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MAKUENI SETS THE PACE IN DIGITAL HEALTH AS KILIFI BENCHMARKS ON SMART INNOVATIONS

Makueni County has continued to cement its reputation as a leader in digital health innovation, after hosting a high-level delegation from Kilifi County for a benchmarking visit focused on transformative healthcare solutions.

The team, received by Ag. Director Promotive and Preventive Dr. Stephen Mwatha on Tuesday, undertook a cross-learning mission at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, with particular interest in the implementation of Proximie,a cutting-edge technology that enables real-time transmission of surgical procedures.

Through Proximie, Makueni has redefined service delivery by allowing specialists to guide operations remotely, enhancing efficiency, facilitating skills transfer, and ultimately improving patient outcomes. The innovation has positioned the county at the forefront of smart healthcare solutions in the country.

During the visit, the delegation also examined key interventions implemented by the county, notably the solarization of the referral hospital. The initiative has significantly improved the reliability of power supply for critical services such as oxygen production, while at the same time reducing operational costs.

In the Maternal and Child Health unit, the team explored a range of integrated services tailored to meet diverse patient needs. These included youth-friendly centres, gender-based violence response services, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmes, and flexible care models designed to accommodate working patients.

The delegation further toured the maternity, newborn, and theatre units, where they observed a series of innovations shaping clinical care.

These included the use of Proximie in obstetric safe surgery, the adoption of kangaroo mother care for newborns, and the growing integration of digital solutions in routine medical practice.

The benchmarking mission brought together key stakeholders and partners, among them representatives from Safaricom Foundation, Council of Governors, Amref Health Africa, and the Proximie team.

The peer-to-peer engagement not only strengthened collaboration but also places the county as a trailblazer in digital health innovation. Amref Health Africa in KenyaCouncil of Governors-KenyaSafaricom FoundationKilifi County GovernmentGideon Maitha Mung’aro

MAKUENI SETS SIGHT ON MULTIPLE KYISA TROPHIES AS TOURNAMENT NEARS CONCLUSION

Makueni has set hopes high to scoop several of the trophies on offer at the 9th edition of Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association Games taking place in Malindi, Kilifi County.

On Thursday, our football girls knocked Nakuru 1-0 to climb to second position on 5 points in a Round Robin pool.The girls need just one more win against Kilifi to be crowned champions.

In men volleyball, Makueni progressed to the semi finals after beating Nyeri 3-2 and Siaya 3-0. They will still meet Siaya in the semi’s. The girls volleyball team is also through to semi’s after beating Nyeri 3-0 but falling 3-0 to Siaya.

Makueni basketball girls went on the rampage against Lamu in a 61-15 thriller that left the Lamu girls gasping for breath. The men basket ballers also thrashed Siaya 45-39 in one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament.

Makueni was however unsuccessful in Men football, falling 1-0 to Siaya in a quarter final clash.

MAKUENI SETS GROUND FOR STRATEGIC YOUTH PARTNERSHIP WITH PASGR RESEARCH ORGANIZATION

Makueni County has kicked off talks with the Partnership for African Social & Governance Research (PASGR) to strengthen capacity among young people and anchor youth programmes in evidence-based governance.

PASGR, a non-state organization operating in 26 African countries, builds youth resilience by aligning youth initiatives with evolving governance systems through policy formulation, impact measurement, and mentorship.

On Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni led a delegation of youth officers in a meeting with senior PASGR officials at their Nairobi offices to forge a working partnership.

The county seeks to collaborate with PASGR in developing a comprehensive youth policy, a youth empowerment strategy, and integrating gender perspectives into food systems, gender-based education, and agribusiness, marking a decisive step toward a more informed and empowered generation in Makueni.

MAKUENI SETS BENCHMARK AS GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO Jr. CALLS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE AUDIT LEADERSHIP

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., on Tuesday, delivered the keynote address at the 23rd Internal Audit Annual Seminar in Mombasa.

He shared Makueni County’s journey to earning clean audit reports, noting that it is now the only county among the 47 to attain an unqualified audit opinion for the 2024/2025 financial year.

He said this achievement affirms that strong systems, transparency, and accountability deliver real results for the people.

Under the theme “Beyond Transition: Transformation in an Evolving Landscape,” he challenged internal auditors to rise to the moment, emphasizing that their role must go beyond fault-finding to becoming strategic guardians of governance. He noted that the future demands preventing risks before they occur and embedding audit as a key driver of value and decision-making.

As governance evolves with digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and increasing public expectations, he advocated for a deliberate and intentional approach to transformation. This includes embracing data, innovation, and adaptability,even when it is uncomfortable.

He added that internal auditors deserve a seat at the decision-making table, as their insights are critical in shaping resilient and accountable institutions.

He also called for consideration of a strong legal framework to safeguard the independence and professional space of internal auditors.

He concluded by urging stakeholders to move beyond transition and deliver true transformation.

MAKUENI SET TO WELCOME KENYA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE CAMPUS

Makueni County is poised to gain significantly in agricultural education with the proposed establishment of a Kenya School of Agriculture campus at Kwa-Kathoka.

This is following a public participation meeting held on Monday by stakeholders drawn from Agricultural, Administrative, Business and Education sectors to discuss the project, which will be managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

The campus will offer diploma programs and skill-based short courses, designed specifically to meet the needs of local farmers and the regional economy.

Speaking during the forum, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Joyce Mutua emphasized the positive impact on farmers’ skills and local job opportunities that will be created upon establishment of the institution.

The Makueni campus is part of a national plan to expand agricultural education, with four additional campuses slated for Busia, Meru, Kericho, and Kilifi counties.

The meeting featured contributions from various stakeholders including Eng. Gordon Nyakiti from the Kenya School of Agriculture, Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyalo and Majority Leader Hon. Kisungi Wa Katete. They were joined by County Assembly members Hon. Francis Mutuku and Hon. Elizabeth Kawembe, all of whom voiced their strong support for the establishment of the new campus.

Makueni Set to Strengthen Vaccine Supply as Modern Cold Room Takes Shape.

Wote, 8th September 2026

The County Government of Makueni is set to strengthen vaccine storage and distribution following the establishment of a modern walk-in cold room at the Makueni County Referral Hospital (MCRH) County Store.

The facility will provide adequate storage for vaccines at the required 2–8°C or below, ensuring vaccines remain potent and available for immunisation services across the county. Once operational, the store will supply vaccines to Makueni’s six sub-counties including 285 immunising facilities; public, private and faith-based facilities.

Director of Nursing and Immunisation Dr. Anthony Mathulu, said the cold room will improve vaccine availability while reducing the cost and logistical challenges of transporting vaccines from the regional store in Nairobi. The facility will also strengthen the county’s ability to reach more children with life-saving immunisation services.

The project is supported by UNICEF, with the cold room supplied and manufactured by Haier and installation being undertaken by Crown, alongside biomedical engineers drawn from different parts of the country. Makueni County is among 16 counties benefiting from the initiative.

The investment marks an important step in Makueni’s efforts to build a reliable immunisation system and ensure no child misses essential vaccines because of storage or distribution challenges.

MAKUENI SET TO ROLL OUT MOBILE-BASED AGROECOLOGY SOIL HEALTH PROGRAMME

The Makueni County Department of Agriculture on Thursday convened a forum to roll out the KCEP CRAL SOIL/ILSA programme aimed at enhancing soil health and promoting agroecology through mobile-based access to farm inputs.

The three-year initiative, set to run from 2026 to 2028, brings together county administration officials, agricultural officers, agro-dealers, agroecology service providers, and KALRO. The programme will initially be implemented in three sub-counties, with Sub-County and Ward Agricultural Officers playing a key role in its rollout.

Supported by the European Union, the programme builds on Makueni County’s strong performance during the first phase of KCEP-CRAL. It targets 2,700 farmers for agroecology e-voucher inputs, while an additional 6,500 farmers will benefit from agroecology training. The initiative seeks to increase farm productivity, expand access to subsidized inputs, strengthen county agroecology systems, and improve food and nutrition security.

Speaking during the forum, CECM for Agriculture Elizabeth Muli said the initiative demonstrates the county government’s commitment to improving soil health, promoting sustainable agroecology practices, and empowering farmers through innovative, mobile-based input access.

On his part, KCEP-CRAL Eastern Region Coordinator Patrick Hinga said Makueni’s exemplary performance in earlier programme phases informed its selection, noting that the initiative will enhance farmer resilience, scale up agroecology adoption, and strengthen institutional capacity within the county.

MAKUENI SET TO REVOLUTIONIZE WOMEN’S HEALTH WITH CUTTING-EDGE LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY.

Makueni County is set to collaborate with the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative (OMMI) and Women in Development to enhance maternal, newborn, and child health services across the County.

This partnership comes amid rising neo-natal mortality rates in Makueni, currently standing at 26 % of deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare interventions.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted officials from Women in Development Initiative, FIGO, (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) and the Centre for Reproductive Health, where discussions centered on eliminating preventable maternal deaths, reducing neonatal and child mortality, and addressing adolescent pregnancies.

According to Prof. Beatrice Kihara, the lead champion of the Okoa Mama na Mtoto Initiative, at least 90% of pregnant women should attend a minimum of four antenatal care (ANC) visits, while 90% of births should be assisted by skilled healthcare professionals.

Further, she emphasized that 80% of mothers and newborns require early postnatal and essential newborn care for optimal health outcomes.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr , an advocate for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), stressed the importance of nutrition for expectant mothers and infants.

The new partnership is expected to strengthen healthcare systems and improve the well-being of mothers and children across Makueni.

Makueni set to reap big from proposed digital media city project at Konza technopolis

Makueni county, and especially the youth, is set to reap big from aproposed Konza Digital Media City (DMC) to be established at the Konza Technopolis.

The media city will be modelled after the Sangam Digital Media City in Seoul and other similar cities in Korea.

According to Jaehoon Lee, a lead pre-feasibility research consultant of the proposed project and lecturer at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea, the Digital Media City Project will mainly incorporate gaming, animation, filming, photography and entertainment centres as one of the sectors under the Knowledge Economy and Innovation pillar of Konza Technopolis Project.

Lee is leading a team of Korean researchers and ICT experts in a six month feasibility study of the proposed project and subsequently development of a Masterplan and Implementation of the Digital Media City.

On Wednesday, the Korean delegation held a consultative forum at Makueni’s Nairobi Liaison office with governor Kivutha Kibwana and KotDA Chief Executive Officer John Tanui to agree on how to partner through information and logistics sharing during the feasibility and implementation of the project.

Tanui said the Konza Digital Media City (K-DMC) is proposed to provide an excellent digital media and entertainment ecosystem for research, training, propagation of new technologies, innovation and production of content with the African themes and perspectives for the global markets. 

He said the proposed project will leverage on a robust smart city infrastructure to attract leading global investors in the sector, thereby creating employment and boosting the national economy.

K-DMC project objectives

When complete, the project is expected to create over 50,000 direct jobs to the youth, with Makueni taking up a substantial chunk of these offers.

The project is proposed to host among other segments of the industry:

World class film and music production studios; Production studios for Photography, Advertisements, Cinema and TV Industry; Animation and Computer gaming industries; A film/multi-media campus; Theme Parks
; Specialized photography and filming facilities; Modern sound production studios and film labs
; Sound design studios and color correction facilities.

Governor Kibwana said his administration will work closely with the implementers of this project for the benefit of the Makueni youth. 

Kibwana also pledged to lobby his colleague governors Charity Ngilu, Alfred Mutua and Joseph Ole Lenku to take key roles so the region can benefit from this project under the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) framework.

Eng. Tanui has said the  Media City project has the potential to go into the pipeline for projects with funding consideration by Korea Exim Bank

Makueni set to partner with the National Government on youth and women empowerment

The Government of Makueni County is set to partner with the National government through the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs on initiatives geared towards empowering the youth and women in the county.

This was agreed after Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his cabinet on Friday held lengthy discussions with Chief Administrative Secretary for the state ministry, Rachael Shebesh on behalf of her Cabinet secretary Margaret Kobia and identified a number of possible initiatives and programs to partner on.

Shebesh, while lauding Makueni for its outstanding performance in various areas expressed her interest specifically on partnership that impacts the lives of young people citing low uptake of the Youth Enterprise Fund in the county.

“I am interested in seeing that we touch the lives of our young people through the youth fund. It will be a win-win situation for both governments. We have the capacity to fund to even  a tune of Sh 10 million in a month to the youths through the fund,” Shebesh said.

Governor Kibwana said that his government will be more proactive in creating awareness to women and youth on the opportunities available for their empowerment including the funds adding that signing of a Memorandum of Understanding will be ripe after areas of priorities are refined by the two teams.

He Said: “We want to be very active in reaching out to our youth and women so that we increase the uptake of the youth and women funds in the County. Once the two teams on the ground refine on the areas of priority, then we will be ready to sign an MoU.”

Later in the day, CAS Shebesh together with Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau issued Women Enterprise Fund cheques worth Sh 2.9 million to 100 women at Wote.