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MAKUENI’S SCENIC HILLS ON THE SPOTLIGHT AT MAGICAL KENYA EXPO 2025

Makueni County is blessed with breathtaking hills that rise gracefully over the landscape, offering therapeutic nature walks, fresh air and unforgettable adventure.

From the iconic Nzaui Hill, the lush Chyullu ranges, the legendary Mbui Nzu Hill, to the tranquil Mbooni and Makuli hills, the county boasts secure and serene hiking destinations for both domestic and international explorers.

These natural treasures not only provide scenic beauty but also peace of mind, making them perfect escapes for adventurers and wellness seekers.

At the MagicalKenya Expo 2025, Makueni’s Tourism Directorate is marketing these attractions to the world, highlighting efforts to brand the county as a top travel destination.

Through tourism marketing, residents benefit economically when visitors explore, stay and transact business in the county, turning natural beauty into shared prosperity.

MAKUENI’S PROXIMIE HEALTH INNOVATION DRAWS GLOBAL ATTENTION

Makueni County’s pioneering adoption of Proximie technology is attracting global attention, with international teams visiting the county to experience firsthand its transformation of public healthcare.

Speaking on Thursday during an interview set to feature at an international film festival, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. said Proximie has revolutionized surgical care by improving efficiency, easing the workload of health workers, and creating continuous learning opportunities for local medical teams.

He said his administration is committed to running a human-centered government that prioritizes the welfare of both citizens and healthcare workers by reducing workplace frustrations through modern technological support.

Proximie allows remote specialists to virtually “scrub in” during surgeries, offering real-time guidance through augmented reality. County officials say the technology has reduced patient referrals to Nairobi, lowered healthcare costs, and improved access to timely specialist care.

The platform was lauded for enabling strengthened skills transfer, enabling local clinicians to treat patients effectively while building local capacity.

Makueni is the first county in Africa to integrate the technology into its health system, positioning it as a benchmark for digital healthcare innovation in Kenya and beyond.

MAKUENI’S NEW ENERGY POLICY LIGHTS THE WAY FOR CLEAN, RELIABLE ACCESS

Makueni County has launched an ambitious new energy policy that aims to deliver clean, affordable, and reliable power to homes, schools, health centers, and business across its six sub-counties, cementing its place as a national leader in Kenya’s green energy transition.

Unveiled Tuesday in Wote by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the Energy Policy 2025 builds on a string of successful projects, including 44 solar installations, expanded electricity grid access, and the county’s first clean cooking pilot.

The policy follows the Makueni County Energy Plan 2023–2032, already delivering impact across health, water, agriculture, trade, and gender sectors. In FY 2024/25 alone, the county invested KES 99.38 million in solar energy.

Over 60 market centers have been fitted with solar streetlights, while five towns now boast high-mast floodlights, which has enhanced security and extended trading hours.

The new policy was developed in collaboration with UK PACT, Strathmore University, World Resources Institute, and Just Energy Transition Africa.

The British High Commission to Kenya, through representative Dan Wilcox, called Makueni’s efforts “trailblazing.” Prof. Izael Da Silva of Strathmore University urged the national government to follow suit, calling energy access a driver of GDP growth.

Dr. Rebekah Shirley of the World Resources Institute praised Makueni for crafting energy solutions tailored to local needs.

MAKUENI’S INNOVATION TRIUMPHS AT #HACKAGREENFUTURE HACKATHON

Makueni’s Mkulima Link team emerged as the overall winner of the #HackAGreenFuture Hackathon held at Konza Technopolis, achieving a top score of 73.67% in their county challenge. Makueni also claimed the second position with the AgroLink team, while Machakos’ Recycle Route Group secured third place with over 70%, and Kajiado’s Osiligi team scored 66%.

Out of 550 applicants, 40 innovators were shortlisted to develop innovative solutions addressing key challenges: waste recycling in Machakos, market access in Makueni, and invasive weed control in Kajiado.

The event was attended by CECM ICT, Education and Internship, Japheth Mangoka, CECM in charge of Youth Engagement, Kyoni, Chief Officer Irene Makau, and Director of Youth, Bonface Mutinga, among others.

Konza Technopolis CEO, John Paul Okwiri, said the winning teams will now enter the post-hackathon phase and pledged continued support for the young innovators.

MAKUENI’S GRADING AND GRAVELLING PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY

To strengthen connectivity and drive local economic growth, the Directorate of Infrastructure and Roads in Makueni County is diligently working to enhance access and mobility across multiple wards.

One of the key projects underway is the transformation of Mutulani- Ngangani road in Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward, a stretch that has until now been only a footpath, navigable by bicycles and motorbikes. Through extensive grading, this path is being turned into a fully accessible road, opening it up for vehicle passage and making it significantly easier for farmers to transport their produce to market. Grading works are also ongoing to open up Kwa Vutu-Yumbani road in Mbitini Ward.

The county machinery is also on site at the bustling Machinery Market in Thange Ward, which springs to life every Tuesday with hundreds of traders and customers. Gravelling efforts are in full swing to make market days smoother and more comfortable for everyone. The improved road surface around the market will enable easier access for vehicles, reduce dust and mud and create a safer, more inviting environment for trade.

These road works are part of a larger commitment by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr administration to create a resilient, accessible and prosperous Makueni, where better roads mean stronger communities and a brighter future for local agriculture and trade.

MAKUENI’S FIGHT AGAINST MATERNAL DEATHS EARNS GLOBAL RECOGNITION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Sunday addressed the World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics in Cape Town, South Africa, where he showcased Makueni County’s incredible strides in combating postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Makueni is the first county in Kenya to adopt the use of heat-stable carbetocin, a uterotonic drug that prevents PPH, through a partnership with Jhpiego since 2023.

Unlike oxytocin, which requires refrigeration to remain effective, heat-stable carbetocin retains its potency even in high temperatures, making it ideal for rural healthcare settings.

Thanks to this innovation, the county recorded zero maternal deaths from PPH in 2023 and 2024. Governor Mutula’s administration has further strengthened this effort by procuring calibrated drapes to accurately measure blood loss during delivery, replacing unreliable visual estimations.

In recognition of his efforts, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. was declared a global champion in the fight against maternal deaths caused by postpartum hemorrhage.

He is accompanied by Chief Officer Health Dr. Harvey Mulei and Ag. Director preventive and Promotive Dr. Stephen Mwatha.

Makueni’s Efforts to Power Small and Midsize Enterprises among the Marginalized Groups.

A big problem in the current agricultural sector in the country are high prices for animal/chicken feeds due to high protein prices.
 
The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development in partnership with Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme Phase Two (ASDSP II) has supported innovative ideas with prospects to women and youth in the priority value chains namely; indigenous chicken, mango and green grams.
Edwin Sila of Nguu-Masumba Ward is one of the beneficiaries of such ASDSP II-funded innovations. He now uses Black Soldier Fly Production and Harvesting unit (BSF), to produce protein-rich feed without having to buy expensive indigenous chicken feed.
 
The usage of the black soldier flies larvae as feed would decrease the cost of chicken feed for farmers and can lead to a more food-secure economy.
In the mango value chain, the Makueni County Fruit Processors Cooperative Society Limited, from Wote-Nziu Ward has also received mango de-sapping pallets to improve the quality of the produce for export.
 
The two innovations were commissioned on Wednesday by Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo accompanied by ASDSP II Coordinator Regina Maingi.

MAKUENI’S DEPARTMENT OF ICT, EDUCATION AND INTERNSHIP, HAS UNVEILED ITS STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2027.

The Plan serves as a comprehensive roadmap, highlighting the trajectory of Makueni County’s transformative endeavors, propelled by technology and education.

The plans has harmonized objectives of the government’s key policies, including Makueni Vision 2025 and the County Integrated Development Plan III 2023 – 2027.

This Plan outlines the docket’s Strategic Vision for Technology Advancement which seeks to intensify the county’s digital landscape and harness technology in the department mandate.

The Plan was unveiled by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr during the award of ECDE caregivers Permanent and Pensionable confirmation letters in Wote, Monday.

Makuenis’ Botanical Garden tops in the Exhibition Category at the KMCF

Kee Botanical Garden from Kaiti Sub- County has emerged position one in the Exhibitions Category in the National Kenya Music and Cultural Festival (KMCF) taking place in Kitui County.
The exhibition curated by Mike Mwendwa, who is also the founder and director of the garden, scored 90% , one of the highest marks ever scored by an exhibitor at the festival.
The adjudicators commended the botanical garden for a well curated exhibition and presentation of a wide variety of live traditional medicinal plants and products.
The exhibition stand attracted many participants in the festival and other visitors were curious to learn about the live traditional medicinal plants and products.
Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Peninah Malonza and her Director of culture are among the prominent personalities who visited the exhibition and held long discussions with the exhibitor.

MAKUENI’S AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS STEAL THE SHOW AT AFRICA FERTILIZER SUMMIT 2024

May 9, 2024

The Makueni booth at the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health Summit 2024 was a huge success, attracting over 1000 delegates from across Africa who convened at the KICC in Nairobi. 

The summit, themed “Listen to the Land,” brought together over 2000 delegates from across Africa to discuss fertilizer and soil health solutions for better agriculture. 

Makueni showcased a range of technologies for fertilizer and soil health solutions including push and pull, which entails use of legumes to repel pests, organic and inorganic fertilizers, and  use of GIS in natural resource management.

Makueni, supported by  Kenya Cereals Enhancement Programme-Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods (KCEP-CRAL), conducted  soil analyses for over 16,000 farmers, guiding them on crop choices.

KCEP-CRAL facilitated the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices among farmers, such as deep tillage, and provided essential farm inputs like certified seeds,  hermetic bags and tarpaulins, through the e-voucher system

 Agriculture ExecutiveJoyce Mutua led the county’s delegation in the three-day summit, which concluded with  official closing by President William Ruto on Thursday.