News

MAKUENI RALLIES BEHIND GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO END POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE

Makueni County joined the rest of the world in commemorating World PPH Run Day, raising awareness about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) — a leading cause of maternal deaths, responsible for nearly 50% of such fatalities globally.

Health professionals, local residents, and advocacy partners gathered in Wote for the awareness run under the global theme “Run for Her”, emphasizing the urgency of preventing PPH through early intervention and community education.

Leading the event, Martha Munyao, CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, called on expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and ensure hospital deliveries.

Munyao also praised the efforts of Jhpiego and other health partners for their pivotal role in combatting PPH, especially through the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a tablet proven to significantly reduce blood loss after childbirth and potentially eliminate PPH-related deaths.

Teresia Maweu, Reproductive Health Coordinator, encouraged the public to support the cause by donating blood, a life-saving resource in managing severe blood loss during and after delivery.

MAKUENI PURSUES PEACEFUL OUT-OF-COURT LAND RESOLUTIONS

Makueni County, through the Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Development, has kicked off plans to establish Alternative Justice System (AJS) structures to handle land disputes outside the courtroom.

In partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Digital Land Governance Programme, the department has concluded a two-day sensitization workshop for key stakeholders in the land sector.

The training brought together Sub-county development planning committees, land surveyors, county coordinator, national land commission, county land registry and land adjudicators as well as representatives from municipalities to deepen their understanding of the role of AJS in resolving land conflicts and unlocking resource potentials.

Participants were taken through Kenya’s AJS policy framework, its application within the county, and the use of the Land Information Management System.

The main goal of the training is to establish and strengthen AJS structures that can help resolve boundary disputes, land and resource conflicts, succession matters, and other cases more efficiently and peacefully.

MAKUENI PRESENTS 342 PARTICIPANTS AT THE 97th KENYA MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS.

The 97th edition of the Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals was officially launched on Tuesday at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic in Voi, marking the start of a thrilling ten-day celebration of Kenya’s vibrant artistic and cultural heritage.

The event, which was graced by Taita Taveta Deputy Governor H.E. Christine Saru Kilalo, promises a rich array of performances, including music choirs, drama, spoken word, narratives and cultural exhibitions drawn from all over the country.

During the opening ceremony, Kilalo warmly welcomed participants and visitors to Taita Taveta, urging the competitors to celebrate the nation’s diverse cultures through their performances.

Makueni County made a notable contribution to the festival with 342 participants led the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism by Dr. Sonia Nzilani,

Dr. Nzilani expressed confidence in Makueni’s strong performance, highlighting the county’s continued commitment to nurturing and developing its arts, music and cultural sectors.

The launch ceremony also featured a spirited and electrifying modern dance performance by Wote Technical Training Institute, which had previously taken first place in 96th edition of KMCF held in Makueni.

The ceremony was attended by KMCF Chairperson Prof. Emily Akuno, Kenya Cultural Centre Chief Executive Officer Michael Pundo, Makueni’s Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani among other national and county government officials.

MAKUENI PREPARES FOR E-VOUCHER FMD VACCINATION ROLLOUT

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock on Thursday concluded a two-day training on the e-voucher Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination model, ahead of its rollout in the county.

The training brought together 40 Veterinary Surgeons(VS) and Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs), alongside representatives from 13 Farmer Producer Organizations (VPOs) where participants were equipped with skills to implement the digital vaccination system smoothly.

Speaking during the closure of the training, CECM for Agriculture and Livestock, Liz Muli, urged Farmer Producer Organization leaders to take the lead in mobilizing farmers to embrace the new system.

She further noted that the digital approach will improve efficiency, transparency and disease control across the county, adding that strong collaboration between service providers and farmer groups is key to protecting livestock and improving productivity in Makueni.

During the registration exercise, farmers will be enrolled on the Mifugo 360 app using their national ID numbers and mobile phone contacts.

Upon successful registration, each farmer will receive an e-voucher worth KSh 50 per cow, issued according to the number of animals presented for vaccination.

The vaccination will be carried out through 13 cooperatives across the county, with farmers registering their livestock online at the nearest cooperative.

MAKUENI POISED FOR MAJOR ECONOMIC BOOST AS NAIROBI-MOMBASA EXPRESSWAY PROJECT TAKES SHAPE

Makueni County is set to reap huge benefits from the proposed Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, an infrastructure project expected to cost KSh 455 billion.

The 444-kilometre modern highway will pass through 110 kilometres of Makueni, positioning the county as a key beneficiary of the development.

Once complete, the expressway will drastically cut travel time between Nairobi and Mombasa to just five hours, offering a faster, safer, and more sustainable transport corridor.

The project is expected to unlock massive economic potential along its route.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, a representative of the company organising the project’s funding, Evergreen Capital Kyle McCarter, revealed that the expressway blueprint includes the establishment of three new cities.

The expressway which features 12 highway exits, eight rest areas, and three wildlife crossings, will take 4 years to construct.

Stakeholder engagement remains a priority, with plans to involve county governments, landowners, and other affected parties to ensure smooth implementation, fair compensation, and conflict-free development.

MAKUENI PLANS TO INTRODUCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN TB DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Makueni’s department of health services has partnered with Centre for International Health, Education, and Biodiversity (CIHEB) Kenya to roll out use of Artificial Intelligence in Tuberculosis diagnostics.

The first phase will be rolled out in Makueni County Referral Hospital and Makindu Sub-county Hospital. The disease burden is highest in Makueni and Kibwezi West Subcounties.

Integration of AI technology aims to facilitate early detection and management through Tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili who led Makueni in marking the World TB Day at KMTC grounds in Wote, said Makueni has enough drug stocks to combat TB and urged residents to come out in large numbers for screening and treatment if found positive.

Statistics show that 92 percent of those diagnosed with TB in Makueni in 2023 are now free of the disease following consistent treatment and management.

Makueni pens deal with UN-Habitat for sustainable development partnership

Makueni County on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UN-Habitat to collaborate in different development projects in the county.

The MoU, signed by governor Kivutha Kibwana and UN-Habitat Executive Director Maimunah Sharif seeks to:-

Improve county planning practices;
Enhance production and use of appropriate materials for decent housing;
Develop a Green Energy Strategy with an action plan;
Develop a plan for sustainable solid waste management;
Strengthen revenue enhancement capacity and Local Economic Development (LED) and
Empower youth development.

The deal, according to governor Kibwana, will help achieve better quality of life for the people of Makueni with hope that it will open opportunities for partnerships with other UN bodies.

“We are excited about this deal. When we began negotiations last year, we had a list of many things but slowly it has been easy. We hope this is an opening for more partnerships with other UN bodies,” Kibwana said.

Sharif acknowledged the county for its efforts towards achieving the big four agenda in the country citing her happiness to see the signing of deal come true.

She said: ” I acknowledge the contribution of Makueni towards realising of the big four agenda in the country. I’m happy to see this come true today.”

Present to witness the signing of the agreement were deputy governor Adelina Mwau and other top county government officials.

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Makueni Pens Deal with Heifer International to fight hunger

Makueni County has inked a three-year partnership deal with Heifer International, a United States non-profit Corporation with presence in Kenya, to fight hunger and poverty in the county.

The deal aims at creating a framework for joint agricultural value chains development with key focus on dairy, poultry and beef value chains.

According to Heifer International Country Director George Odhiambo, the partnership will seek to leverage on modern methods of livestock development geared towards increased farmer incomes.

Some of the specific areas of partnerships include Research; Farmer trainings and capacity building; Linkage with financial services; Facilitating access to appropriate Technologies; Facilitating access to markets and Collecting, analyzing and monitoring data for decision making.

The two entities will also utilize the local field extension systems to build the capacity of producer organizations and farmers to effectively integrate all factors of crop and animal production which includes breeding, water access, feeds, milk quality, animal health, farmer training and access to financing.

Governor Kivutha Kibwana who signed the MoU on behalf of the County government said it will assist in technology transfer through the county borrowing from Heifer’s Values Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) model.

He said the deal will go a long way in creating jobs for youths, women while improving rural economies.

Agriculture ECM Lawrence Nzunga who witnessed the signing said the county is in the process of establishing a poultry abattoir at Kitise and the partnership will enable its successful roll out and sustainability.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH WOMEN ENGAGED IN DEVELOPMENT TO TRAIN BODABODA OPERATORS ON MATERNAL HEALTH

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday joined Prof.Ann Kihara, Executive Director for Women Engaged in development to roll out an innovative program targeting bodaboda operators as key players in maternal healthcare under the Okoa na Mtoto Initiative.

The launch, held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, brought together bodaboda representatives who were trained as trainers of trainers on maternal, newborn, and adolescent health.

They will cascade this knowledge to their peers across the county to ensure safer pregnancies and deliveries.

Prof. Ann Kihara noted that expectant women in rural areas often rely on bodabodas as the most accessible and affordable means of transport during emergencies.

She emphasized that training riders would strengthen their role in supporting timely maternal healthcare.

Her program aims to, within two years, cut maternal deaths reported in health facilities by 30 percent, achieve 80 percent timely emergency transfers, and enroll at least 40 percent of active riders into an accredited emergency transport network.

Governor Mutula urged bodaboda leaders to sensitize their members, stressing that their involvement is vital in reducing preventable maternal and child mortality in Makueni.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH PATH TO BOOST OXYGEN PLANT MAINTENANCE SKILLS

The Makueni Department of Health Services has collaborated with PATH to enhance the skills of biomedical engineering technologists across the county hospitals in operating and maintaining Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology.

This five-day intensive training program emphasizes the critical importance of occupational health and safety in oxygen plant setups.

It also equips participants with essential skills in operating and maintaining oxygen plants, including troubleshooting and repair procedures.

This initiative is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure the reliability of life-saving oxygen supply systems.