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MAKUENI CONDUCTS FACILITY ASSESSMENT FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF ADDITIONAL GENDER BASED VIOLENCE RECOVERY CENTER.

The Department of health in collaboration with the department of gender,children,youth,sports and social services and Cheshire Disability Services Kenya, on Friday conducted a facility assessment at Mbooni Sub County Hospital towards an establishment of a Gender-Based Violence Recovery Center.

The assessment, led by Health Services Gender-Based Violence Focal person Theresia Maweu, brought together the stakeholders to evaluate requirements for setting up the centre at Mbooni Sub County Hospital, including space, services and coordination mechanisms needed to effectively support victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

The deputy programme manager of Cheshire disability services Kenya Dr.George Shimanyula expressed their commitment to the collaboration emphasizing the importance of a coordinated approach in addressing Gender Based Violence,noting that the proposed centre will strengthen response systems and ensure victims and survivors receive timely and holistic support.

The assessment will also continue at all the sub county hospitals with the aim of decentralizing the GBVRC at makueni county referral hospital to increase accessibility to residents across the county.

Once operational, the centres are expected to benefit affected residents by improving access to integrated services such as medical care, psychosocial support and legal assistance.

This will reduce the burden of seeking help from multiple facilities and enhancing protection, dignity and recovery for victims and survivors across Makueni County.

MAKUENI CONCLUDES LANDMARK MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM

Makueni County, in partnership with Nutrition International, has successfully concluded the Maternal, Neonatal, Child, Adolescent Health, and Nutrition (MNCAHN) program, which has been in implementation since 2020.

The multi-faceted initiative aimed at scaling up cost-effective, high-impact nutrition interventions while strengthening the foundation for sustainable nutrition programming.

Through this collaboration, the county effectively rolled out various interventions outlined in the Makueni County Action Plan (2020-2023).

One of the program’s key milestones was the development of the Makueni County Multi-Sectoral Food and Nutrition Security Policy 2024, which is now awaiting cabinet approval before presentation to the county assembly for adoption.

Additionally, the county introduced Kangaroo Mother Care Centers in six hospitals to enhance the management of preterm and underweight infants among other achievements.

The program boosted maternal and child health indicators. Notably:

115% of pregnant women attended at least one antenatal care (ANC) visit, surpassing the annual target.

68% of expectant mothers completed four or more ANC visits.

95% of pregnant women received iron and folic acid supplementation.

84% of births were assisted by skilled healthcare providers.

78% of newborns received clean cord care using Chlorhexidine (CHX).

Speaking during the program’s closeout meeting on Friday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili urged other departments to collaborate with the Health Department to integrate nutrition services and expand their reach.

She was accompanied by County Assembly Health Committee Chair Hon. Jackson Mbalu, as well as Finance and Health Services CECs Damaris Kavoi and Dr. Paul Musila.

Makueni Coffee Farmers To Receive Sh 4.7 Million Worth of Cherry Fund to Enhance Coffee Production

At least 1000 coffee farmers from Kikima Farmers Cooperative Society are beneficiaries of Sh.4.7 Million worth of cherry Fund to boost coffee production and productivity.
This is one of the areas of collaboration between the county government of Makueni and the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union(New KPCU) to revamp the coffee sector in Makueni.
During the official launch of the Cherry Fund at Mulima Coffee factory on Thursday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr announced that his administration will make plans to provide fertilizer and other farm inputs for improved coffee production.
Farmers were sensitized on best agriculture practices for maximum coffee profitability, ahead of a benchmark tour to Mukarimu Farm in Meru, the best coffee farmer in Kenya.

Makueni Coffee Farmers Gain Valuable Insights to Enhance Production and Profitability from Meru Educational Tour

A delegation of 32 coffee farmers from Makueni led by the County’s Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti on Tuesday concluded a two-day educational tour in Meru County. The tour to Mukarimu Farm, owned by Charles Mutwiri, a renowned coffee farmer in the country, provided valuable insights into best agricultural practices.

Key highlights of the educational tour include:

1. Proper Crop Establishment and Canopy Management: The emphasis on proper crop establishment and canopy management indicates a focus on optimizing the growth and health of coffee plants. This is crucial for maximizing yield and ensuring the long-term sustainability of coffee farming.

2. High-Quality Coffee Variety: The promotion of high-quality coffee variety underscores the importance of selecting and cultivating coffee plants that yield superior-quality beans. This can contribute to the production of premium coffee products, enhancing the market value of the local coffee.

3. Good Governance of Cooperatives: The mention of good governance in cooperatives suggests that the tour also addressed the organizational and managerial aspects of coffee farming. Efficient cooperative governance is essential for fair distribution of benefits, transparent decision-making, and overall success in the coffee industry.

The fact that the tour was sponsored by the County Government of Makueni demonstrates a commitment to the development of the local coffee sector. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s  administration’s efforts to revamp the Makueni coffee sector indicate a strategic approach to achieving maximum gains for coffee farmers in the region.

Prior initiatives, such as the disbursement of Sh. 4.7 Million worth of Cherry Fund in partnership with the New KPCU PLC , further highlights the commitment to supporting farmers in adopting modern and sustainable farming practices. This financial support aims to increase coffee yields and improve overall farming practices in the region.

The positive response from the farmers, expressing their commitment to implementing the practices they learned during the tour, indicates that the initiative was well-received. The farmers view the tour as an eye-opener to profitable and sustainable coffee farming, suggesting that they are motivated to apply the knowledge gained to enhance their own coffee production.

MAKUENI CHOSEN FOR FIRST-EVER EMERGENCY RESPONSE PILOT.

Makueni County has been selected as the pilot site for a groundbreaking four-year Highway Emergency Response Program launched by St. John’s Kenya.

The project, which will stretch along the busy Mombasa–Busia highway, aims to improve emergency medical care at accident-prone zones. It will establish 19 first aid stations, 4 trauma centers, and deploy 4 state-of-the-art ambulances staffed with trained paramedics to deliver timely post-crash care.

Speaking when he visited Makueni County headquarters, Dr. Robert Mutula, Chair of St. John’s Kenya, confirmed that Makueni will receive one ambulance, three First Aid posts, and one trauma center as part of the first phase. The national launch is scheduled for November this year in Emali Town.

Dr. Mutula further committed to making Makueni an emergency response hub for the Lower Eastern region by training local community members, including the Bodaboda operators in basic First Aid and victim assessment. Plans also include setting up a major blood transfusion center to serve accident victims in the region.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hailed the initiative, calling it a God-sent opportunity that will ease the burden of disaster response along the heavily trafficked Mombasa Road, notorious for frequent and often fatal accidents.

Other key officials in attendance included Dr. Alex Muturi (St. John’s Council Member), Paul Ngugi (St. John’s CEO), CECM Health Joyce Mutua, Dr. Harvey Mulei (Chief Officer – Health HR & Admin), and Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi (Acting Chief Officer – Health), among others

MAKUENI CHOIR TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WINNERS CONCERT.

The Makueni County choir had the honor of performing at the Winners Concert, held on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya.

The concert celebrated creme de la creme performances from the recently concluded Kenya Music and Cultural Festival, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and diversity.

The performance was attended by several senior government officials, including Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Ms. Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture & Heritage, and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Makueni’s CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism.

MAKUENI CHOIR HEADS TO ELDORET IN STYLE

The Makueni County Choir has been officially flagged off to represent the county at the annual Kenya Music and Cultural Festival in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu.

Entering the competition as the reigning overall choir champions, the choir will showcase their talent in set piece, own composition, mixed voices, zilizopendwa, adaptation arrangements, gospel pieces, and more.

During the prayer-filled flag-off ceremony, Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer, Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani reaffirmed the county’s dedication to nurturing talent.

She noted that such platforms not only inspire creativity but also position Makueni’s artists for commercial growth and national recognition.

With confidence and artistry, the team carries the pride of Makueni to Eldoret—ready to defend their crown.

MAKUENI CHAMPIONS RESTORATION OF 200,000HA OF DEGRADED LAND ECOSYSTEMS

Makueni County on Saturday joined the rest of the World in commemorating International Day of Forests at KALRO Kiboko, under the theme Forests and Economics, where attendees planted over 1,000 tree seedlings.

Leading the exercise, Chief Officer for Environment, Natural Resources, Mining and Climate Change Dr. Ngovi Muthoka encouraged residents to plant trees extensively, highlighting their role in restoring degraded land, improving livelihoods through products such as fruits and timber and boosting agricultural productivity.

Ngovi said the county government targets the restoration of 200,000 hectares of degraded land in Makueni as part of a broader effort to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.

The exercise was also graced by key partners including the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Red Cross Society, Hatua Achievers Association, ChildFund among others.

Makueni celebrates success of keeping babies HIV-Free

 
 
With smiles on their faces, a group of mothers from Makueni are celebrating the graduation of their children, not the ordinary graduation but all the 40 children are HIV-free born by HIV positive mothers.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr accompanied by Dr. Jennifer Galbraith, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)- Kenya Director for the Division of Global HIV and TB on Tuesday launched the county’s HIV transition roadmap – a key sustainability pillar for HIV programming as well as leading in the celebrations.
The support from the U.S. CDC and Makueni County is helping to eliminate pediatric HIV by 2027.
Governor Mutula termed stopping the transmission of HIV from mother to child as critical adding that no infant or young child should acquire HIV when there are universally accessible medicines to prevent such from happening.
However, he assured the County will revamp HIV awareness campaigns challenging men to take a central role in ensuring they get tested.
He praised the mothers for taking their antiretroviral medicine consistently and correctly, hence keeping their infants HIV-free during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding period.
Dr. Jennifer said due to the continued support in the County, HIV viral suppression stands at 96% saying if maintained then there will be reduced HIV transmission.

MAKUENI CELEBRATES SUCCESS AS 175 GRADUATE FROM ADDICTION

At least 175 addicts of drugs and substances abuse from Makueni have had a road to Damascus moment after undergoing rehabilitation and counselling by the department of health services.

The 175 graduated on Wednesday from different forms of addiction after an 8-week rehabilitation therapy by psychiatrists from the counselling unit based in the health department.

Some of those who were deeply immersed in different forms of addiction shared agonizing experiences of how their lives had turned upside down, from absconding work, school, neglecting families to sliding into depression.

The county government is working with other partners to re-integrate these champions back to the society and offer after care to prevent relapses to addiction.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili who graced the graduation ceremony at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote said the county government will budget for a rehabilitation centre to reach more people stuck in addiction.