezi Town to Kyumani.

On household land ownership, the governor celebrated the expansion of a pilot succession programme now covering 15 additional wards, expected to benefit 2,300 households and more than 10,000 people. He emphasised that the initiative brings justice closer to families, strengthens inheritance literacy and empowers women and vulnerable groups.

Turning to economic investments, the governor reported progress on the Economic Stimulus Programme markets in Kilala, Mutulani and Makindu, with stalled projects in Kikima and Kasikeu being revived. Construction of the Ksh 347 million Wote Modern Market is set to begin after relocation of traders, ultimately benefiting over 6,000 small businesses.

On infrastructure, the governor revealed that projects worth Ksh 146 million will be rolled out across all 30 wards under the Road Maintenance Fuel Levy.

MUTULA RALLIES STAKEHOLDERS TO BOOST VOTER REGISTRATION IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged a targeted push to register over 54,000 eligible voters in the county.

Speaking at a stakeholder forum convened by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Wote Technical Training Institute, Mutula called for a data-driven approach to identify and reach unregistered voters. He questioned whether uncollected national IDs account for a large share of those yet to sign up and pressed for their issuance alongside registration drives.

He also emphasized the need to ease voter transfers during the ongoing exercise to improve access.

The forum brought together county government leadership, County assembly leadership, youth leaders, religious groups, civil society, media, community organisations and other key stakeholders.

Officials cited the Huduma Mashinani initiative,through which about 2,000 voters were registered,as an effective outreach model.

County Executive Committee Member Sebastian Kyoni said the county will work with youth groups, boda boda operators, and women’s organisations to scale up mobilisation.

Makueni Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called for stronger media partnerships to boost awareness.

So far, 4,295 new voters have been registered, far short of the 54,581 target.

MUTULA PUTS MAKUENI AT THE CENTER OF AFRICA’S GREEN INDUSTRIAL SHIFT DURING KIICO

At the Kenya International Investment Conference 2026, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. positioned Makueni County as a leader in Africa’s green industrial future, highlighting the county’s energy plan, whose goals are already being realized.

He called for industrialization that is cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive, spotlighting sectors from climate-smart agro-processing to renewable-powered factories.

Mutula emphasized the often-overlooked economic impact of biomass cooking in schools, hospitals, and prisons. The event also saw the launch of the country’s first $589 million Institutional Clean Cooking Sector Pack to scale clean cooking solutions. Makueni partnered with CLASP to accelerate adoption, demonstrating practical, measurable action.

He urged investors, innovators, and development partners to move from resolutions to implementation. He also stressed the need to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies in government, noting that Makueni’s transparent governance serves as a model for effective public-private partnerships.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki reinforced Africa’s green potential through solar, sustainable agriculture, energy transitions, and critical minerals, highlighting private-public partnerships as essential to progress.

MUTULA: POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE A ‘POLITICAL FAILURE’ AS MAKUENI RECORDS ZERO MATERNAL DEATHS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has termed postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) a “political failure,” saying preventable maternal deaths persist because systems have not prioritized the lives of women.

Speaking on Friday at Kusyombunguo Hotel during a Nation Media Group roundtable on maternal health, the governor noted that PPH remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths globally, not because it is untreatable, but due to gaps in policy, access and prioritisation.

Governor Mutula, a global advocate in the fight against maternal mortality, recounted Makueni County’s efforts to curb PPH-related deaths. He highlighted the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a uterotonic medicine used to contract the uterus and prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

At the time the county adopted the drug, it cost Sh2,700 per dose. However, following its uptake and subsequent stocking by the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the price has dropped significantly to about Sh95.

The governor expressed pride in Makueni’s progress, noting that the county recorded zero maternal deaths in 2023 and 2024, attributing the achievement in part to the use of Heat-Stable Carbetocin and strengthened maternal health interventions.

In Kenya, maternal mortality remains unacceptably high, with an estimated 355 deaths per 100,000 live births, rising to nearly 400 in some parts of East and West Africa.

Nation Media Group CEO Geoffrey Odundo also challenged counties to consider partnering with the private sector on maternal health conversations to leverage on reducing mortality.

To further address the challenge, Jhpiego has partnered with Makueni County to implement targeted interventions aimed at reducing maternal deaths associated with postpartum hemorrhage.

MUTULA, LSK OFFICIALS FORGE PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday met officials of the newly elected Law Society of Kenya (LSK) South Eastern Branch and pledged closer collaboration to improve access to justice and legal services in the county.

The delegation, led by Branch Chairperson Priscillah Kioko and Secretary Doreen Mwau, discussed legal aid, expansion of Huduma Mashinani services, settlement of pending bills, land succession disputes and plans to secure land at Matiliku for the construction of a court.

Governor Mutula urged lawyers to embrace a collective approach to addressing community challenges, saying stronger cooperation between the county government and the legal fraternity would enhance service delivery and promote social justice for residents.

MUTULA LAUDS CATHOLIC CHURCH OVER STRIDES IN EDUCATION SECTOR

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has expressed concern over rampant vandalism of County projects in Kilome for scrap metal and said he had asked the County Commissioner to convene a leaders emergency meeting to discuss how to curb the menace.

Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of St. Clare Konza Girls Catholic Church, in Kiima Kiu-Kalanzoni Ward, the Governor said the activity was affecting service delivery.

He lauded the Catholic Church for its massive investment in the education sector in the country.

The girls’ school started operations in 2024. Catholic Bishop Diocese of Machakos, Rt. Rev. Norman Wambua asked the youth to embrace tenets of hard work early in life in order to be to succeeed.

He expressed concern that many young people in Kenya were addicted to drugs and asked teachers to lay a strong foundation for the youth by highlighting the danger posed by drugs.

He, at the same time, lauded partners from Germany for helping with the construction of the school. The school boasts of modern laboratories for physics, biology and chemistry among others.

The Governor was accompanied by Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia and MCAs led by Deputy Speaker, Francis Mulwa, area MCA, Justus Mwanzia, Reuben Kavai, Kasikeu, Joseph Mbondyo, Kilungu, Joseph Muema, Mukaa, Kyalo Mumo, Tulimani and Magdaline Mulwa.