News

MAKUENI LAUNCHES DIGITAL FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VACCINATION DRIVE

Makueni County has launched a countywide Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination program aimed at controlling outbreaks and improving livestock productivity.

The exercise, officially launched in Makiou, Kilome Sub-County, is being implemented using a digital e-voucher system that registers each head of cattle through a muzzle-based identification process. Farmers will pay a subsidized fee of Ksh. 50 per cow, with all payments conducted online.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who led the launch, said the program is intended to safeguard farmers’ livelihoods by preventing the spread of the highly contagious disease. She urged livestock farmers to participate fully in the exercise and work closely with their cooperatives to ensure timely vaccination.

The vaccination drive will be rolled out across all wards in the county and coordinated through 13 cooperatives and farmer societies to ensure effective coverage and implementation.

County Executive Committee Members Elizabeth Muli (Agriculture) and Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution), as well as members of the County Assembly Agriculture Committee, attended the launch.

The program is expected to significantly reduce FMD outbreaks and improve milk and meat production in Makueni County.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES COUNTYWIDE TAX DISCOUNT ROADSHOW TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION

The Department of Finance on Monday launched a countywide tax discount roadshow aimed at encouraging traders to comply with tax obligations and enhance revenue collection across the county.

The initiative includes a tax discount programme running from March 9, 2026, targeting small-scale traders who form the majority of taxpayers in the county.

Under the programme, traders paying less than KSh 10,000 will receive a 10 percent discount, while those paying above KSh 10,000 will benefit from a five percent discount.

Speaking while flagging off the campaign at Wote Bus Park, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi emphasized the critical role of taxes in driving development across the county.

Kavoi also highlighted the benefits of the digitized tax payment systems, noting that residents can now conveniently access services without the need to travel long distances.

The five-day roadshow began on Monday and covered several areas including Wote, Kilala, Mukuyuni, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa and Mbumbuni, as part of efforts to reach traders directly and sensitize them on the tax discount initiative.

Makueni Launches Campaign to Rescue Mango Farmers from Pests

Mango actors in the country have launched a rigorous campaign towards establishment of Fruit Fly Free Zones (FFFZ) in Makueni County.

The campaign, launched at Kwakathoka Wednesday, provides an opportunity for the various actors in the mango value chain to interact and kick off activities geared towards reduction of mango losses due to fruit fly infestation in Makueni County and in Kenya at large.

The campaign also aims at sensitizing and creating awareness on fruit fly control and to create pest free areas. The outcomes of this campaign is expected to stimulate mango export and increase incomes for mango farmers and other value chain actors.

The campaign is driven by the county government, USAID, Feed the Future, Rockefeller foundation, and the Kenyan national government through various agro agencies.

The partners to this campaign have unveiled a raft of measures which will ensure a successful campaign, which include:

Working with five Integrated Pest Management technology providers and two mango cooperatives to promote adoption of IPM best practices;

The campaign will also involve training of 10,000 farmers, training 100 agro dealers and setting up of a distribution system, establishment of 120 demonstration orchards as well as holding 80 field days across the county.

Makueni launches Ajiry centre; to help youth find well-paying jobs

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday officially launched the Ajiry programme and Ajiry center at the Wote Green Park.

The Makueni Ajiry center will offer a wide range of services to the youth including; Digital skills training, mentorship, free access to music and podcast recording studios, and cyber security training and certification.

According to the ICT, Education, and Internship ECM, Elizabeth Muli, this initiative will enable the youth to participate fully in the digital economy and expose them to job opportunities and online markets.

She noted that the digital space will also offer the youth a music studio where they could participate in recording their talents in music, podcasts, and deejaying.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said that the impact of the center will not only be felt in the community but also beyond, adding that his administration has created a model that can be replicated in other parts of the country in empowering the youth to become change-makers in their own right.

He further said that the institution was a game changer in the quest for youth and women empowerment, digital skills, and the digital economy.

The programme is delivered in partnership with the Makueni county government, Tribus-TSG, a subsidiary of Centum Investment Company, and the Mastercard foundation.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES AJIRA KWA VIJANA PROGRAM AS OVER 2,200 YOUTHS SET TO BENEFIT

The Government of Makueni County has launched the Ajira kwa Vijana program, with Wote Nziu Ward becoming the first ward to implement the initiative aimed at empowering youths through short-term employment opportunities.

Speaking during the launch, CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, announced that the county has allocated Ksh 2 million for the program, benefiting over 582 casual workers in the ward.

The initiative involves mitre drain construction, bush clearing, and unclogging of culverts and drainage systems to improve infrastructure while creating income opportunities for young people.

Kyoni noted that the program will also be rolled out in Nguu/Masumba, Makindu, Nguumo and Kikumbulyu North wards this week, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to more than 2,200 youths.

Area MCA Felix Mateso commended the initiative, saying it will empower youths and contribute to environmental conservation and community development.

The program is part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s commitment to creating opportunities that enhance youth livelihoods and participation in development.

MAKUENI LAUDED FOR EXEMPLARY GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION AT PEER REVIEW SUMMIT

Makueni County has been feted for its outstanding public participation governance model by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) /African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Kenya Secretariat at the inaugural National County Peer Review Mechanism Summit held in Nairobi on Wednesday.

The County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) is a voluntary self-assessment tool for Kenyan counties, designed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, reinforcement of best practices, identification of deficiencies, and assessment of capacity-building needs to promote political stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Makueni, assessed alongside 11 other counties, scored an impressive 71% in public participation. The review, conducted by the CPRM’s Panel of Eminent Persons, involved citizen feedback on devolution since 2013 and covered four main thematic areas: Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Socio-Economic Development, and Corporate Governance.

The county was also commended for its Green Roads for Water initiative, which integrates water management and re-greening into road design.

Makueni also earned praise for automating its Own Source Revenue (OSR) collection, achieving a revenue target of Kshs. 1 billion in the 2023/24 financial year.

The Maisha Meds Inventory Management System in Makueni also impressed the Panel of Eminent Persons. They urged other counties to adopt similar systems, noting that it has significantly improved the security of commodities in Makueni.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr received accolades for his leadership and pledged to sustain and enhance the county’s performance to ensure continued satisfaction among residents. He was accompanied by Finance CEC Damaris Kavoi and Chief Officer Socio Economic Planning Boniface Mutua.

MAKUENI LAUDED FOR 39PC HEALTH BUDGET ALLOCATION.

The President and Chief Executive Officer of Jhpiego, Dr Allyson Bear, has commended Makueni County for allocating 39 per cent of its budget to health services, saying the commitment demonstrates the county’s determination to keep healthcare accessible to its people.

Dr Bear spoke during a cocktail dinner at the Radisson Blu Arboretum in Nairobi, attended by health sector stakeholders, including Kenya’s Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Judith Awinja, officials from the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization and the US Embassy, among others.

The event was held to celebrate partnerships that have contributed to improved health outcomes, particularly in maternal and child health.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili expressed appreciation to Jhpiego for its longstanding partnership with the county, saying the organisation had helped introduce innovative solutions that have improved maternal and child health services.

One of the key interventions introduced through the partnership is heat-stable carbetocin, popularly known in Makueni as “Kausha”, which is used to help prevent excessive bleeding after childbirth.

Through the AMPLI-PPH project, Makueni became one of the first counties to adopt new World Health Organization-recommended interventions for managing postpartum haemorrhage.

These included calibrated drapes for measuring blood loss and a rapid first-response treatment bundle.

The partnership has also transformed care for women living with obstetric fistula.

Together with Jhpiego, Makueni established a comprehensive fistula centre at the County Referral Hospital, which is now recognised as a model for routine fistula care in Kenya.

Beyond surgery, the programme provides counselling, rehabilitation, community integration and support aimed at restoring the dignity of women who have often suffered in silence for years.

In family planning, 55 per cent of mothers in Makueni leave health facilities with a family planning method within 48 hours of delivery, making the county a leading performer in Kenya on the indicator.

The county has also committed its own-source resources to sustain and scale up the innovations beyond the lifespan of donor-supported projects.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has been recognised as a champion of efforts to prevent and manage postpartum haemorrhage.

MAKUENI, KWS PARTNER TO END HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT IN KIBWEZI EAST

Makueni, KWS partner to End Human-wildlife Conflict in Kibwezi East

In a bid to mitigate the long-standing human-wildlife conflict in Kibwezi East, Makueni has partnered with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to extend the protective electric fence by 20km.

The new 20km Wandei- Ngomano section extends the initial 60km Kamunyu-Wandei fence earlier erected by the county government.

This expansion aims to establish a buffer between Tsavo East National Park and human settlements, effectively curbing the numerous attacks on humans by marauding animals, especially elephants.

The contract for this crucial extension was awarded in a ceremony presided over by KWS representative of Senior Assistant Director for Tsavo conservation area Jeremiah Rono, flanked by Environment Chief Officer Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi and Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi.

Makueni – Kisii peer learning

A team of technical officials from Kisii County has visited Makueni County offices in a mission to learn on various aspects of accounting, procurement, health and project implementation terming Makueni as a good study ground on how devolution has worked.

“Peer learning missions should be a dialogue for all to learn and critique one another. This way, devolution will make meaning to the people.” Said Adelina Mwau, Deputy Governor on Tuesday while receiving the Kisii delegation.

The objectives of the visit were; to study the best practices on internal financial control; procurement systems; payment system; documentation; financial reporting system; health matters and project implementation among many other areas of mutual interest.

Makueni has been hailed for implementing an efficient accounting system that has enabled the county to attain a clean audit nod by the Auditor General.

MAKUENI KICKS OFF PLANS TO ESTABLISH TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Makueni’s tourism directorate has set the ball rolling towards establishment of a Tourism Association to unite stakeholders and market the county as a top tourists destination. It will be modeled after the Kenya Coast Tourism Association.

During a stakeholder sensitization forum on Thursday, an interim committee was put in place to oversee the registration process and recruit more members.

The forum was led by Dr. Josselyn Nzilani, Chief Officer of Trade, Industry, Marketing, Culture, and Tourism, and attended by representatives from the Kenya Tourism Board, Tourism Regulatory Authority, and other industry players.