Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

MAKUENI TRIUMPHS AGAIN AT KENYA MUSIC FESTIVALS – DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS.

Makueni County’s Vocational Training Centres continued to make a strong impression at the ongoing Kenya Music Festivals in Meru County as Day 5 unfolded at Meru School.

Kyanduya VTC took the spotlight as Gregory Uhuru scooped position 1 out of 14 participants in the African Instrumentals category — a remarkable achievement that showcased musical mastery.

Mukatini VTC and Nduluku VTC also brought glory home, each securing position 1 in the Kamba Folk Song and Sacred Own Composition Song categories respectively.

Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre (MIVEC) earned position 6 in the Choral Verse category, adding to the county’s growing list of national achievements.

Also representing Makueni County today were Ukia VTC and Nziu VTC, with strong performances that upheld the spirit and talent of the region.

SENATE COMMITTEE APPLAUDS MAKUENI COUNTY’S EDUCATION SECTOR PROGRESS.

The Senate Education Committee has commended Makueni County for its notable strides in implementing Early Childhood Development (ECD) and Vocational Training Centre (VTC) programs.

Led by Committee Chair Senator Betty Montet, the delegation visited the county on Friday to assess the progress in education infrastructure and service delivery. Speaking when they paid a courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the committee praised Makueni for operationalizing 61 VTCs and building 384 well-equipped ECD classrooms since 2014. These efforts have positively impacted over 39,000 learners, who now enjoy improved learning environments compared to the previously dilapidated facilities — a sentiment echoed by Senator Daniel Maanzo.

Governor Mutula welcomed the Senate’s audit and emphasized the need for the national government to provide conditional grants to bolster county education systems, citing limited resources and competing priorities.

Other officials present included Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Senate Committee Vice Chair Prof. Margaret Kamar, and Senators Nderitu Kinyua (Laikipia), James Murango (Kirinyaga), and Johnes Mwaruma (Taita Taveta), alongside CECM for Education Japheth Mang’oka and CECM Finance, Damaris Kavoi.

FIRST LADY VISITS SULTAN HAMUD HOSPITAL TO REVIEW MATERNITY WING PROGRESS

Makueni County First Lady, Anita Mutula on Thursday visited Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital to inspect ongoing construction of a new maternity wing aimed at expanding access to maternal healthcare.

The maternity facility has a 50-bed capacity, designed to address the rising number of deliveries at the hospital, which have surged to 180–190 mothers per month. The project is a partnership between Safaricom and the County Government of Makueni, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the quality of healthcare services for residents of Makueni and neighbouring counties.

The maternity wing is being developed at a total cost of Ksh 60 million, with Ksh 45 million allocated for construction and Ksh 15 million set aside for medical equipment. The facility is expected to be fully equipped and operational by November 2025.

The First Lady also toured other sections of the hospital to check on service delivery and patient care. Her visit coincided with the delivery of a new drug consignment, part of a wider county-wide initiative that has seen 17 major hospitals across Makueni receive fresh medical supplies to enhance service provision.

She was accompanied by Health Chief Officer Health, Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chairman of the Hospital Board of Management, Major Leonard Kasyoka, Kasikeu Ward MCA Reuben Kavai, and other local leaders.

KATHONZWENI, KYANDUYA VTCS SCOOP TOP POSITIONS IN SOLO PERFORMANCES.

Makueni’s Vocational Training Centres lit up the stage at Meru School on Day 4 of the Kenya Music Festivals, with breathtaking solo performances that left a mark on the national stage. Representing the Eastern region, our stars didn’t just sing — they conquered!

Patricia Mbithe from Kathonzweni VTC and Teresia Maluni from Kyanduya VTC scooped position 1 in Solo Soprano and Solo Alto respectively, performing “Early One Morning” and “All Through the Night.”

Teresia Munini from Kyanduya VTC emerged position 2 in Solo Soprano, while her counterparts from Nduluku and Kathonzweni VTCs took position 2 and 3 respectively in Solo Alto — a proud moment for Makueni County’s VTCs on the national stage.

THE MAKUENI COUNTY CABINET ON WEDNESDAY APPROVED MUTULACARE IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES.

The scheme is a County-led Universal Health Coverage (UHC) initiative that will enhance access to quality healthcare for all residents in the County while protecting vulnerable and indigent households from financial hardships due to out of pocket medical expenses.

The scheme is aligned to the national Social Health Authority (SHA) framework. All registered SHA residents will have free access to health care in all Level 1 to 3 health facilities in the County.

Mutulacare will pay for Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) for indigent and vulnerable households to enable access to health care in Level 4 to 6 hospitals. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive heathcare including inpatient and outpatient services, dental and optical care, chronic illness management and emergency treatment, including ambulance evacuations.

The scheme targets to cover over 50 per cent of Makueni residents. Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) will be deployed by the county to identify and enroll indigent and vulnerable households into the SHA and SHIF medical insurance in all the 30 Wards.

Mutulacare is financed through the Ward Fund where each Ward allocated Ksh. 3 million.

The scheme will be operated through a live portal for real-time registration to SHA and which has already been developed.

The Guidelines will now be forwarded to the County Assembly for approval.

WEE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF SCOOPS POSITION 5 IN THE ONGOING KENYA MUSIC FESTIVALS IN MERU COUNTY.

WEE School for the deaf scoops position 5 in the ongoing Kenya Music Festivals in Meru County.

The 97th Kenya Music Festival officially kicked off today at Kaaga Girls High School in Meru County, marking the beginning of a vibrant showcase of artistic talent from across the country. The national event brings together learners from ECDE to tertiary levels, all celebrating Kenya’s cultural diversity through music, dance, and drama.

WEE School for the Deaf in Makueni has already made a remarkable impression, securing position 5 in their category — a strong testament to inclusivity and creative excellence.

This year’s festival, which runs until 11th August 2025, is themed: “Enhancing the Creative Economy Through Artistic Expression for Sustainable Development.”

As performances unfold across Kaaga Girls, Meru School, and Meru TTC, the atmosphere is alive with rhythm, color, and the boundless potential of Kenya’s next generation.

The Makueni County Government team is led by Chief Officer ICT, Education and Internship, Irene Makau, alongside the Assistant Director for ECDE and other departmental officers.

GROWING HOPE AT THE MAKUENI AGRI SHOW: ONE HARVEST, ONE LIFE AT A TIME

Arabuko Limited is a company which is a leading supplier of fresh farm produce to homes, institutions and businesses, that not only helps Kenyans eat healthier, but also building a stronger, more inclusive agricultural sector.

In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, Arabuko launched the Aggregator Enhancement Program (AEP) to support young small-scale farmers and aggregators across Kenya.

With the help of county youth department, Arabuko equips youth with skills, resources and market access that drive sustainable livelihoods in agriculture.

One inspiring story shared during the Makueni Agricultural and Trade Fair is that of Felisters Katiku, a 24-year-old from Kambi Mawe. Though living with a physical disability, Felisters has become a shining example of strength and determination.

With support from Arabuko Limited and the County Government of Makueni, Felisters received training in modern farming, along with quality seedlings (kale, spinach, and managu), cone bags, farm tools and water tanks. Today, she is growing her own fresh vegetables and building a brighter future—one harvest at a time.

With hard work and the right support, Felisters turned her small vegetable garden into a success story. What started as a few seedlings has now grown into a steady source of food for her family. Even better, she sells the extra vegetables and earns some income.

Her garden is now more than just a farm; it’s a symbol of hope. Felisters’ determination is inspiring others in her community to believe that they too can grow, succeed and change their lives.

Felisters’ story is a proof that when the county government invests in its residents—especially youth and persons living with disabilities, the government unlock potential that transforms communities.

With focus on youth, similar partnerships by the county Government of Makueni County go beyond business into creating real jobs, real change and a healthier, more empowered county.

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.

ZIMBABWE APRM DELEGATION TOURS MAKUENI TO LEARN FROM KENYA’S COUNTY GOVERNANCE MODEL.

A high-level delegation from Zimbabwe’s African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is in Makueni County for a benchmarking visit aimed at drawing valuable lessons from Kenya’s progress in governance, citizen engagement, and implementation of National Plan of Action (NPoA) recommendations.

The APRM is a voluntary self-monitoring instrument established by the African Union to promote good governance and inclusive development. Through NEPAD/APRM in partnership with the Council of Governors, Kenya has domesticated the mechanism at the county level, birthing the County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM).

The CPRM serves as a powerful tool for counties to assess their governance systems and service delivery performance. It enables documentation of key milestones, identification of challenges, and sharing of best practices—fostering accountability and peer learning across counties.

Zimbabwe’s visit seeks to gather insights from Kenya’s pioneering experience in the APRM review process. Makueni, in particular, stands out as one of the 12 counties that volunteered to participate in the inaugural CPRM rollout, showcasing notable reforms and innovations in governance.

The delegation is led by Ambassador James Manzou, Chair of the National Governing Council of APRM Zimbabwe. The team is expected to gather practical knowledge and policy learnings that will inform their own national and sub-national review frameworks.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed the delegation, reaffirming the county’s commitment to continuous improvement in governance and service delivery.

Chief officer Planning, Budget and Revenue Boniface Mutua noted the county’s initiatives, such as full automation and a cashless revenue collection system, as key innovations driving transparency and efficiency in local resource mobilization.

The team also commended Makueni’s robust public participation model, which actively involves citizens in shaping development priorities and decision-making processes.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ASSENTS TO MBOONI-KEE MUNICIPALITY CHARTER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has officially assented to the Mbooni-Kee Municipality Charter, following its approval by the County Assembly. This marks a significant milestone toward the municipality’s full operationalization, including the transfer of functions, budgetary allocations, and staffing.

The new municipality will oversee key functions such as infrastructure development, solid waste management, and development control—bringing services closer to the people for improved efficiency and accessibility.

Mbooni-Kee becomes Makueni’s third municipality, after Wote and Emali-Sultan Hamud.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, CECM for Lands Paul Musila, CECM for Education Japheth Mang’oka, CECM for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, and Chief Officer for Lands Jackson Daudi on Thursday morning.