News

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.

MAKUENI, USAID SIGN KSH.1BILLION JOINT WORK PLAN

Makueni county has inked a joint work plan worth KSh.1 Billion with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to stimulate the growth of the local economy for the 2022/23 financial year.

The partnership was signed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and USAID Mission Director in Kenya David Gosney on Wednesday in Wote.

Some of the key activities identified for collaborative implementation are:

Provision of nutrition commodities to support treatment of moderate acute malnutrition for the under-fives and pregnant and lactating women , strengthening of Community Health Strategy using Community Health Volunteers (Heath and Nutrition); strengthening child protection committees and operationalization of Makueni Development and Rescue Centre, strengthening integrated GBV prevention and management ( Social Protection); and increase Public Participation on budgeting process as well as conduct civic education in the county ( public participation).

Others are promoting the development of cottage industries, supporting manufacturing-related innovations, promoting and registration of cooperative societies, strengthening institutional capacities in the cooperative movement (Trade and Cooperatives Development); launching tourism circuits in Makueni, documentation and digitization of indigenous knowledge (Tourism and cultural development); and Crop, Livestock Pests and Disease Control and agricultural Extension Programme ( Agriculture).

MAKUENI URGES BODABODA RIDERS TO JOIN SACCOS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

The County Government of Makueni has urged bodaboda operators to join registered Saccos to strengthen their businesses, access affordable credit and benefit from county empowerment programmes.

Speaking during the commissioning of the Ema Bodaboda Energies Fuel Station in Emali, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said organized groups stand a better chance of accessing the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), where eligible Saccos can obtain loans of KSh 50,000 and above to expand their investments.

Eng. Kyoni commended the bodaboda fraternity for establishing the fuel station, noting that the venture will diversify their income, strengthen their financial stability and improve livelihoods.

The initiative, spearheaded by James Kimanthi Mbaluka and the Emali bodaboda fraternity, is expected to create new economic opportunities for riders while supporting the wider Emali community

MAKUENI UNVEILS COSTED 10-YEAR GREEN ENERGY PLAN

Makueni has unveiled a 10-year Ksh 74B green energy plan touted as the solution to the county’s sustainable, and affordable energy requirements set to transform its economic landscape.

The Energy Plan, developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom Government, Strathmore Energy Centre and the World Resources Institute is a strategic blueprint designed to guide the development and implementation of energy systems and policies in the county, aiming to ensure sustainable, reliable and affordable energy for her residents and businesses.

The plan was launched on Tuesday in Wote by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Ed Barnett, National Oil Corporation Chief Executive Officer Gideon Leparan Morintat among other local leaders.

Governor Mutula outlined his vision for a Makueni powered by clean, sustainable, and affordable energy aiming for complete electrification, extended business hours and improved clean-cooking solutions.

A notable step towards green energy in the county includes a Ksh. 30 million investment in a solar PV system at Makueni County Referral Hospital, expected to save Ksh. 7 million in energy costs annually.

Other notable leaders who graced the event are Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Strathmore University Energy Centre Director Dr. Churchill Saoke, World Resource Institute country representative George Mwaniki, county officials, local clean energy advocates and other energy sector stakeholders.

MAKUENI UNVEILS CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE INITIATIVES AT MAKINDU TRADE FAIR

Makueni County has reaffirmed its commitment to climate-smart agriculture as a key pillar for food security and economic growth.

The pledge was made on Friday during the official opening of the Makueni Agriculture Ambitions and Trade Fair at Makindu Showground, presided over by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.

Mulili outlined the county’s strategy under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s administration, which prioritizes the adoption of resilient technologies and practices such as drought-tolerant crops, water harvesting, conservation agriculture, and digital advisory services for farmers.

As part of its efforts, the county is partnering with the national government through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The project supports the application of technologies, innovations, and modern management practices across key agricultural value chains including dairy, poultry, beekeeping, mango, and tomato farming.

She highlighted how the program is enabling farmers to embrace modern, climate-resilient techniques, ranging from improved livestock breeds and disease management to post-harvest handling and market access through digital platforms.

To further consolidate these gains, the county has revamped its extension services to adopt a farmer-centered, proactive model.

Mulili also announced the rollout of a Financially Led Climate Action initiative, which equips farmers with practical knowledge and skills to implement climate-resilient practices tailored to their specific local conditions.

In a major boost to the region’s agri-processing capacity, the DG revealed that the Makindu grain processing plant is now operational and ready to handle pulses.

The facility aims to reduce post-harvest losses, promote value addition, and produce market-ready products for both domestic and export markets.

During the event, Lower Eastern ASK Chairperson Lawrence Matolo stated that discussions are underway to formally include the Makindu show in the Agricultural Society of Kenya’s annual calendar.

The event was also attended by County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, several Members of County Assembly, and senior county officials.

MAKUENI UNVEILS AGROECOLOGY POLICY TO CHAMPION SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Makueni County on Friday took a major step toward sustainable agriculture with the official launch of the Makueni Agroecology Policy in Wote, presided over by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili.

The new policy provides a framework to guide farmers in producing food sustainably while protecting the environment, conserving soil and water, and reducing dependence on expensive chemical inputs.

Agroecology, a farming approach that harmonizes with nature, emphasizes healthy soils, environmental conservation, and improved food and nutrition security through the use of locally available resources.

Mulili emphasized that the county’s future lies in responsible land stewardship, noting that the policy secures livelihoods today while safeguarding future harvests.

The launch, which brought together development partners, county officials, and farmers highlighted Makueni’s commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture and ensuring a resilient, food-secure future for its residents.

The event was also attended by Agriculture CECM Liz Muli and Members of County Assembly drawn from Agriculture Committee led by Francis Mutuku.