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MAKUENI WOMEN GROUP GOAT PROJECT WINS BIG AT NAIROBI TRADE FAIR.

Utheu wa Aka Self-Help Group was started in 1998 in Kikumbulyu South by 22 women, mostly widows, with a simple idea—pooling just Ksh 5 weekly to support each other.

What began as a merry-go-round to buy kitchenware, household items and even build homes for vulnerable members soon grew into something bigger.

Before devolution, the group received a grant of Ksh 120,000 from the Njaa Marufuku Kenya initiative.

Instead of spending the money at once, they wisely invested in dairy goats to fight famine and provide their families with nutritious milk.

With guidance from county livestock extension officers, they later adopted Toggenburg goat farming, which soon caught the eye of agricultural experts in the county.

Their goats earned recognition and were presented at the Makueni Agricultural Show, where they won top awards for three consecutive years.

Inspired by their success, the group advanced to the Nairobi International Trade Fair in 2022, winning trophies for champion male and female meat goats.

While visiting their stand at this year’s International Trade Fair, County Assembly Speaker Mbilu Douglas and the Agriculture Sectoral Committee commended the group for their remarkable success in scooping two champion trophies and 26 awards.

Beyond trophies, goat farming has become a steady source of income, transforming livelihoods and aligning with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr ’s vision to empower women and youth.

Additionally, as a result of sustaining excellent performance, two members of the group have earned a slot in officiating at the international trade fair’s goat section.

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 WINS PRAISE FOR CLEAN AUDIT DURING CIDP REVIEW.

The GIZ Regional Advisor Maurice Owaka, has applauded Makueni County for demonstrating strong governance and accountability, attributes that earned the county recognition from the Office of the Auditor -General through a clean audit report in the last financial year.

Owaka commended the county for the achievement, underscoring the importance of the ongoing mid term review in assessing development progress and generating recommendations aimed at improving the implementation of the county Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) for the remaining period.

He spoke while addressing sector Working groups currently undertaking the mid term review for the (CIDP 111) covering the period between 2023 and 2027.

County Treasury CECM Damaris Kavoi urged the team to sustain the momentum, emphasizing that performance management and the CIDP are closely linked. She noted that the CIDP serves as the county’s main development blueprint, while performance management measures whether departments are delivering on the commitments outlined in the plan.

Kavoi said the ongoing review exercise provides Makueni County with an opportunity to assess not only completed projects, but also the effectiveness of performance contracting, monitoring systems, accountability structures and overall service delivery outcomes across departments.

The exercise is being supported by GIZ, with the aim of enhancing service delivery and promoting transparency in governance.

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.