News

MAKUENI, NAIROBI RIVERS COMMISSION SCALE UP WATER PROTECTION EFFORTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday hosted the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) led by chairperson Dr. Pamela Olet for a discussion on joint efforts to safeguard Nairobi river basin water resources against pollution.

Mulili affirmed the county government’s commitment to environmental sustainability while insisting on the importance of inter-county partnerships in tackling contamination of water sources especially through industrial effluents and untreated sewerage.

Makueni is among counties bearing the brunt of water contamination from the upstream of River Athi.

Makueni, NACADA Agree to a Joint Offensive Against Drug Abuse

National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse(NACADA) has pledged support to Makueni County in dealing with alcoholism and drug abuse which is highly prevalent in the county.

During a courtesy call to Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili in her office, Wote, on Monday, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Victor Okioma said the authority will support Makueni in policy and legal frameworks, training of recovery coaches to mentor victims as well as capacity building for the personnel involved in the campaign.

Mulili said the County Government is working to establish a recovery centre where victims will be treated and fully rehabilitated.

MAKUENI MOVES TOWARDS GREEN FUTURE WITH ENERGY POLICY VALIDATION

The County Energy Directorate in collaboration with Strathmore University and the World Resources Institute, on Wednesday hosted a validation meeting for the draft Makueni Energy Policy.

The session brought together members of the County Executive Committee to review and strengthen the policy framework.

Anchored in the Energy Act 2019 and the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the policy is set to guide the county in planning, regulating and rolling out sustainable energy initiatives.

Its goal is to ensure all residents have access to modern energy that is sustainable, affordable, reliable and secure.

Present at the validation meeting were CECMs Eng. Peter Mumo (Transport and Energy), Japheth Mang’oka (Lands), Eng. John Kieti (Water), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa and Chief Officer for Energy Eng. Naomi Nthambi.

MAKUENI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN CREATIVE INDUSTRY THROUGH ARTIST TRAINING

The Government of Makueni County on Thursday partnered with the Kenya Copyright Board and the Permanent Presidential Music Commission to train local artists on copyright protection, royalty collection and opportunities in the creative industry.

The workshop brought together artists from across the county and focused on helping them understand intellectual property rights and ways of earning from their creative work.

Speaking during the forum, Ag. CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Nicholas Nzioka said the county is committed to supporting local talent through programs that create growth and employment opportunities.

Deputy Director Sharon Wata encouraged artists to register their music and content to protect their work and access royalties.

The event was also attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Tourism and Culture Chief Officer Jossylin Mutua and other county officials.

MAKUENI MOVES TO STRENGTHEN CERVICAL CANCER PREVENTION AND CARE.

The Department of Health Services, in partnership with the University of Nairobi through the ACES Fellowship Kenya on Women’s Health and Cervical Cancer Prevention, on Tuesday convened a high-level policy engagement forum aimed at stepping up the fight against cervical cancer in Makueni.

The forum, held in the county, brought together key stakeholders to review current service delivery, identify existing barriers, and chart practical strategies to strengthen prevention, early detection, and management of the disease.

Members of the County Assembly Health Committee , Elizabeth Muthike, Brian Nzoka, Budget Committee Chair Hon. Denis Musyoka, and Elizabeth Mutindi joined the County Health Management Team in robust discussions that generated actionable recommendations.

Stakeholders praised Makueni for its progress in cancer management but emphasized the need to scale up public awareness and advocacy on cervical cancer screening.

They noted that increasing access to timely screening and treatment would be critical in reducing preventable deaths among women.

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 Moves to Lift Vulnerable Households Out of Extreme Poverty

The Government of Makueni County is strengthening efforts to tackle extreme poverty through the Makueni County Ultra-Poor Graduation framework, aimed at empowering vulnerable households, towards sustainable livelihoods and economic independence.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Wednesday joined CECMs, the technical team and other county officials in an engagement to review and present the proposed County Ultra-Poor Graduation Regulations, 2026, developed in partnership with Village Enterprise.

Several wards have been earmarked for the programme, with Kikumbulyu North allocated KSh5 million in the current financial year to support 108 villages. The initiative seeks to equip vulnerable households with opportunities and support to improve their livelihoods.

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.