MAKUENI WOMEN FOOTBALLERS AT THE KYISA GAMES IN KILIFI
Makueni Women Footballers at the KYISA Games in Kilifi. The team is currently taking on Siaya in their Round Robin opening match. Makueni is the defending champions.
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MAKUENI WINS THE EMERGING TOURISM DESTINATION AWARD.
Makueni County on Wednesday evening shone on the national stage after clinching the Emerging Tourism Destination award at the 2nd Annual Kenya Tourism Awards Gala, marking a landmark achievement that highlights the county’s rapid rise in the tourism sector.
The award was received by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism CECM Waziri Nicholas Nzioka alongside Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, in celebration of Makueni County’s bold investments in tourism marketing, destination development and strong public–private partnerships that are steadily transforming the county into a vibrant and attractive destination for revellers.
The gala was graced by PS for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke, who highlighted tourism as a vital pillar of Kenya’s economy and called on counties to boldly market their distinctive attractions to unlock greater growth in the sector.
Blessed with breathtaking landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, Makueni County is steadily carving out its place as a competitive tourism destination.
The awards, spanning various categories in the tourism sector, seek to spotlight and strengthen tourism as a key driver of economic growth and local development.
MAKUENI WELCOMES LATEST COHORT OF INTERNS
The Government of Makueni County has expanded its efforts to tackle youth unemployment by inducting a second large cohort of interns this year. Following the initial onboarding of 49 interns on September 15, 2025, the county government today officially welcomed another 55 young professionals.
The event was graced by CECM Japheth Mang’oka, Chief Officer for Education & ICT Irene Makau and the Director of Revenue, alongside other facilitators who will guide the new recruits. These 55 innterns will be spread across various county departments, marking a substantial commitment by the Department of ICT, Education, and Internship to integrate Makueni’s youth into the public sector workforce.
The overarching goal of the 12-month internship programme is to equip Makueni’s youth with the necessary employability skills crucial for navigating the competitive job market.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT, Education & Internship highlighted the program’s significance, stating: “This initiative is not just about filling positions; it’s an investment in the future of Makueni County. We are committed to empowering our youth with the hands-on experience and professional discipline that will make them competitive in the modern job market, both locally and internationally.”
This practical exposure within the county public service is specifically designed to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and real-world professional demands, fostering a more skilled and dynamic local workforce.
Makueni water agenda on course
Governor Kivutha Kibwana on Monday commissioned two water projects in his bid to curb the perennial water scarcity in the county.
A 52,472 cubic metres Kimundi earth dam which serves a population of 7000 Kithuki/Kitise residents was the first to be commissioned followed by the Kikumini borehole with a yielding capacity of 9.5 cubic metres per hour.
The Kikumini bore hole is scheduled to supply water to Kikumini dispensary, Makueni CTTI and Kikumini market targeting a population of about 3000 residents.
Speaking to residents while commissioning the projects, governor Kibwana emphasized on cost effective and people centered development.
Kibwana commended the good work by project management committees across the county for supervising delivery of quality workmanship by contractors.
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.
MAKUENI VOWS TO LIFT ULTRA-POOR AS KENYA LAUNCHES NATIONAL STRATEGY
Makueni County has reaffirmed its determination to eradicate extreme poverty, declaring that no resident will be left behind in the push toward Sustainable Development Goal 1.
Speaking at the official launch of Kenya’s National Ultra-Poor Graduation Strategy on Tuesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili highlighted the county’s poverty rate of 39.7 percent and positioned the new national framework as a perfect fit with Makueni’s long-standing focus on inclusive growth, social protection, and economic empowerment.
Representing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Mulili announced that the county is already piloting the graduation programme with significant budgetary allocations, including dedicated support for persons with disabilities from the poorest households.
She further pledged county co-financing for targeted interventions aimed at strengthening local social safety nets and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the ultra-poor.
The event was also attended by PS state department for Social Protection and Senior Affairs Joseph Motari, Taita Taveta governor Andrew Mwandime and County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni.
MAKUENI, VITAMIN ANGELS PARTNER TO TACKLE ANAEMIA THROUGH NEW NUTRITION STRATEGIES.
Makueni County, in collaboration with Vitamin Angels through the transforming lives consortium, on Friday concluded a four-day co-creation workshop held in Makindu and Wote.
The forum brought together community leaders, pregnant and lactating mothers, development partners, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), healthcare workers, administrators, and influencers, including spouses and mothers-in-law.
The workshop focused on developing strategies to address anaemia, which currently stands at 40 percent in the county, according to data from the Kenya Health Data Information System (KDHIS).
Dr. Lucy Kanya, Regional director for Vitamin Angels noted that while pregnant women have been receiving daily Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplements, many still experience other micronutrient deficiencies, adding that the deficiencies are linked to adverse outcomes such as anaemia, prematurity, and low birth weight.
Further ,while IFA supplementation coverage is high, adherence according to Dr. Lucy remains low as evidenced in the poor health outcomes such as anaemia, which currently stands at 40 percent in the county according to data from the Kenya Health and Information System.
During the workshop,participants validated research findings to support the implementation of multiple micronutrient supplementation within the antenatal care platform in the county.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends MMS which contains 15 essential vitamins and minerals for positive pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vitamin Angels in 2025 to support the introduction of MMS within the ANC platform in Makueni.
The programme will be implemented across 13 health facilities, including the county referral hospital, six sub-county hospitals, four health centres, and two dispensaries.
County Nutrition Coordinator Ruth Kaloki said the workshop outcomes will guide the development of tailored messages and materials suited to the Makueni context.
She added that the strategies will be rolled out alongside the distribution of MMS and monitored to inform potential countywide scale-up.
MAKUENI VALIDATES MEDICAL LABORATORY STRATEGIC PLAN TO STRENGTHEN DIAGNOSIS, QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES.
Makueni County on Tuesday validated a Medical Laboratory Strategic Plan, marking a major step toward improving the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of diagnostic services across all health facilities in the county.
During the exercise, Health County Executive Committee Member, Joyce Mutua emphasized the central role that laboratories play in ensuring effective patient care. She said when laboratory services are efficient and results are timely and credible, clinicians are able to provide accurate prescriptions and save patients from delayed or incorrect treatment.
Mutua said the strategy comes at a time when the county is prioritizing the adoption of innovative technology and improved turnaround times for test results. She affirmed the county government’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure, strengthening human resources, and ensuring that laboratory personnel remain well trained, well equipped and motivated.
The CECM also noted the strong support received from partners such as C-HEB, the Ministry of Health, Amref Health Africa and regulatory bodies.
Makueni currently hosts 242 health facilities, 87 of which operate medical laboratories, all of which depend on reliable diagnostic services for disease detection, treatment monitoring and public health interventions.
The event was attended by the Chief Officer, Health Services Dr. Harvey Mulei among others.
Makueni ushers the new year 2019 with a blast
At exactly 00:00hrs, Tuesday 01.01.2019, fireworks rent the air from Unoa grounds, Wote, to usher in the new year 2019 and bring down the curtains on the year 2018.
At hand to witness this showpiece were more than 5,000 residents of Makueni led by governor Kivutha Kibwana, MPs Daniel Maanzo (Makueni), Erastus Kivasu (Mbooni) and Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti) and speaker Douglas Mbilu.
At exactly 23:58 pm on 31st December 2018, every activity came to a standstill while governor Kibwana led the residents to a count down of the ticking seconds to the new year, culminating to a blast of fireworks at the strike of midnight and crossing to the new year.
The sky above momentarily turned to a constellation as excited onlookers fixated their eyes to it to enjoy the unprecedented thrill.
The fireworks display was preceded by gospel music performances by renown and upcoming artists among them 10-year-old Shukrani Waeni, a resident of Wote.
The fireworks sensation was immediately followed by hugs, hi5s and frenzied dancing as the artists took the stage for live performances.
Some of the artists who graced the occasion include among others Mercy Masika, Stephen Kasolo, Wilberforce Musyoka, Janet Otieno, Purity Kateiko and Victor Mbuvi of the Kwata Kawaya fame.
The clergy, led by ABC Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki and Bishop Titus Masika led the congregation in an interdenominational prayers for the county’s prosperity in the year 2019.
On his twitter handle, governor Kibwana exclaimed, “What a moment! I’m extremely excited to usher in the new year 2019 in praise and prayer with fellow county residents at Wote. 2019 is a year full of hope for all of us.”
He told the residents to continue working hard and to protect the good name of the county which has been earned through visible development milestones, a result of combined efforts by the leadership and the residents.
Kibwana pledged to steer the county to even higher development heights through a united leadership.
The event, dubbed #SifaBlast, was organised by the County government in partnership with gospel artist Mercy Masika Foundation.
Makueni-USAID sign Partnership Agreement
Makueni on Thursday became the first out of the eight Prosper Counties to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to operationalize a US-Kenya trade agreement.
Prosper Counties comprises eight counties selected to participate in a U.S- Kenya trade agreement seeking to partner with counties and the private sector to advance Kenya’s journey to self-reliance by contributing to job creation, improving economic growth, and expanding tax revenues in Kenya’s secondary cities and rural areas.
The eight are Makueni, Kakamega, Nakuru, Mombasa, Kisumu, Isiolo, Kisii and Kiambu and were selected based on high economic potential, effective governance practices (Makueni), and commitment to create an enabling business environment.
According to Mark Meassick, USAID Mission Director in Kenya who signed on behalf of the agency, USAID will utilize its networks to support workforce development, policy formulation and select public investments in key sectors including agribusiness, tourism, manufacturing, technology, finance and health in the county.
Under the Prosper Counties initiative, unveiled by President Uhuru Kenyatta on 30th October 2019 under the US Prosper Africa Presidential Initiative, the US government aims to leverage its expertise and relationships to support county level private sector solutions by investing in Business-to-Business relationships.
Governor Kibwana who signed the MoU on behalf of Makueni county government reiterated his commitment towards implementation of this partnership.
He said his administration will move with speed to ensure a legislation in the county assembly is passed for sustainability and ensure availability of funds where co-funding of projects is required.