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MAKUENI COUNTY EXECUTIVE, ASSEMBLY HOLD JOINT CAPACITY- BUILDING SESSION ON KENYA DEVOLUTION SUPPORT PROGRAM

Makueni County convened a 2-day high-level consultative and capacity-building session bringing together members of the County Executive Committee and the County Assembly to deepen understanding and strengthen collaboration on the implementation of the Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II).

The sessions focused on equipping legislators with knowledge on the design, objectives, and operational framework of KDSP II — a World Bank–supported program aimed at enhancing county governance, institutional performance, and service delivery.

Speaking during the meeting, the County Executive Committee Member for Devolution, Nicholas Nzioka commended the County Assembly for its continued support in passing policy and legal frameworks that enhance fiscal discipline, planning, and performance management within the county.

He emphasized that joint engagement is critical in achieving the key results areas of KDSP II.

Devolution Chief Officer , Daniel Ndolo noted that through the Governance and Institutional Support Grant, the county will implement reforms in planning, financial management, and human resource systems, while the Service Delivery Investment Grant (SDIG) will finance critical infrastructure in sectors such as agriculture, health, transport, and disaster management.

Makueni County Establishes Climate Change Stakeholders Coalition for Unified Adaptation Efforts

The Department of Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment, and Climate Change in Makueni has officially launched a Climate Change Stakeholders coalition with the aim of orchestrating concerted efforts in climate change adaptation.

This coalition unites various stakeholders, including government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), Academia, and environmental advocates. Its primary objective is to facilitate collaboration among these entities and formulate a comprehensive strategy for coordinated climate change adaptation within the county.

The inaugural event took place on Tuesday in Wote, presided over by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili. It was graced by the presence of County Executive Committee Member Sonia Nzilani, Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, and members of the Makueni Climate Change Fund Management Board.

MAKUENI COUNTY ENGAGES CITIZENS TO PRIORITIZE 2025-26 PROJECTS

Wote: August 13th 2024

Makueni County Treasury has kicked off public participation forums at the ward level to engage citizens in prioritizing projects and programs for implementation during the 2025-26 financial year. The forums aim to incorporate citizens’ views into the County Annual Development Plan (CADP) 2025-26, which will form the basis for the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-27.

The meetings are scheduled to take place today in 15 wards, with the remaining wards to be engaged on Thursday. The County Committee Member for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, Damaris Kavoi, officially opened the Wote ward forum at Wote Social Hall on Tuesday.

In her address, Kavoi highlighted a significant budget cut of Kshs. 430 million due to reduced allocation from the National Treasury. This reduction impacts planned projects and programs at the ward level. She assured County residents that the County Government is actively seeking solutions to address the deficit and ensure continued service delivery to residents.

The theme of the current Annual Development Plan is “Stimulating Local Economies for Shared Prosperity. “

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY AND WRI FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

In a bid to foster sustainable energy development, Makueni County has joined forces with Strathmore University and WRI in an energy training collaboration. Spearheaded by the Housing and Energy Directorate, the collaborative workshop aimed at bolstering energy-saving initiatives across various government departments, marking a significant leap towards sustainable energy development.

The workshop convened teams from health, energy, agriculture, and water departments for an in-depth exploration of energy management strategies. Spearheaded by Housing and Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi, the training emphasized the pivotal role of energy conservation in the county.

Eng. Nthambi shed light on the Makueni County Energy Plan and ongoing pilot projects geared towards enhancing energy efficiency. Participants delved into crucial topics such as Energy Management Regulations and Appliance Energy Performance during interactive discussions.

Expanding its reach, the workshop included a specialized session for Technical Working Group and Facility Managers, who actively delved into practical implementation strategies for energy management county-wide.

Key takeaways from facility managers highlighted the importance of finalizing the Energy Planning Process, establishing Facility-Level Energy Management Teams, and fostering communication and collaboration among teams. The discussion also stressed the significance of implementing mechanisms for Monitoring, Control, and Reporting, alongside regular policy reviews to adapt to evolving energy management practices.

Covering practical aspects including Energy Management Systems and Lighting Systems, this collaborative effort underscores Makueni County’s steadfast commitment to forging a sustainable future through informed energy practices.

MAKUENI COUNTY EMPOWERS YOUTH WITH MOTORBIKES IN KIKUMBULYU SOUTH

Makueni County Government on Friday empowered youth in Kibwezi Kikumbulyu South Ward through the issuance of 16 motorbikes to support boda boda transport and small-scale business ventures, as part of its ongoing youth economic empowerment programme.

The initiative, spearheaded by the County Government under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., aims to enhance youth livelihoods, promote self-employment, and reduce unemployment across the county.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the motorbikes are meant to provide sustainable income opportunities and urged beneficiaries to take good care of the assets to ensure long-term benefits. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to scaling up youth empowerment initiatives.

Kikumbulyu South Ward Representative Jades Kalunda commended the county government for prioritising youth empowerment and called on young people to actively participate in government programmes.

MAKUENI COUNTY EMPOWERMENT FUND DIGITIZATION WINS PRAISE AT NATIONAL DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE

Makueni County’s digital transformation of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) procedures has been recognized as a pioneering achievement at this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, officially opened by President William Ruto on Wednesday.

The digitization, developed in partnership with Safaricom, aligns perfectly with the conference’s focus on leveraging technology to bridge socio-economic gaps.

The re-engineered MCEF platform will streamline access to startup capital for social enterprises and community groups.

The upgraded fund is set for official rollout next month, empowering more beneficiaries with timely, equitable support.

MAKUENI COUNTY DISTRIBUTES MOSQUITO NETS TO NEW MOTHERS TO STRENGTHEN MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

Makueni County Government, through the Department of Health Services, on Wednesday distributed mosquito nets and essential food supplies to new and young mothers at the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital as part of ongoing efforts to protect mothers and newborns from preventable diseases.

The exercise was led by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili alongside Health County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua, who emphasized the County’s commitment to safeguarding maternal and child health under the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The mosquito nets were provided by the County Government to help prevent malaria among mothers and infants, while food supplies and milk were issued to support nutrition for both mothers and children.

Addressing health workers later during an engagement forum, Mulili commended health workers for maintaining quality service delivery during the festive season, citing positive performance reports across health facilities.

She reaffirmed the County’s commitment to strengthening the health sector and ensuring that all mothers receive quality, dignified and accessible healthcare.

MAKUENI COUNTY DISABILITY POLICY DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services on Wednesday held a stakeholders’ engagement forum to review the draft Makueni County Disability Policy.

The forum, supported by Women Challenged to Challenge and the United Disabled Persons of Kenya, aimed to address the needs and concerns of people living with disabilities in the county.

Key discussions focused on inclusivity, the welfare of persons with disabilities, and the protection of their rights, in a bid to improve outcomes for the disabled community.

Makueni County Crowned SDG Champion

Makueni County has once again been named Kenya’s best-performing county in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), winning the prestigious award for the sixth consecutive year. The accolade was presented to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. by Florence Syevuo, Executive Director of the SDG Forum Kenya, on Wednesday during a ceremony at his Wote office.

The county’s success is anchored on innovative policies like the Makueni Universal Health Policy 2020 and Climate Change Fund Regulations 2015, addressing healthcare access, climate resilience, and social inclusion. By aligning SDGs with its County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027 and Annual Development Plans, Makueni ensures precise progress tracking and impactful implementation.

Institutional frameworks, including a dedicated SDGs Coordinating Unit and grassroots SDG champions, have bolstered coordination and community ownership. Creative outreach, such as translating SDGs into the Kamba dialect and the SDG anthem by the Makueni Choir, has deepened public awareness.

Another contributing factor is partnerships with organizations like the World Resources Institute and Strathmore University which have enhanced capacity-building and the integration of global sustainability practices. Robust data tools, including an SDG Indicator Handbook, have also supported evidence-based decision-making and accountability.

Lauding Makueni’s leadership, Syevuo noted, “Makueni has proven that sustainable development is achievable through visionary leadership and community involvement, setting a benchmark for others to follow.”