News

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD KIDNEY DAY 2026.

The Department of Health Services on Thursday joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Kidney Day 2026 at Green Park in Wote.

The event, themed “Kidney Health for All: Caring for People, Protecting the Environment,” was led by a team of medical professionals from the Makueni County Referral Hospital.

During the event, the team conducted free kidney screenings and delivered health talks aimed at raising awareness about kidney health and the importance of early detection.

Speaking at the event, the nurse in charge of the MCRH Renal Department, Christine Andrew, encouraged residents to adopt simple but effective practices to protect their kidneys and prevent complications.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD HYPERTENSION DAY AT THANGE.

Makueni health services CECM Dr. Paul Musila has urged locals at Kinyambu,Thange ward to routinely monitor their blood pressure and engage in healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Musila gave the comments while presiding on the World Hypertension Day celebrations at Kinyambu health center.

He warned that high blood pressure is a silent killer hence the signs and symptoms do not appear early.

He further, asked the health workers in the county to make schedule screening of locals at churches, village gatherings among other public places so as to track down those who need medical care.

While addressing locals during the same meeting, the head of non- communicable diseases in Makueni Dr. Joseph Mulei revealed that statistics made available showed that Thange ward was worst affected by non – communicable diseases while one in every four people across the County suffered from high blood pressure.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY WITH LAUNCH OF LANDSCAPE RESTORATION STRATEGY

Makueni County on Friday joined the global community in commemorating World Environment Day at Kea Comprehensive School in Kilome Sub-County, with a renewed call for environmental conservation, ecosystem restoration and community-led climate action.

As part of its commitment to restoring degraded ecosystems, the County Government unveiled the County Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Scaling Strategy, a roadmap designed to accelerate landscape restoration across the county over the next three years.

Speaking during the event, Lands Executive Committee Member Dr. Paul Musila said the strategy provides a practical and cost-effective framework for restoring degraded landscapes through the protection, regeneration and sustainable management of naturally occurring trees and vegetation.

The strategy outlines an ambitious implementation plan running from 2026 to 2030, targeting the restoration of 55,000 hectares of degraded land, training of 40,000 farmers, 100 extension officers and 60 teachers and tutors in public learning institutions, while strengthening community governance systems to support sustainable natural resource management.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY 2024 IN EMALI.

Hundreds of women and girls gathered in Emali town on Thursday to undergo clinical screenings for diabetes and hypertension as they marked world contraception day.

The event, organized by the Makueni County Government in collaboration with various partners, aimed to empower women and girls by providing information and resources on contraceptive options.

Dr. Harvey Mulei, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource Management and Administration, led the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and wanted.

He also noted that Emali Hospital has been upgraded and gazetted as a Level 4 facility, with plans underway to establish a surgical theater and install additional medical equipment.

Dr. Mulei further pledged that the county would mobilize more resources and secure funding to enhance access to quality contraceptive services.

He urged residents along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway to remain vigilant against mpox.

Additionally, Dr. Mulei encouraged locals to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) starting October 1st, to ensure access to medical services.

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