lowereas
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering young people through agriculture, as Makueni takes a leading role in a major livestock value chain programme set to benefit over 26,000 youth.
The announcement was made during a high level consultative meeting held in Wote on April 28, 2026, where the governor hosted officials from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to discuss implementation of the initiative.
The five-year programme, Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs (CASHA), is funded by the Mastercard Foundation and will be rolled out across 15 counties, with Makueni identified as a strategic beneficiary.
Governor Kilonzo Jr. emphasized that his government will actively support the initiative to ensure it delivers meaningful economic opportunities for local youth. He highlighted livestock farming as a key sector with immense potential to drive employment, innovation, and income generation.
“Our goal is to transform agriculture into a modern, profitable, and youth driven sector. Through partnerships such as CASHA, we are creating pathways for young people to engage productively in the livestock value chain,” said the governor.
He further noted that the county will provide policy support, incentives, and coordination frameworks necessary to maximize the programme’s impact, positioning Makueni as a model for agricultural transformation.
FAO Kenya Assistant Country Representative Khamisi Williams commended the county leadership for its proactive approach, noting that strong collaboration between stakeholders will be essential in achieving sustainable results and expanding opportunities for youth in arid and semi-arid areas.
Also present at the meeting was Francis Mutuku, Chairperson of the County Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development.
With the rollout of the CASHA programme, Makueni is set to strengthen its position as a leader in youth empowerment through agriculture, leveraging strategic partnerships to unlock the full potential of the livestock sector.
ENDS///…
