News

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CANCER DAY AS CASES SURGE BY 31%

Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula on Tuesday led residents in commemorating World Cancer Day at Kathonzweni Health Center, highlighting a worrying rise in cancer cases across the county.

According to statistics from Makueni County Referral Hospital, cancer cases increased from 1,745 in 2023 to 2,270 in 2024, a staggering 31% rise within a year.

In response, the County plans to expand its cancer treatment center to accommodate the growing number of patients.

She revealed that the County’s October 2024 surgical camp uncovered numerous cancer cases, particularly prostate cancer. Additionally, a breast cancer screening week in the same month recorded a 9.8% positivity rate, underscoring the need for regular screening.

Hospital registries further indicate that breast cancer was the most diagnosed type in Makueni in 2024, with 555 cases (552 women and 3 men), followed by prostate cancer at 479 and cervical cancer at 210.

However, the First Lady expressed concern over the county’s low HPV vaccine uptake, emphasizing the urgent need to protect young girls from cervical cancer.

During the event, she also launched a three-month community-based digitalized screening program targeting breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

Makueni has been partnering with The National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Roche and Savannah Global Health Institute in the fight against Cancer among others.

MAKUENI MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

On Friday, the County Culture Directorate joined the world in celebrating International Mother Language Day at the Makueni University College, a constituent college of SEKU, Wote Campus, in a lively event that blended culture, creativity and technology.

The celebrations that were sparked by a call to unity through language, followed by colourful creative performances by students, with music, spoken word poetry, traditional dances, storytelling and comedy from across the country bringing the campus alive, reflecting Kenya’s rich linguistic diversity.

Speaking during the event, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Ag. CECM Nicholas Nzioka emphasized that revitalizing indigenous languages is key to cultural identity, education and inclusive development, urging youth to use digital platforms to preserve their mother tongues.

The UNESCO-endorsed International Mother Language Day promotes the celebration of indigenous languages, strengthens mother-tongue education, and encourages the use of digital platforms to preserve linguistic diversity.

Representing College Principal, Prof. Josephat Kimatu highlighted the university’s role in nurturing creativity, cultural pride and innovation among youth.

The event was attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, Culture, Music and the Arts Director Mutua Mulonzya, and other county officials, underscoring Makueni’s commitment to protecting linguistic heritage.

MAKUENI MARKS MORTICIANS RECOGNITION DAY, HONOURS VITAL ROLE IN HEALTHCARE

The Department of Health Services on Friday joined mortuary professionals in commemorating Morticians Recognition Day at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, in an event that celebrated the often unseen yet critical role morticians play within the healthcare system.

Held under the theme “Honouring the Departed, Healing the Living,” the event recognized the dedication of morticians in preserving the dignity of the deceased while providing essential support to families during moments of grief.

Speaking on behalf of County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Joyce Mutua, CECM for Lands, Urban Planning and Development, Environment and Climate Change Dr. Paul Musila said the county government has taken deliberate steps to improve the welfare of mortuary staff.

He noted that the county has transitioned morticians who were previously serving on contract terms to permanent and pensionable employment, a move aimed at enhancing job security and motivation among the professionals.

Further, he highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen mortuary services across the county, including the construction of a new mortuary facility with a capacity of about 100 bodies, as well as equipping health facilities to improve service delivery.

National Chairperson of the Morticians and Allied Professionals Association of Kenya, Elkanah Mwinami, emphasized the commitment of mortuary professionals to uphold respect and dignity in handling the deceased.

He said morticians play a vital role not only in preserving the dignity of the departed but also in offering comfort and reassurance to bereaved families during their most difficult moments.

MAKUENI MANGOES ON THE MOVE.

Mango is one of the world’s most popular fruits, and Makueni continues to shine as Kenya’s leading mango-growing region.

In 2023, over 70,000 households in Makueni relied on mango farming, contributing more than 75% of the county’s total fruit production and yielding 199,626 metric tons valued at KSh 4.28 billion.

To further strengthen market access and boost the value of mango produce, the Department of Agriculture has embarked in renovations of Kibwezi Horticulture Crop Directorate (HCD) Pack House storage unit.

The renovations are aimed at maintaining high standards of cleanliness, proper ventilation and organized handling processes to guarantee safe and high-quality fruits for global market.

On Thursday, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Liz Muli, visited to inspect the renovations and assess the ongoing mango export initiative.

The export program which is implemented in partnership with TradeMark Africa has so far facilitated the shipment of 114,000 cartons destined for the international market.

Accompanied by Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo, CECM Muli affirmed that the initiatives are focused on advancing agribusiness and uplifting the economic wellbeing of mango farmers.

MAKUENI MANGO FARMERS TO BENEFIT FROM 15,000 FRUIT FLY TRAPS

Makueni mango farmers have received a major boost in the fight against fruit fly infestation after Trademark Africa, with support from the European Union, donated 15,000 fruit fly pheromone traps to the county.

The consignment was officially received on Friday by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who noted that the intervention comes at the peak of mango production season and will help increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmers’ incomes.

The traps, which contain pheromones that attract fruit flies to a biopesticide killing chamber, offer an environmentally friendly solution.

Unlike excessive pesticide use, which is harmful to human health and the environment, the traps provide safe and sustainable control of the destructive pest.

Speaking during the handover, Mulili, accompanied by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, appreciated the partnership with Trademark Africa in empowering farmers, creating jobs and driving Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of boosting agricultural productivity.

The event was also attended by Trademark Africa’s Program Manager for Business Competitiveness, Samuel Konzolo.

MAKUENI MAKES HISTORY WITH KYISA FOOTBALL TRIUMPH

Makueni County has made history at this year’s Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games by clinching the highly coveted men’s football trophy.

The Makueni men’s team displayed exceptional resilience, overcoming Narok, Laikipia, Mandera, Tana River, and Busia to lift the trophy for the first time in KYISA history.

In addition to the football triumph, Makueni also bagged three more trophies: men’s 5×5 basketball, women’s 5×5 basketball, and women’s 3×3 basketball, underscoring the county’s dominance across disciplines.

Sports Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni attributed the outstanding performance to robust grassroots sports management, comprehensive talent scouting, and proper budgeting. He noted that the teams representing Makueni were recruited through the Ligi Mashinani and MKJ Supa Cup platforms.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has congratulated the teams for their stellar performance and reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to increasing budgetary support for sports in the coming years

MAKUENI LIGHTS UP MARKETS TO BOOST 24-HOUR ECONOMY

The Department of Energy has installed two flood masts in Kikumbulyu North Ward to enhance security and support businesses operating at night.

The floodlights, set up in Kathyaka and Athi Kiaoni markets, were commissioned by CECMs Eng. John Kieti (Water) and Eng. Peter Nyamai (Energy).

Market floodlights improve safety, extend business hours and create a more vibrant trading environment.

This initiative to light up markets aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s plan to drive economic growth in local markets.

With a similar project launched this week in Kiunduani Market, the Thursday commissioning was attended by Kikumbulyu North MCA Jackson Mbalu, Governor’s Advisor Nzioki King’ola and Education Director Damaris Makau.

MAKUENI LEVERAGES ON TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Makueni County has since the advent of devolution struggled to meet the water demand of her more than one million residents. While there are so many water projects developed to meet the current daily demand of 60,000 cubic meters, some remain nonfunctional and others performing below capacity due to governance shortfalls.

To improve management of water assets for sustainable supply of water to residents, Makueni County has adopted a transformative Water Management Information System (MIS), which tracks the developed infrastructure, functionality, coverage and management challenges where applicable.

The system is co-created in partnership with USAID-STAWI and is intended for use by different stakeholders in the water sector for reporting on water assets management as well as report issues affecting water distribution systems to reduce governance-orchestrated water scarcity.

This digital system also enables informed decision-making and preventing duplication of efforts by water investors. With a centralized platform, stakeholders will collaborate efficiently, ensuring investments align with the county’s overall water agenda.

On Monday, water officers in the county were inducted on the use of the digital system in a forum graced by Water Executive Committee Member John Kieti, Chief Officer David Makau and USAID-STAWI South Eastern Coordinator Alois Muthini in Wote.

MAKUENI LEADS PROCESSION MATCHES DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE KENYA INTER-COUNTY SPORTS ASSOCIATION (KYISA) GAMES AT PWANI UNIVERSITY ON MONDAY

Makueni leads procession matches during the official opening of the Kenya Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) Games at Pwani University on Monday.

County Executive Committee Member for Sports Eng. Peter Mumo led the Makueni team.

Makueni is the defending champion in Ladies Football and Men Basketball.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro presided over the opening ceremony

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MAKUENI LEADS NATION IN ROLLOUT OF LIFESAVING MATERNAL NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS

Makueni County has become the first in the country to officially roll out Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS), marking a major milestone in the fight against maternal anaemia.

This initiative is between Makueni county and Vitamin Angels through the Transforming Lives initiative, through the nutrition consortium.

The launch was held on Friday at Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The supplements, packaged in doses of 180 tablets, are to be taken once daily over a six-month period. Each tablet contains 15 essential nutrients designed to address the high prevalence of anaemia among pregnant women and reduce the risk of maternal deaths.

Despite nearly universal access to Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation (IFAS) among women attending antenatal clinics, many still present with anaemia at the time of delivery. This condition significantly increases the risk of excessive bleeding during childbirth.

According to County Executive Committee Member for Health, Joyce Mutua, investigations revealed that many women found IFAS unpleasant due to its taste, which often caused nausea and reduced adherence.

Unlike IFAS, which contains only two nutrients, the new Multiple Micronutrient Supplement combines 15 essential nutrients in a single tablet. This formulation is expected to improve compliance among expectant mothers while meeting their broader nutritional needs.

During pregnancy, a woman’s daily iron requirement increases significantly. However, many existing supplements provide insufficient iron and lack complementary nutrients that enhance absorption and utilization in the body.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who presided over the launch, praised Vitamin Angels through the Transforming Lives initiative for partnering with the county to integrate MMS into antenatal care services.

She noted that the implementation science-driven initiative positions Makueni at the forefront of advancing maternal nutrition interventions, setting a precedent for other counties to follow.