News

Makueni inks deal with Nairobi Women’s Hospital to establish recovery center

Makueni has officially unveiled a Sexual and Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre (SGBVRC) at the Makueni County referral hospital.

The facility, the first by a county government, was unveiled on Wednesday by nominated Member of Parliament Cecily Mbarire flanked by governor Kivutha Kibwana, founder and director of strategy Nairobi Women’s Hospital Sam Thenya, Nairobi City County assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi, deputy governor Adelina Mwau and County MP Rose Museo.

Kibwana, on behalf of the County Government, also signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with the Nairobi Women’s Hospital which lays out a framework for collaboration between the two parties to develop, promote and strengthen joint actions and collaboration towards prevention and response to gender-based violence within Makueni County.

According to the MoU, The Nairobi Women Hospital Gender Recovery Centre will:

Offer technical support and guidance on the establishment and management of the county referral hospital gender based violence recovery centre (GBVRC).
Through consultation with the GMC, conduct capacity building on GBV prevention and response for key stakeholders involved in GBV management such as the healthcare providers, community structures and other relevant cadres or groups.
Provide technical advice to the policy makers and those in the county relevant institutions on strengthening GBV prevention and response and institutionalization of policies.
Collaborate with GMC to institutionalize the use of evidence informed interventions through activities such as baseline and end-line assessments, program reviews.
Implement targeted community and learning institutions education awareness on GBV prevention and response in collaboration with GMC
Collaborate with the county to support in monitoring GBV activities through quarterly stakeholders’ meetings and other appropriate approaches.
Collaborate wth GMC in sharing GBV data to promote evidence based programming maintaining confidentiality of affected persons (Suvivors of gender based violence).
At their cost, receive referrals for GBV specialized care and treatment
Participate in or facilitate GBV technical coordination group meetings
Aassist in establishing linkages and networks including resource mobilization for the GBV program.

Makueni inks deal with ChildFund Kenya to promote sustainable development in the County

Makueni County has inked a five-year partnership deal with ChildFund Kenya, a child-focused development organisation to promote sustainable development in the county.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed by County Secretary Paul Wasanga and the ChildFund International president Anne Goddard on Friday at Emali seeks to;

Improve livelihoods by strengthening families’ economic security and self-sufficiency. ChildFund working with the County Government of Makueni will help youths and families start their own businesses or train for marketable careers which can lead to community-wide changes and opportunities;

Implement hygiene, water and sanitation projects in the county in order to increase access to clean water sources for domestic and agriculture use, and to reduce emergence and spread of waterborne and water related diseases;

Increase access to educational opportunities for all children and youth by supporting the development of child-friendly ECDE Centers, capacity building caregivers on responsive parenting, payment of bursaries for orphans and vulnerable children, and providing life skills training and mentorship support to adolescents and youth;

Promote primary health care services by implementing responsive parenting education and nutrition programs and

Create safe spaces in the community where children are nurtured and protected. This will be done mainly through the strengthening community based child protection mechanisms and linking them to the formal systems.

Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau who witnessed the signing of the MoU commended ChildFund Kenya for their good work of lifting the lives of the people of Makueni especially the children and welcomed the partnership.

President Goddard said the deal will see them achieve more development for the people saying that that they were happy to bring on board partners from the government and other organisations.

“We realise we can’t do much alone and that is why we are willing to partner with local and international organisations,” said Goddard.

Makueni inks deal with Centre for Health Solutions for healthcare promotion

Makueni County has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Centre for Health Solutions Kenya (CHS-Kenya) to advance its quality of healthcare promotion.

The MoU, signed by governor Kivutha Kibwana and CHS-Kenya Chief Executive Officer Paul Wekesa on Monday seeks to:

Support in implementation and expansion of high quality HIV Care, prevention and treatment through training and capacity building activities, provision of commodities and other relevant assistance;

Provide technical advice to policy makers and to those in county health institutions that will deliver the services through the MoH;

Establish collaborative framework to institutionalize the use of evidence informed interventions through activities such as baseline assessments, program reviews and operations research;

Enhance support in monitoring activities of the National Tuberculosis Leprosy and Lung Disease (NTLD) Program through support, supervision and quarterly meetings.

The deal, according to governor Kibwana, is in line with the county government’s commitment to advance appropriate and rapid responses to the County’s HIV/AIDS epidemic and to health promotion in general.

The deal will cover 64 health facilities across the county, among them the sub county hospitals and the Makueni County Referral hospital.

Makueni inks a deal with Equality Now Africa on Gender Violence Response

Makueni County has inked a three-year partnership with Equality Now Africa, an international women’s rights organisation, to promote a multi-sectoral approach to response, prevention and management of Sexual Gender Based Violence in the County.

The deal, signed by Governor Kivutha Kibwana and Equality Now Director Africa Office Faiza Mohamed and witnessed by Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau on Thursday seeks to respond to and manage SGBV which is on the rise in Makueni with women and children most affected.

Kibwana termed GBV as a silent killer saying that several children were hurting and a lot of care is needed while handling their cases.

“GBV is a silent killer. We think there are so many kids hurting and this calls for professionalism while dealing with their cases because they can break or make their lives,” Kibwana noted.

As part of the MoU, Equality Now Africa will offer capacity building to county personnel on gender rights and the attendant legal framework providing for and protecting these rights; support and facilitate experiential learning of county personnel to design, plan and implement interventions to address sexual and gender based violence in the county.

The women’s rights organisation will also offer technical support in the development and review of county policies and legislation on gender mainstreaming and Sexual Gender Based violence policies and legislation including on Sexual and Gender Based Violence Management and Control.

The County Government of Makueni will, in accordance with the deal,support the development of key county policy and legislation addressing Sexual and Gender BasedViolence,gendermainstreaming and finance activities towards ending sexual violence in schools.

MAKUENI INITIATES LEGAL CLINIC ON LAND SUCCESSION.

In Kenya, inheriting land from a deceased family member requires following the country’s Laws of Succession — a process that demands documents like a death certificate, a clear list of beneficiaries and legal grants from the court.

For many families, these steps are often misunderstood, leading to endless disputes.

To bridge this gap, the County Government of Makueni on Monday held legal clinics on land succession at Kee Ward in Kaiti Sub County.

These clinics are open forums where residents learn from county legal experts and ask questions freely.

The Monday exercise, led by County Solicitor Jennifer M Kyumwa drew hundreds of locals eager to understand how to safeguard family property.

Kyumwa said the program is meant to empower families with knowledge and disclosed that similar events will be rolled out in other Wards.

Area MCA Ulbarnus Manzu and Lower Eastern LSK Chairperson Makau Mutua attended the event.

MAKUENI INCHES CLOSER TO FINALIZING COUNTY ENERGY POLICY

Makueni County, through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy, is one step away from finalizing its energy policy— a framework designed to promote clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions to support socio-economic development across the county.

The policy has been developed in partnership with Strathmore University, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and UK-PACT.

On Thursday 8th May 2025, the draft policy underwent validation by all relevant County Directors to ensure alignment with the county’s overall development agenda. The forum was chaired by Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi and attended by Environment Chief Officer Dr. Geoffrey Muthoka.

The draft will next be reviewed by the Chief Officers, County Executive Committee, County Assembly and Community before its official launch.

MAKUENI IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VILLAGE ENTERPRISE DRAFTS POLICY TO EMPOWER ULTRA-POOR RESIDENTS

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) has concluded public participation on the Ultra Poor Graduation Policy, aimed at mobilizing resources to support extremely poor residents in building sustainable livelihoods.

This comprehensive framework provides a range of interventions designed to help the ultra-poor transition from severe social and financial exclusion to self-sufficient socio-economic participation. The Ultra Poor Graduation Policy combines immediate support to meet participants’ urgent needs with long-term investments in life skills and technical training, asset transfers, enterprise development, savings, and future planning.

Supported by Village Enterprise, the overarching goal of this policy is to empower financially excluded individuals to gain the capacity for financial borrowing from the Makueni County Empowerment Fund and other financial institutions, ultimately fostering sustainable livelihoods for ultra-poor families.

Makueni in Partnership with Christian Health Association on HIV prevention

Makueni’s efforts to combat the HIV epidemic has received a shot in the arm following a partnership agreement with Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) to scale up these efforts.

The agreement, signed on Monday by governor Kivutha Kibwana and CHAK’s Secretary General Samuel Mwenda seeks to facilitate the implementation of comprehensive HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Services in pre-selected faith based facilities within Makueni County

The selected facilities include Kikoko Mission Hospital, Makueni Catholic Dispensary, PCEA Kasasule Health Centre, Kambu Catholic Dispensary and Mbitini Catholic dispensary.

As part of the partnership, CHAK will primarily:

Provide financial support on a monthly basis for human resources support in the facilities captured, subject to funding availability from CDC to the Makueni County Health Management Team as discussed and agreed upon by both parties.

Offer clinical, & Health systems strengthening mentorship at the pre-determined Health facilities.

Participate in joint support supervision with the County Health Management Teams.

Timely submission of MoH monthly reports as per the pre-existing framework to the Makueni County Health Department

Train the personnel in the pre-determined health facilities on various aspects of HIV & T.B service delivery and reporting.

Makueni on the other hand will among others:

Offer staff management including staff appraisal and taking disciplinary measures where necessary.

Provide data capturing and reporting tools for the HIV and TB care and treatment and to Conduct Data Quality Audits of the health facilities captured.

Facilitate consistency in supply of pharmaceutical and laboratory commodities that are vital to the day to day implementation and overall success of the HIV and TB care and treatment interventions as envisioned in the agreement.

MAKUENI, ICRAF, AND KENYA RED CROSS PARTNER TO SUPPORT FLOOD VICTIMS.

At least 60 households in Makueni severely affected by the March-April-May rains through floods have each received Kshs 5,000 courtesy of a partnership between Makueni County Government, Center for International Forestry Research & World Agroforestry Centre (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Kenya Red Cross Society.

The assistance, according to Joyce Kasyoki, ICRAF’s Senior Executive Manager- Global Programs, is intended to address the immediate needs of the affected families.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday hosted officials from the two organizations led by Joyce Kasyoki and George Ndolo, Kenya Red Cross Lower Eastern Regional Head, for a review of ongoing collaborations and attendant impacts. The teams later visited a number of the affected families, mapped by Kenya Red Cross.

CIFOR-ICRAF has continued to actively support Makueni County in developing strategies and interventions to enhance environmental resilience, thereby improving community livelihoods.

MAKUENI HOSTS WATER DEVELOPMENT STAKEHOLDERS TO REVIEW PROGRESS AND SET FUTURE GOALS.

By the year 2027, the Makueni County Government will have invested Shs 4.8 billion in water sector development with the target of achieving 70 percent universal water supply for its over 1 million residents. This investment aims to reduce the distance to the nearest water point from the current 4 km to 2 km.

This announcement was made by County Executive Committee Member for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation John Kieti during a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) multi-stakeholder forum on Monday, to review the water situation in Makueni.

Presided over by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in Wote, the forum aimed to identify progress, gaps, and commitments of different partners towards water development, ensuring the implementation of a unified water agenda by all partners.

A bulk of the funding, to be mobilized by both the county government and partners, will go towards water infrastructure development, treatment, distribution, and enhancing proper governance to ensure the sustainable supply of quality water for all.

Since 2022, the county government has increased water coverage from 26,000 cubic meters to 30,000 cubic meters daily. The WASH forum has been tasked with drawing up a water master plan to bridge the gap to meet the 60,000 cubic meters demand per day as per the County Integrated Development Plan (2023-2027).