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MAKUENI’S SPORTS COUNCILS PRAISED FOR DRIVING SPORTS GROWTH

The MKJ Supa Cup Tournament 2025 which concluded on Sunday 30th has been celebrated as one of the most well-organized sporting events, marked by exceptional discipline and a high level of talent display.

The finals, held at Unoa Grounds in Wote Town drew thousands of enthusiastic fans and local leaders, who commended Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration for the seamless planning and execution of the tournament.

Governor Mutula credited the success to the Ward Sports Councils, which have played a crucial role in managing sports at the grassroots level. He emphasized that these councils are instrumental in talent identification, securing funding for sports development, and ensuring that athletics receive the same priority as other key sectors.

“Thanks to these councils, Makueni is steadily emerging as a sporting powerhouse. Soon, it will be the go-to destination for national clubs scouting for talented athletes,” said Mutula.

To further boost sports development, the county government is accelerating the construction of modern sports infrastructure, including training pitches, to provide aspiring athletes with professional facilities. Additionally, the Department of Sports is collaborating with national sports federations to enhance the skills of local coaches and referees through capacity-building programs.

After the finals, an all-star team in each of the six disciplines (football, volleyball, basketball 5×5, basketball 3×3, beach handball and beach volleyball) has been assembled to represent Makueni at the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association Games (KYISA) in Homa Bay slated for 13th -19th April.

MAKUENI’S SOLAR REVOLUTION SHINES BRIGHT AT DAY 3 OF DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE

Makueni County is once again in the national spotlight, hailed as a model for renewable energy success following the impressive strides it has made in solarization.

Speaking during a side event at the ongoing Devolution Conference, Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo singled out Makueni’s solar project at the County Referral Hospital as a shining example for other counties to follow.

He lauded the initiative for not only reducing electricity costs but also freeing up funds to support other hospital services urging other counties to emulate.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who was a panelist in a session on Accelerating Climate-Compatible Planning in Kenya, shared Makueni’s vision of taking solarization a step further.

She expressed optimism that with increased capacity, Makueni could one day sell excess power to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and other partners, taking advantage of the county’s abundant sunshine as a semi-arid region.

In partnership with UK PACT and the World Resources Institute (WRI), Makueni has developed a County Energy Plan (2023–2032), rolled out community training on the productive use of renewable energy, and is preparing to launch a forward-looking energy policy.

In the 2023/2024 financial year, the county also introduced an expansive green energy programme aimed at cutting energy costs, boosting economic productivity, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting environmental conservation.

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 SAND DAMS: WHERE CONSERVATION MEETS COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION

As the world continues to celebrate progress in environmental conservation and strengthen efforts to reverse environmental degradation, Makueni County is steadily reaping the benefits of strategic river ecosystem restoration spearheaded by the Makueni County Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority.

Established in 2015 to regulate the previously uncontrolled sand harvesting that had severely degraded river ecosystems and, in some cases, led to loss of lives among environmental advocates, the Authority has made significant strides in restoring and protecting the county’s natural resources.

To date, the Authority has constructed 26 sand dams across 13 wards, transforming degraded riverbeds into productive ecosystems. Beyond the Authority’s interventions, Makueni County, in collaboration with development partners, has constructed over 1,000 sand dams, significantly improving water availability, supporting irrigation, accelerating environmental restoration and strengthening climate resilience.

According to the Authority’s Managing Director, Ndambuki Kioko, the success of the initiative underscores the importance of community-driven and policy-supported environmental conservation efforts in building climate resilience, enhancing livelihoods, and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.

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 PEOPLE-CENTERED FLLoCA MODEL EARNS EACC PRAISE FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY

County officials involved in the implementation of the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, funded among others by the World Bank, have undergone a compliance capacity-building training led by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in partnership with the National Treasury.

The EACC team commended Makueni for its open governance and people-centred development model, which gives residents control over projects through public oversight. According to Dr. Susan Kinyeki, a Deputy Director at EACC, the approach has earned the county a high compliance rating in the Annual Performance Assessment of FLLoCA-funded projects, where Makueni scored 98 percent in the 2023/2024 assessment.

Dr. Kinyeki noted that Makueni’s governance model has significantly sealed corruption loopholes by enhancing transparency, accountability and citizen participation, thereby ensuring residents get value for money from climate investments.

She added that the training seeks to strengthen institutional accountability and enhance public oversight within the County Climate Change Fund mechanism.

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.