GOVERNOR WAVINYA’S ADMINISTRATION CHAMPIONS GREEN TRANSITION AGENDA AT KEY ENVIRONMENT CONFERENCE

The County Government of Machakos, under the visionary leadership of H.E. Governor Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, made a remarkable impression at the 4th Environment Institute of Kenya (EIK) International Conference and Expo held at the Mombasa Continental Resort. The high-level conference has brought together environmental experts, policymakers, and leaders from across Africa to deliberate on strategies that will accelerate the continent’s climate and sustainability agenda.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti was represented by County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki, who led a strong delegation comprising CECM for Environment Mr. Onesmus Kuyu, Chief Officer Mr. Ngumbau, and senior officers from the Department of Environment. The Machakos team took part in discussions and panels focusing on sustainable environmental practices, green energy adoption, and climate-smart innovations.

Themed “Green Transition, Bold Actions: Accelerating Africa’s Climate Agenda,” the 2025 conference emphasized the importance of adopting practical, scalable solutions to combat climate change. Machakos County emerged as one of the most active participants, sharing its ongoing projects and policy approaches aimed at building climate resilience and promoting a sustainable future for residents.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Wavinya Ndeti, County Secretary Dr. Ndambuki reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to environmental protection and climate action. He highlighted Machakos’ progress in areas such as waste management, tree planting, and water conservation — describing them as key pillars in the county’s green transformation. He further noted that the county’s environmental agenda aligns with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CECM Onesmus Kuyu, underscored Machakos’ growing role as a leader in environmental innovation. He said the county has intensified efforts to promote recycling programs, renewable energy adoption, and community climate education. According to Kuyu, Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration continues to prioritize policies that empower local communities to be active participants in environmental sustainability.

During the three-day event, the Machakos delegation joined experts and stakeholders in exploring financing mechanisms for climate projects, environmental governance frameworks, and public-private partnerships for green growth. The team also shared success stories and innovations that have positioned Machakos as a county at the forefront of Kenya’s climate resilience efforts.

As the conference concluded, Machakos County’s participation was hailed as a model of county-level commitment to global climate goals. Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration reaffirmed its resolve to advance bold and practical actions toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future — solidifying Machakos’ place as a champion of Kenya’s green transition agenda.

MACHAKOS COUNTY DISPELS REPORTS OF UNPAID HEALTH STAFF, BLAMES CONTRACTOR FOR DELAYED WAGES

The County Government of Machakos has refuted claims that some health workers at Machakos Level 5 Hospital have gone for months without pay, clarifying that the affected individuals are not county employees but casual workers contracted through a private firm.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Justus Kasivu, dismissed the reports as misleading and aimed at tarnishing the image of Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration. He emphasized that all county-employed health workers have received their dues on time and that no salary arrears exist for staff under the official county payroll.

“We wish to clarify that the County Government of Machakos does not have any pending salary obligations for its payroll staff. The individuals whose wages have been delayed are casuals hired by a contractor providing cleaning services at the hospital,” Kasivu stated. “We empathize with them, but the responsibility to pay rests solely with the contractor, not the county government.”

Kasivu further noted that the county government had already fulfilled its contractual obligations to the firm, and investigations were underway to establish why the contractor had failed to pay the workers. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to upholding fairness and accountability in all its dealings with service providers.

The clarification comes in the wake of concerns raised by the Senate Committee on Health, which toured various health facilities in Machakos last week. While the senators commended Governor Wavinya for spearheading transformative reforms in the healthcare sector, they also expressed concern over the alleged delay in paying cleaners working as casuals at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

Kasivu took the opportunity to appeal to Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu to lobby the National Treasury to release funds owed to the county under the Social Health Authority (SHA). He revealed that Machakos County is owed KSh 750 million in pending SHA claims, which, if released, would significantly improve service delivery across health facilities.

“I urge Senator Kavindu to help us push the national government to release the funds due to Machakos. Once we receive the KSh 750 million in pending SHA claims, our health facilities will be in a much better position to serve our people effectively,” he said.

The county government has reiterated its dedication to ensuring timely payment of staff under its payroll and maintaining high standards of healthcare service delivery. Dr. Kasivu assured residents that the county remains focused on building a robust and transparent health system that prioritizes the welfare of both workers and patients. 

CECM SHARON MUTUA LEADS MACHAKOS' GREEN REVOLUTION: TURNING WASTE INTO WEALTH THROUGH CEMENT BAG RECYCLING

Machakos County is setting a new standard in environmental conservation and youth empowerment through an innovative recycling initiative that transforms used cement bags into valuable products. The program, spearheaded by the County Government of Machakos under the leadership of H.E. Governor Wavinya Ndeti, and championed by the CECM for Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Welfare, Hon. Sharon Mutua Muasya, is being implemented in partnership with Bamburi Cement Company.

The groundbreaking project, dubbed “Turning Waste Into Wealth,” aims to reduce pollution by upcycling discarded cement bags into items such as school bags, shopping bags, gym bags, and college handbags. The initiative was showcased today at Kyeemutheke Vocational Training Centre, where CECM Sharon Mutua Muasya led a delegation of top government officials and representatives from Bamburi Cement for a progress evaluation of the pilot phase under the upcoming Machakos Recyclers Chapter.

Speaking during the event, Sharon Mutua Muasya commended the trainees for their dedication and urged them to stay focused on their mission of protecting the environment through recycling and innovation. “This program is not just about cleaning up our environment — it’s about transforming lives,” she said. “We are empowering young people and women to see opportunity where others see waste. When we turn waste into wealth, we are not only saving our planet but also creating jobs and building sustainable livelihoods for our people.”

The training goes beyond recycling, offering participants lessons in computer skills, financial literacy, soap making, and other essential life skills to equip them for both personal and economic growth. Chief Officer for Gender and Social Welfare, Bernadette Wavinya, lauded the spirit of teamwork among the trainees, noting, “When you put ten candles in a dark room, the room will be brighter,” symbolizing the collective power of collaboration and purpose.

Representatives from Bamburi Cement, including Mr. Mohamed Mahsen, Manager of the Nairobi Grinding Plant, emphasized that the company’s mission is to empower communities through sustainable solutions. “Our goal is to teach people how to fish — to help them achieve self-reliance and prosperity through recycling,” he said. Ms. Jane Wangari, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, highlighted the importance of environmental clean-up as a gateway to youth and women’s empowerment, while Ms. Lilian Njiru, Head of CSR, commended the Machakos County team for their vision and partnership in promoting sustainability.

Also in attendance were senior county officials from the Department of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Welfare, who reaffirmed their support for expanding the initiative to other sub-counties.

As the pilot project gains momentum,CECM Sharon Mutua Muasya continues to champion a sustainable future for Machakos — one where waste management, environmental conservation, and economic empowerment go hand in hand.

MACHAKOS CECM FOR EDUCATION DR. CONSOLATA MUTISYA HOLDS KEY MEETING AHEAD OF MACHAKOS YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM GRADUATION CEREMONY

The Machakos County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, ECDE, and Vocational Training, Dr. Consolata Mutisya, on Tuesday convened a high-level meeting with managers from Mitaboni, Kitulu, Kyemutheke, Masii, and Matuu Vocational Training Centers to finalize preparations for the upcoming Machakos Youth Service (MYS) Graduation Ceremony, slated for November 4, 2025.

The meeting, held at the Department of Education offices, focused on coordination, logistics, and ensuring a smooth and successful event that will celebrate hundreds of young trainees who have completed technical and life skills training under the MYS program. Dr. Mutisya emphasized the importance of the ceremony as a milestone in empowering youth through practical, market-driven skills designed to promote self-employment and economic growth.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mutisya reaffirmed Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, noting that the program continues to transform lives across the county. “Under the visionary leadership of H.E. Governor Wavinya Ndeti, we are not only training our youth — we are shaping disciplined, skilled, and self-reliant citizens who can confidently face the demands of today’s job market,” she stated.

The CECM revealed that during the graduation ceremony, successful trainees will be issued with start-up toolkits, a strategic initiative aimed at helping them establish income-generating ventures immediately after graduation. This empowerment approach, she noted, ensures that the skills acquired in vocational training centers are translated into tangible opportunities for self-sustenance and community development.

Also in attendance were the Chief Officer for Vocational Training Centers, Dr. Juliana Wambua, and senior officers from the Department of Education. The officials expressed satisfaction with the preparations and reiterated the county government’s dedication to investing in technical and vocational education as a key driver for sustainable youth employment.

As anticipation builds ahead of the November 4 graduation, the initiative continues to stand as one of the flagship programs under Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration — a beacon of hope and transformation for Machakos youth seeking dignity through work, skills, and enterprise.