News

MAKUENI HOSTS STREET CHILDREN FOOTBALL COMPETITION AHEAD OF DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD CELEBRATIONS

Makueni County on Saturday held a special football tournament for street children at Emali, aiming to connect with them and understand their background, needs, skills and areas of intervention towards their life and livelihood improvement.

Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who flagged off the tournament, stated that the competition serves as a mobilization tool to help get children off the streets.

With support from Social Development and Children Officers, the department will engage with the children to create individualized care plans, including family reintegration where possible.

Children without family support will be rehabilitated at the Makueni Children Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre.

The event was also part of activities leading up to the Day of the African Child to be held on Monday 16th June at Unoa Grounds in Wote.

Makueni is set to host the national celebrations for the Day of the African Child, highlighting efforts to protect and uplift vulnerable children.

According to Kyoni, the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr vision of social inclusion, promoting equity and equality for all Makueni residents.

Makueni hosts regional drama festivals

Makueni is playing host to this year’s Eastern regional primary school music festivals at Makueni boys high school with a theme, ‘’Enhancing national unity, cohesion and integration.’’

Gracing the festivals on Monday, governor Kibwana said there is need to foster the spirit of nationhood through music and education.

The festivals brings together all the counties in the Eastern region namely; Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Embu, Meru, Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni and Marsabit.

The county has become a top spot for such events in what the organizers term as hospitable environment and huge support by the County Government.

MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL PARAVOLLEYBALL TRIALS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Makueni County is hosting the national Paravolley (sitting volleyball) trials at Makueni Girls High School in Wote, bringing together teams from across the country for the three-day event.

Twelve counties—Makueni, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Siaya, Laikipia, Meru, Nakuru, Vihiga, Migori, Kisumu, Nairobi and Bungoma—are participating in the tournament, which will be used to select Kenya’s national team for the 2026 international paravolleyball championships in China.

In the opening match, Makueni’s men’s team dominated Mombasa with a 3–0 victory, boosting hopes of reaching the finals and contributing a strong contingent to the national squad.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, who officially opened the tournament on Thursday, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to promoting sports for persons with disabilities as part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s inclusivity agenda.

Makueni Disability Network chairperson Justus Katumo welcomed the initiative, noting that the event provides an important platform to empower persons with disabilities, many of whom possess exceptional sporting talent and professional abilities.

MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL LAUNCH OF 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER VIOLENCE

Makueni County is hosting the 2024 National Launch of 16 Days of campaign against Gender-Based Violence.

The global campaign, observed annually from November 25 to December 10, aims to raise awareness and oppose violence against women and children.

The event is graced by among others:Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Rono, Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Ann Wangombe, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Nairobi County MP Esther Passaris, Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo and County MP Rose Museo.

As the World begins marking 16 days of fight against all forms of Gender-Based Violence, Makueni County has made strides in this fight through:

1. Development of key policies namely; Makueni County Sexual and Gender Based Violence policy, Makueni County Gender Policy, Makueni County Children Policy, Makueni County Sexual harassment at Workplace Policy, Makueni County Social Protection Policy and Makueni County Disability Policy,

2. Established a Makueni Gender Based Violence Recovery Centre at the Wote Level 5 hospital. The recovery center provides support to survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and their families through the provision of comprehensive free medical treatment and psychosocial support to survivors of physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse;

3. Established an emergency safe shelter in one of the health centres with a 14-bed capacity each (8 for women and 6 for men) for short term placement of most vulnerable survivors of GBV;

4. Signed a 5-year MOU with Gender Violence Recovery Centre of Nairobi Womens hospital- to ensure prevention, reporting and quick response to GBV in Makueni;

5. Signed a 3-year MOU with Equality Now-Africa-to promote response, prevention and management of all forms of GBV in Makueni;

6. Organized safe spaces forums and children conferences targeting children between the ages of 10-17 years where 7,280 out of which 4,049 girls and 3,231 boys were empowered;

7. Developed walking galleries and gallery cards with children voices to enhance awareness on child protection;

8. Developed a duty bearers booklet and a children booklet on child protection and the need for creation of safe spaces;

9. Organized roadshows in all the major markets across the county to sensitize and create awareness on GBV;

10. Established and trained community-based child protection committees across the county that comprise of sub county administrators, social development officers, OCS, ECDE coordinator, volunteer children officers and children coordinators.

MAKUENI HOSTS NATIONAL CELEBRATIONS TO MARK WORLD METEOROLOGICAL DAY

Makueni County was on Sunday privileged to host the national celebrations to mark World Meteorological Day, an event dedicated to raising awareness about weather and climate concerns.

This year’s theme, “closing the early warning gap together” resonates well with Makueni’s desire for proper climate information dissemination to enhance agricultural production and prepare for emergencies that have rocked the county and the region for years.

Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Festus Ng’eno, led the celebrations at the Makindu Meteorological Station. The event was also graced by the Director Meteorological serivies-Dr David Gikungu, World Meteorological Organizations Director- Hlobille Shikhosana, MPs Jessica Mbalu, Mwengi Mutuse, Executive Committee Member for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, County Commissioner, and Makueni Chief Officer in charge of Environment Geoffrey Muthoka.

Mr. Nzioka, representing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, said the county government is keen on equipping farmers with the knowledge they need to adapt to changing climatic conditions. He highlighted the significance of partnership’s between government and non-governmental organizations in fostering resilience against climate-related challenges.

MAKUENI HOSTS LEGAL AID FORUM BY WATCHDOG COMMISSION

The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has launched a two-day legal aid and public education forum in Makueni County aimed at empowering residents with knowledge about their rights and access to justice.

During a courtesy call to the Governor’s office, CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo emphasized the Commission’s core mandate: addressing complaints related to abuse of power, delays in service delivery, unfair treatment, and ensuring the public’s right to access information. He praised Makueni’s commitment to public participation, noting it as a strong foundation for promoting accountability and transparency.

Deputy Governor H.E. Lucy Mulili echoed the importance of access to information, critical bills like the Makueni County Administrative Justice Bill and the Access to Information Bill which are nearing finalization.

These laws are expected to entrench the right to administrative justice and access to information for all residents.

Nicholas Nzioka, the CECM for Devolution, urged the commission to address specific challenges such as delays in the issuance of national IDs and the growing presence of undocumented foreigners in the region.

Other attendees included County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, County Solicitor Jenifer Kyumwa, and CAJ Commissioner Hon. Charles Njagua, among others.

MAKUENI HOSTS INDIAN IRRIGATION TECH GIANT FOR TRANSFORMATIVE AGRICULTURE PARTNERSHIP

Makueni County on Thursday welcomed a high-level delegation from Balson Polyplast Pvt. Ltd., a leading global irrigation technology company based in India, to explore strategic areas of collaboration aimed at transforming agriculture and sustainable energy in the region, like agricultural production,water management, fertigation, and renewable energy solutions including solar and wind power.

Speaking at the Makueni County Headquarters in Wote, Sitansu Sekhar Sarangi, Chief Operating Officer and head of the delegation, emphasized the importance of embracing green revolution technologies to combat the growing threat of climate change on global agriculture.

He pledged the company’s commitment to developing a 100-acre irrigation technology pilot and demonstration project in Makueni County.

Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili described the proposed irrigation technology as a timely game changer in advancing food security—not only in Makueni but across Kenya.

Her sentiments were echoed by Elizabeth Muli CECM Agriculture, Japheth Mang’oka, Ag. CECM for Water, and Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi Katete, who reaffirmed the county’s commitment to innovative solutions that enhance sustainable development.

CECM Finance, Damaris Kavoi, and Tulimani MCA Kyalo Mumo also attended the meeting.

MAKUENI HOSTS COUNTIES DIALOGUE AND LAND CLINICS ON LAND GOVERNANCE AND LAND USE PLANNING

Makueni County today hosted the Counties Dialogue and Land Clinics on Land Governance and Land Use Planning, officially opened by Dr. Paul Musila, CECM for Lands, accompanied by the ECM for Trade, CECM for Finance, Chief Officer Lands, County Solicitor, County officials, and Members of the County Assembly Lands Committee.

The forum was organised by the Kenya Institute of Planners in collaboration with the National Land Commission, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Council of Governors, and the Makueni County Government.

While addressing the forum, Dr. Musila emphasised the importance of integrated land use planning as a foundation for development.

The Dialogue sought to:

Address Land succession in the county

Foster partnerships for sustainable and inclusive land use planning.

Address challenges such as land tenure insecurity, urbanisation pressures, and environmental sustainability.

Enhance capacity and knowledge sharing among county stakeholders.

Promote participatory approaches in land governance for equitable development.

Makueni County remains committed to strengthening land governance systems as a key pillar for sustainable socio-economic growth and harmonious communities.

MAKUENI HOSTS 46 COUNTIES FOR LEARNING MISSION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday hosted 46 counties for the Climate Compatible Growth Conference, aimed at promoting peer-to-peer learning on the productive use of renewable energy and strengthening climate resilience.

The conference, organized by the Council of Governors in partnership with UK PACT, brings together County Executive Committee Members (CECs) and Directors in charge of energy for a three-day learning mission in Makueni County.

Kericho County’s Energy CEC, Rosemary Rop, who also serves as the Chairperson for the Energy CECs caucus, said many counties struggle with building capacity to tackle energy challenges, and need practical guidance in transforming policies into viable solutions.

The conference follows the recent launch of Makueni’s 10-year energy plan, which is designed to guide the development and implementation of sustainable and affordable energy solutions for residents.

Governor Mutula, who officially opened the conference in Wote, noted that Makueni had already begun implementing the solarization project at the Makueni Referral Hospital prior to the launch of the energy plan.

The governor encouraged delegates to prioritize actionable outcomes from the energy policy documents, reminding them that the public is eager to see real development results.

“It is not enough to have sound policies, plans and budgets, what will matter to the citizen is the development outcomes from these policy documents. There must therefore be a deliberate effort to ensure development,” said Governor Mutula.

MAKUENI HOSTS 26 COUNTIES FOR PEER LEARNING ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES

Makueni County is hosting Chief Officers in charge of Devolution and Citizen Engagement from 26 counties across Kenya, along with their directors, for a peer-to-peer learning forum on the establishment and operationalization of Project Management Committees (PMCs).

Speaking during the event, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized the power of community involvement in development planning adding that across the county , residents are actively involved in deciding how development funds will be utilized during the financial year.

Mulili further explained that at the close of each financial year, communities evaluate the outcomes, demand accountability, and make new proposals for the following cycle.

PMCs, she said, oversee the implementation of projects in line with the Bills of Quantities and also sign off on minutes that authorize contractor payments.

Counties represented in the forum include Nairobi, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Kirinyaga, among others.

The Deputy Governor was flanked by Nicholas Nzioka, CECM for Devolution, and other senior county officials during the forum.