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MAKUENI MOVES TO SAFER, SMARTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy, in partnership with Flone Initiative, has embarked on drafting a Public Transport Policy aimed at creating a safe, professional and inclusive industry for all.

On Friday, county technical officers drawn from various departments converged in Wote for a consultative forum to shape safe, accessible and well-structured strategies that will inform the policy document.

Speaking during the forum, County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy, Eng. Peter Nyamai noted that the policy will help formalize the public transport system, encourage investment and align land use patterns with transport strategies.

He further highlighted that the policy will also promote social equity by prioritizing safe and accessible services for marginalized and vulnerable groups.

The initiative is supported by the German organization Heinrich Böll Stiftung through Flone Initiative, which advocates for safer and more inclusive transport systems.

This partnership marks a major step toward modernizing public transport in Makueni, ensuring it not only supports economic growth but also serves every member of the community with dignity and safety.

MAKUENI MOVES TO RESTORE THREATENED MUAMBWANI KALUMBI COMMUNITY FORESTS

Muambwani and Kalumbi Community Forests in Mbitini Ward are more than just trees—they are lifelines. These precious ecosystems provide the neighboring communities with clean water, firewood, medicinal plants and food, while sheltering hundreds of wildlife species.

These forests are however under threat from unsustainable human practices such as logging, cattle grazing and encroachment, putting both nature and people at risk by shrinking the resources they rely on.

Alarmed by this crisis, Makueni County’s Department of Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment and Climate Change has sprung into action. In partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Union under the Digital Land Governance Programme, they have completed an intensive four-day biodiversity and socioeconomic assessment—documenting the forests’ rich flora and fauna while mapping the damaging effects of human activity.

This assessment paves the way for the formulation of a Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP)—a community-driven blueprint to restore and sustainably manage the two forests.

Led by FAO’s Cluster Land Technical Specialist, Christopher Sowek, and Makueni County Forester Damaris Mwikali, the plan will empower locals to protect their natural heritage while creating eco-friendly livelihoods such as beekeeping, agroforestry, ecotourism, and plant-based medicinal extracts.

MAKUENI MOVES TO MITIGATE IMPENDING HUNGER

Makueni County is preparing for a hunger crisis following depressed rainfall. During Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kikima Secondary School, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jrr. announced that he will convene the County Steering Group on 19th December to review drought assessments and set up mitigation measures.

County Commissioner Khalif Dol Abdullahi said relief food will be distributed across all sub-counties, targeting all sub counties.

Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili urged the national government to provide additional relief food, citing imminent crop failure in several areas.

MAKUENI MODEL MATERNAL HEALTH INITIATIVES COMMEND DURING INTERNATIONAL MATERNAL AND NEWBORN CONFERENCE

Makueni County’s maternal health model has been commended as a leading example in reducing preventable maternal and newborn deaths at the International Maternal and Newborn Conference in Nairobi.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. , who delivered a keynote speech during the conference, said the county’s progress is driven by deliberate policies, strong political commitment, and community-based interventions focused on maternity and family units.

He highlighted the county’s emphasis on male involvement and strong family support systems as key to improving maternal health outcomes.

The governor noted that postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) remains a major cause of maternal deaths in many regions, largely due to gaps in access to quality care. “Each death is a family permanently altered. This is not just a health issue—it is a leadership failure,” he said.

He called for practical reforms, including wider access to essential medicines, clear public health communication, and targeted action on key risk factors such as anaemia, poor nutrition, and pregnancy-related hypertension.

Makueni County was recognised for achieving zero deaths from PPH in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating the impact of its focused interventions.

The county is now expanding efforts to address other causes of maternal mortality, including hypertensive disorders, while strengthening antenatal and postnatal care services.

MAKUENI MKJ SUPA CUP TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF

Makueni’s premier sports competition, MKJ Supa Cup, has kicked off where 360 teams of both men and women are battling it out in six disciplines: football, volleyball, basketball, beach volleyball, beach Handball, and 3×3 basketball.

The Supa Cup, an annual tournament, is a culmination of the county’s Ligi Mashinani sports league where teams from the 30 wards compete for a spot at the Supa Cup, which begins at the Sub-county level.

On 8th and 9th March, 2025, Kibwezi East and Kibwezi West Sub-county finals took place, with scouts on the ground to identify outstanding talents and also select an all-star team to fly the sub-county flag to the county finals. On 15th March, Mbooni and Kaiti will stage their finals while action in Kilome and Makueni will take place on 22nd and 23rd.

From the Supa Cup, each of the six sub-counties will select an all-star team for the county finals scheduled for 29th and 30th March, 2025. From the county final, a county team in each discipline will be assembled to represent Makueni at the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games in Homabay

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr says the tournament provides a structured pathway for young athletes aged 18-23 to develop their skills, gain exposure, and transition into national and international sports careers.

He says through this initiative, Makueni County continues to solidify its reputation as a powerhouse in grassroots sports development, providing a stage where talent meets opportunity.

To further diversify sports, the county government has set the ball rolling to construct an indoor games arena in Wote town. Governor Mutula says this arena, now at design stage, will put Makueni on the same pedestal with other sporting counties, and produce athletes able to compete at the global space.

In February, the county hosted a successful indoor games tournament featuring chess, darts, draughts and pool table competitions.

MAKUENI, MINISTRY OF TOURISM MOOT JOINT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Makueni County and the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife have set the ball rolling towards joint tourism development and marketing.

During a tourism stakeholders meeting attended by players from both levels of government at Chyullu National Park on Friday, several approaches were fronted that will make Makueni a top tourist destination and boost local revenue.

These are:

1. Regularizing and promoting the South Eastern Kenya tourism circuit;

2. Working with industry players to set up hotels and tour agency investments around Chyulu;

3. Rehabilitation of Makindu airstrip;

4. Setting up four entry gates to Chyullu National Park at Makindu, Kaunguni, Metava and Katheka Kai with a view of promoting domestic tourism.

The meeting graced by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr also agreed to develop a formula for sharing carbon credit revenue realized from the park.

Dr. Mutua promised to expedite completion of the electric fence around the park to put a permanent stop to the human-wildlife conflict that has left a long trail of death and destruction of property and crops in the larger Kibwezi area.

MAKUENI MELODIES LIGHT UP ELDORET

Earlier today, the Makueni County Choir stepped on stage with vibrant a cappella flair, delivering a rhythmic and soulful rendition of “Dot Com Lady” under Class 451, Zilizopendwa Kenyan.

Their voices danced in harmony—smooth, sweet, and stirring—earning warm applause at the Kenya Music and Cultural Festival taking place at Moi Girls Secondary School in Eldoret.

A performance where rhythm met nostalgia, and Makueni’s musical spirit shone bright.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD RABIES DAY WITH FREE DOG VACCINATIONS

Rabies is a deadly viral disease that spreads from animals to humans, mainly through dog bites.

Once symptoms appear, rabies is almost always fatal, making prevention the only way to save lives.

Controlling rabies is critical as the disease not only endangers human health but also affects livelihoods, especially in rural communities like Makueni where dogs play a key role in security and companionship. Kenya records about 2,000 rabies deaths annually, underlining the urgent need for action.

On Monday, the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock marked World Rabies Day at Kikumini/Muvau Ward led by Agriculture CECM Liz Muli.

Supported by Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (VSF) Germany, which donated vaccines worth Ksh.3 million, local dog owners benefited from free vaccinations and sterilization services with a certificate for their animals.

Ms. Muli urged residents to bring out their dogs for vaccination, stressing that protecting animals is a sure way of safeguarding loved ones.

The County Veterinary Directorate will extend the campaign in October and November to Wote/Nziu, Kathonzweni, Kithungo/Kitundu, Kalawa, Ukia and Nguu/Masumba wards.

The event was also attended by Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo, VSF Germany representatives, and county veterinary officers.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY WITH CALL TO EMPOWER GIRLS.

The Department of Health Services on Thursday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Menstrual Hygiene Day through an awareness and empowerment event held at Nziu Primary School grounds under the theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.”

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services Joyce Mutua called on society to create a supportive environment for girls free from stigma and discrimination associated with menstruation.

Speaking during the event, Mutua led county health officials in distributing dignity packs to learners from Nziu Primary School, Nziu Vocational Training Centre and neighbouring schools.

She lauded the government for supporting menstrual hygiene programmes aimed at improving the welfare and dignity of school-going girls.

The CECM further urged girls to remain focused on their education and seek proper guidance to avoid early pregnancies, noting that some cases result in childbirth complications and premature births.

She also called on chiefs and local administrators to take firm action against individuals involved in defiling and impregnating school-going girls.

Makueni Sub-County Deputy County Commissioner Paul Langat called for increased support for school-going girls, urging schools and stakeholders to improve sanitation and hygiene facilities to enable girls to learn comfortably and confidently during their menstrual cycle.

The event featured health talks, menstrual hygiene awareness sessions and the issuance of dignity packs.

It brought together county officials, education stakeholders, health officers and community leaders in promoting dignity, health and equal opportunities for girls.