News

MAKUENI RALLIES COMMUNITY TO RESTORE RIVER ECOSYSTEMS AHEAD OF WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

As the world prepares to mark World Environment Day tomorrow, the Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority on Thursday conducted a tree-planting exercise at Kiaoni along the Muuoni River in Nguu/Masumba Ward.

The initiative seeks to restore and protect the fragile riverine ecosystem, enhance water retention, and strengthen community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The Authority has been at the forefront of efforts to rehabilitate rivers degraded by years of uncontrolled and unsustainable sand harvesting. Through restoration programs, environmental conservation initiatives, and community engagement, it continues to promote sustainable sand utilization while safeguarding vital water resources and ecosystems for future generations.

MAKUENI RALLIES BEHIND GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO END POSTPARTUM HEMORRHAGE

Makueni County joined the rest of the world in commemorating World PPH Run Day, raising awareness about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) — a leading cause of maternal deaths, responsible for nearly 50% of such fatalities globally.

Health professionals, local residents, and advocacy partners gathered in Wote for the awareness run under the global theme “Run for Her”, emphasizing the urgency of preventing PPH through early intervention and community education.

Leading the event, Martha Munyao, CEO of Makueni County Referral Hospital, called on expectant mothers to attend regular antenatal clinics and ensure hospital deliveries.

Munyao also praised the efforts of Jhpiego and other health partners for their pivotal role in combatting PPH, especially through the introduction of heat-stable carbetocin, a tablet proven to significantly reduce blood loss after childbirth and potentially eliminate PPH-related deaths.

Teresia Maweu, Reproductive Health Coordinator, encouraged the public to support the cause by donating blood, a life-saving resource in managing severe blood loss during and after delivery.

MAKUENI PUSHES GOVERNANCE REFORMS TO STRENGTHEN RURAL WATER SERVICES

The Government of Makueni County has intensified efforts to strengthen sustainability and accountability in rural water service delivery through a high-level engagement bringing together the Department of Water, Water Service Providers and the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).

The meeting, led by Ag. CECM for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Japheth Mang’oka and Chief Officer David Makau, focused on reforms aimed at ensuring community water schemes operate professionally, transparently and in compliance with regulatory standards.

Key discussions centered on licensing of rural water schemes, tariff approvals, delegated service provision agreements and accountability measures to enhance efficiency in water management.

Held under the K-WASH Programme, the forum also reviewed the performance of Water Service Providers in the county and explored sustainable management models expected to improve operations and expand access to clean, reliable water for rural communities

MAKUENI PURSUES PEACEFUL OUT-OF-COURT LAND RESOLUTIONS

Makueni County, through the Department of Lands, Urban Planning and Development, has kicked off plans to establish Alternative Justice System (AJS) structures to handle land disputes outside the courtroom.

In partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Digital Land Governance Programme, the department has concluded a two-day sensitization workshop for key stakeholders in the land sector.

The training brought together Sub-county development planning committees, land surveyors, county coordinator, national land commission, county land registry and land adjudicators as well as representatives from municipalities to deepen their understanding of the role of AJS in resolving land conflicts and unlocking resource potentials.

Participants were taken through Kenya’s AJS policy framework, its application within the county, and the use of the Land Information Management System.

The main goal of the training is to establish and strengthen AJS structures that can help resolve boundary disputes, land and resource conflicts, succession matters, and other cases more efficiently and peacefully.

Makueni Promotes Healthy Ageing Through Grannies’ Football.

Wote :30 th August 2026

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, on Saturday helped organise friendly football matches bringing together five grannies’ teams: Wote, Kilala, Precious’ Kikumbukyu, Maiani and Vumbu Grannies.

The matches provided the elderly women with an opportunity to stay physically active, improve their health, socialise and enjoy sports in an inclusive environment.

Speaking during the event, Interim Chairperson of the Makueni Grannies Football Association, Mary Kioko, said the association’s theme, “KICK FOR HEALTH,” highlights the role of sports in promoting the physical and social wellbeing of elderly women.

Kioko called for increased support in uniforms, sporting facilities, financial assistance and inclusion of grannies in tournaments.

The County Government provided medical support, refreshments and technical facilitation during the matches.

The initiative reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s commitment to empowering women while prioritising their health, dignity and wellbeing at every stage of life.

Makueni Projects Sh152M for El Niño Preparedness.

WOTE: 30th September 2026

Makueni County Government has projected a Sh152 million disaster preparedness budget ahead of the expected October-November-December (OND) El Niño rains.

The funds are expected to support evacuation efforts and the provision of essential services in hotspot areas prone to floods, disease outbreaks, damaged infrastructure and other risks associated with the enhanced rains.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili presided over a Disaster Risk Management Conference for development partners in Wote, aimed at mobilising the required resources and establishing a coordinated disaster response approach to avoid duplication of efforts.

Mulili said Makueni has in the past experienced the adverse effects of enhanced rainfall, including the loss of 18 lives in 2025, mudslides in Kilungu and Kithungo, and flooding in Sultan Hamud, Mbitini and other parts of the county.

She urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid crossing flooded rivers, which she identified as one of the leading causes of loss of lives during periods of heavy rainfall.

Mulili assured residents that the county government, in partnership with the national government and development partners, is fully prepared to respond to the expected rains, with a focus on protecting lives, infrastructure and livelihoods.

MAKUENI PRESENTS 342 PARTICIPANTS AT THE 97th KENYA MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS.

The 97th edition of the Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals was officially launched on Tuesday at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic in Voi, marking the start of a thrilling ten-day celebration of Kenya’s vibrant artistic and cultural heritage.

The event, which was graced by Taita Taveta Deputy Governor H.E. Christine Saru Kilalo, promises a rich array of performances, including music choirs, drama, spoken word, narratives and cultural exhibitions drawn from all over the country.

During the opening ceremony, Kilalo warmly welcomed participants and visitors to Taita Taveta, urging the competitors to celebrate the nation’s diverse cultures through their performances.

Makueni County made a notable contribution to the festival with 342 participants led the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism by Dr. Sonia Nzilani,

Dr. Nzilani expressed confidence in Makueni’s strong performance, highlighting the county’s continued commitment to nurturing and developing its arts, music and cultural sectors.

The launch ceremony also featured a spirited and electrifying modern dance performance by Wote Technical Training Institute, which had previously taken first place in 96th edition of KMCF held in Makueni.

The ceremony was attended by KMCF Chairperson Prof. Emily Akuno, Kenya Cultural Centre Chief Executive Officer Michael Pundo, Makueni’s Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani among other national and county government officials.

MAKUENI PREPARES FOR MCEF ROLLOUT TO BOOST GROUP ENTERPRISES

Organized groups engaged in income-generating activities in Makueni are set for a major boost as the county government prepares to roll out the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF).

With a capital outlay of Sh168 million, the fund will support women, youth, PWDs, and other marginalized groups to grow their enterprises and transition into mainstream financial systems.

Initially launched in 2015 as the Tetheka Fund, the initiative faced challenges including high default rates and weak recovery mechanisms.

Under the leadership of Mutula Kilonzo Jr, the fund has been restructured to align with reviewed legal frameworks, reduce default risks, and enhance financial inclusion.

On Tuesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, alongside Gender Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, presided over the induction of the County Fund Committee ahead of the rollout phase.

Lending will be issued to organized groups through a digital platform developed in partnership with Safaricom.

MAKUENI PREPARES FOR E-VOUCHER FMD VACCINATION ROLLOUT

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock on Thursday concluded a two-day training on the e-voucher Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination model, ahead of its rollout in the county.

The training brought together 40 Veterinary Surgeons(VS) and Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs), alongside representatives from 13 Farmer Producer Organizations (VPOs) where participants were equipped with skills to implement the digital vaccination system smoothly.

Speaking during the closure of the training, CECM for Agriculture and Livestock, Liz Muli, urged Farmer Producer Organization leaders to take the lead in mobilizing farmers to embrace the new system.

She further noted that the digital approach will improve efficiency, transparency and disease control across the county, adding that strong collaboration between service providers and farmer groups is key to protecting livestock and improving productivity in Makueni.

During the registration exercise, farmers will be enrolled on the Mifugo 360 app using their national ID numbers and mobile phone contacts.

Upon successful registration, each farmer will receive an e-voucher worth KSh 50 per cow, issued according to the number of animals presented for vaccination.

The vaccination will be carried out through 13 cooperatives across the county, with farmers registering their livestock online at the nearest cooperative.

MAKUENI PRAISED FOR FLOCCA PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Makueni County has been commended for its integrated approach to implementing projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLOCCA) programme during an implementation support mission by the World Bank team and representatives from partner agencies.

The delegation, led by FLOCCA Programme Manager for County Co-ordination Abraham Barsosui and World Bank Senior Water Engineer Pascaline Wanjiku, paid a courtesy call on the county leadership as part of a mission to review implementation progress and strengthen programme governance. The team included representatives from support agencies, among them the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The team praised the County for integrating agriculture, water and environmental projects, as well as its commitment to documentation and transparency in programme implementation.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili thanked the delegation for its support and reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to completing all FLOCCA-funded projects before the programme ends in December.

She said the projects would have a lasting impact on residents’ livelihoods but raised concern over increasing vandalism of public projects, saying the vice was undermining development efforts.