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MAKUENI COUNTY MOURNS THE SUDDEN PASSING OF DR. SONIA NZILANI

A somber mood engulfed the Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home on Saturday as family, friends, and leaders from both Makueni and Machakos counties gathered to receive the body of the late Dr. Sonia Nzilani, the Makueni CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, who led the procession, described Dr. Nzilani’s death as shocking and deeply unexpected, noting that she had appeared healthy, vibrant, and full of energy. He assured the public that his government would work closely with family to uncover the cause of her sudden passing on awaiting postmortem.

Mutula paid a heartfelt tribute to Dr. Nzilani, calling her “a pillar of development” and a passionate environmentalist whose commitment to a progressive and sustainable Makueni was unmatched. “We have lost more than a CECM—we have lost a key stakeholder and a true champion of our community,” he said.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi, who was also present, praised Dr. Nzilani for her efforts to strengthen social and economic ties between the two counties. Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, along with several CECMs, MCAs, and Chief Officers from both counties, also attended to pay their respects.

Makueni County Marks Safer Internet Day

On the 7th February 2023, the county government through the Department of ICT, Education and Internship hosted this years’ Safer Internet day in Makueni. The two day celebration was held in collaboration with Eveminet Communication Solutions Limited, an organization that is a Safer partner with Meta, TikTok and Google in Sub Saharan Africa and operating in the Education and Technology (Ed-Tech) Industry. The theme for this year was ‘Together For a Better Internet’.
The celebrations looked at a series of Online Safety roundtable engagements aimed at showcasing Innovative and Strategic advancements towards protecting children on the online space together with creating awareness and building capacities to all the players within the ecosystem of the child.
Stakeholders from key sectors around the children ecosystem were present with representation from KESSHA, Makueni Students Association, CIC and CTTI officers, students from Wote PWD centre, Ukia,Wote, Kathonzweni CICs and participation of Makueni boys and Ukia girls high schools.

MAKUENI COUNTY MARKED THIS YEAR’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Makueni County Marked this year’s World Environment Day with a commitment to accelerated land restoration and drought resilience through re-engineering agricultural practices, community driven afforestation programs, protection of key water towers, building sand dams, surface runoff water harvesting and investment in solar energy to reduce pressure on wood fuel.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment and Climate Change Nicholas Nzioka who led the celebration at Thange said Makueni is working with other partners to build a sustainable environment for all.

Makueni County links tech systems with KEMSA to ensure health supplies efficiency.

Makueni County Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has kicked off efforts to streamline the procurement of health commodities to boost healthcare delivery in the county.
 
The streamlining efforts will involve integrating and enhancing information technology (IT) based systems to power the procurement and distribution of health commodities. 
 
Speaking when he paid a courtesy call to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer Ms. Terry Ramadhani, Kilonzo Jnr said the county has undertaken to seal all loopholes facilitating loss of health commodities.
 
Based on an immediate needs assessment, the county, he said, has placed a Kshs 30 million order for essential medical supplies with KEMSA. The order comprises Oncology, Renal, surgical and related items, including Laboratory, Radiology, Dental and Linen items.
 
While imploring KEMSA leadership to provide the necessary support, the county, he added, will maintain a prudent just-in-time procurement plan for health supplies to avoid overstocking and stockout scenarios.
 
“In Makueni County, we have committed to providing the best healthcare possible. This cannot be possible if we continue to lose medicines ordered from KEMSA or cannot account for the supplies delivered,” he said. He added, “We have immediate plans to fully integrate our technology systems to provide end-to-end visibility and enhance our procurement planning and budget cycles.”
 
On her part, KEMSA CEO Ms Ramadhani welcomed Makueni County’s commitment to adopt technology systems and confirmed that the Authority is now banking on IT systems in its operations. The county, she said, will be seamlessly linked to the KEMSA Logistics Management Information System (LMIS) and the KEMSA Electronic Proof of Deliveries (e-POD App).
 
She said that by integrating systems, KEMSA and Makueni County would enjoy end-to-end visibility of the pharmaceutical inventories across the health commodities value chain.
 
“The focus by Makueni County to ensure a system-wide assurance of all deliveries from KEMSA is a welcome development. Such systems alignments will allow KEMSA and Makueni county to enjoy mutual integrity assurances and curb losses or financial inefficiencies including overstocking or delayed procurement,” she said. Adding that, “These systems will facilitate better operating information visibility across the supply chain system and contribute to inventory accuracy at the operating levels.” 
 
In the current order placed by Makueni, 240 rural health facilities, and 13 hospitals spread across the county’s six sub-Counties, will receive their supplies next week to boost primary and secondary healthcare goals.

MAKUENI COUNTY, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD PARTNER TO EMPOWER YOUTH WITH SKILLS AND START-UP SUPPORT

The County Government of Makueni has partnered with Light for the World Kenya to equip youth with both soft and technical skills in a transformative training initiative.

The programme has already made a huge impact in Kibwezi West, where 18 out of 25 trainees successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship after completing a six-month training course.

The young entrepreneurs also received start-up grants to help launch and grow their businesses.

Building on this success, the County on Tuesday flagged off another cohort of 40 youth living with disabilities from Wote Municipality.

The training, launched by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, will see 20 participants begin immediately in the first phase, with sessions running through to December.

As part of the county’s broader inclusivity agenda, Mulili affirmed plans to allocate market spaces for persons with disabilities, enabling them to establish and operate their businesses sustainably.

MAKUENI COUNTY LEADS IN CHILD WELL-BEING WITH BOLD POLICIES, INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS & SMART INVESTMENTS

Makueni County has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rights and welfare of children through comprehensive policies, programs, and investments.

County First Lady Anita Mutula in her speech during the national celebrations for the Day of the African Child held at Unoa grounds, Wote, in Makueni, said the County has employed a holistic approach to child protection, education, health, and social well-being, aligning with the broader goals of the Day of the African Child.

Key achievements towards protecting rights of children highlighted by the County First Lady include:

1. Establishment of an office to oversee children’s affairs and act as an ombudsman for child rights.

2. Allocation of annual budgets specifically for children’s programs in social protection, education, and health.

3. Development of the Makueni County Children Policy (2021), a framework to safeguard child rights and welfare.

4. Establishment of the Makueni County Child Rescue Center to support child victims of violence, street children, and other vulnerable minors.

5. Provision of dignity packs to needy girls and boys in vulnerable households.

6. Improving access to health commodities and treatment for women and children.

7. Establishment of GBV Recovery Centre with Child Section to assist child survivors of gender-based violence.

8. Construction and equipment of Early Childhood Development and Education centers to enhance early learning.

9. Employed ECDE teachers on permanent terms to improve education quality.

10. Provision of mobility assistive devices to enhance communication and support inclusion.

The national event was graced by Kenya’s First Lady, Rachael Ruto among other high ranking national and county government personalities.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES RURAL ELECTRIFICATION DRIVE IN KAKO-WAIA AND KALAWA WARDS

The Makueni County Government has rolled out a new electricity connectivity initiative targeting key public facilities in Kako-Waia and Kalawa Wards.

The program, led by the Department of Transport, Energy, and Infrastructure, will see the installation of transformers to power the Wambiti Warehouse in Kako, Waia Ward, as well as Kathulumbi Dispensary, Mutembuku CTTI, Mutanda CTTI, and Kalawa Market in Kalawa Ward.

Speaking during the launch on Thursday, county officials emphasized that the project aims to boost access to reliable electricity in rural institutions, supporting local economic growth and improving service delivery.

The initiative is part of Makueni’s broader rural electrification agenda implemented in collaboration with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). Officials noted that the county remains committed to ensuring equitable energy access across all wards to spur development and enhance livelihoods.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES PHASE THREE OF DRIVER TRAINING

The Makueni County Government on Wednesday launched Phase Three of its youth driving training programme at Kee Market, enrolling 33 youths from Kee Ward for a two-month course aimed at equipping them with driving skills and enabling them to acquire driving licences.

The programme, implemented for the third year in Kee Ward, is being rolled out across three wards. It was launched on Tuesday in Masongaleni Ward, where 46 youths are benefiting, and is scheduled to reach Tulimani Ward next week.

County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, said the initiative is designed to enhance youth employability by providing practical, market-driven skills.

Kee Ward MCA Albanus Manzu praised Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for supporting the programme, describing it as a critical step in expanding economic opportunities for young people.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES MULTI-MILLION SHILLING EQUIPMENT ROLLOUT TO 47 VOCATIONAL CENTERS.

In a significant move to modernize technical education and bridge the local labor market gap, the County Government of Makueni has today launched a massive distribution of high-tech vocational equipment to 47 Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) across the county.⁣

The exercise, which is part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s broader youth empowerment agenda, saw senior county officials accompanied by members of the county assembly fan out across the region to ensure the immediate delivery of tools ranging from ICT hardware to heavy industrial machinery.⁣

⁣Leading the rollout, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT, Education, and Internships, Japheth Mang’oka, visited Tulimani and Kakuswii VTCs. Simultaneously, the department’s Chief Officer, Irene Makau, oversaw deliveries at Masumba and Itaa VTCs, marking the start of a countywide logistical operation.⁣

⁣The newly distributed consignment includes a comprehensive array of tools designed to support modern curricula ranging from: Engineering & Construction, Textiles & Design, Food & Beverage, Digital Skills, Innovative Building among others.⁣

⁣Speaking during the launch at Tulimani VTC, Mr. Mang’oka emphasized that this equipment is not just an administrative upgrade but a strategic investment in the county’s human capital.⁣

⁣”This is about future-proofing our workforce,” Mang’oka stated. “By modernizing these workshops, we are ensuring that Makueni’s young people have access to industry-standard training that meets the demands of todays job & business market.”⁣

⁣The initiative follows recent county efforts to enhance youth employability, including the 𝘔𝘢𝘬𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘪–𝘒𝘊𝘉 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 2𝘑𝘪𝘢𝘫𝘪𝘳𝘪 partnership, which has already seen hundreds of youth transition from training to active employment.⁣

⁣Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration has consistently prioritized VTCs as the “engine rooms” of the county’s economy. By equipping 47 centers—many in remote areas—the government aims to decentralize high-quality technical education, allowing students to gain competitive skills without leaving their home wards.⁣

⁣Chief Officer Irene Makau noted that the equipment would be paired with continued instructor training to ensure the maximum return on investment. “Our focus is the quality of the graduate. We want a student from Masumba VTC to be as competent and tech-savvy as any technician in the country,” she said.⁣

⁣The distribution exercise is expected to continue throughout the week, covering all sub-counties and ensuring that every registered VTC in Makueni is fully kitted for the upcoming term.

MAKUENI COUNTY LAUNCHES LEGAL CLINIC ON LAND SUCCESSION.

The Office of the County Attorney on Wednesday rolled out a legal clinic in Kathonzweni Ward to educate residents on land succession laws and provide free legal assistance.

The initiative aims at clarifying the law of succession, including procedures for inheritance when a person dies intestate and the legal steps required to transfer property to rightful beneficiaries.

The exercise in Kathinzweni was led by County Solicitor, Jennifer Kyumwa.

The legal clinics will offer vulnerable citizens free legal support on land and succession matters.

Speaking during the exercise, area MCA Hon. Kennedy Maneno noted that the exercise provided residents with vital information on the legal documents necessary for inheritance and land ownership.

This initiative, funded through the Ward Development Fund, will extend to other six wards: Emali/Mulala, Wote/Nziu, Kitise/Kithuki, Kasikeu, Tulimani, and Kithungo/Kitundu.

By addressing land succession challenges, the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of empowering communities with legal knowledge and ensuring the fair distribution of property among rightful heirs.