Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Right) with his Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili (left) during the launch of the County Statistical Abstract. Photo by Gvns Press. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Tuesday boldly invited scrutiny of his administration after launching the Makueni County Statistical Abstract 2025 and the Ward Development Profiles, challenging Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to move beyond petitions and use data to strengthen oversight, legislation and service delivery.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Mutula said the documents represent the most comprehensive scorecard of his administration’s performance over the last three years, underscoring his government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and evidence-based decision-making.
“We have marked our exam. We have given it to you. We hope you are going to award us exceeding expectations,” Mutula said, describing the reports as more than routine publications but powerful instruments for measuring progress, tracking service delivery and anchoring policy decisions on verified data.
The Governor emphasized that from the onset, his administration made a deliberate choice to govern through facts, citizen priorities and credible statistics. The 2025 County Statistical Abstract, he noted, provides disaggregated and verified data on population trends, socio-economic indicators, service delivery and development patterns across the county.
“Statistics are the backbone of informed decision-making. Consistent publication of this data represents a significant leap in our pursuit of knowledge, progress and accountability,” he said.
However, it was Mutula’s pointed challenge to the County Assembly that took centre stage. Urging MCAs to fully embrace the documents, he asked them to use the data for meaningful oversight and legislation rather than confrontation.
“These documents must be tabled in the Assembly not just for noting, but for accountability,” the Governor said. “I have seen several petitions from members, especially around project completion. To avoid these petitions, I humbly ask: can we find a collaborative way of finalizing projects without quarrelling? Working together is not unconstitutional.”
Mutula stressed that development must remain people-centred, citing major investments in Early Childhood Development (ECD), including the construction of 119 ECD centres and the employment of 959 teachers at a cost of Sh65 million. He added that more teachers are set to be absorbed to strengthen the foundation of education in the county.
The Ward Development Profiles, according to the Governor, translate raw data into tangible outcomes by detailing projects, budgets and sectoral milestones achieved in every ward. “You will find projects, and you will find budgets. These results affirm our dedication to effective service delivery, resilience building and socio-economic development,” he said.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Senior Manager John Bore lauded Makueni for setting the pace in data-driven governance. He recalled the December 2022 Memorandum of Understanding signed between KNBS and the county government, describing it as a trailblazing partnership that inspired other counties.
“Makueni is one of the few counties with a statistics policy and a fully established directorate of statistics. KNBS has identified it as a modern county and a best practice model for others,” Bore said, noting that Makueni is the second county nationally, after Uasin Gishu, to produce the 2025 County Statistical Abstract.
Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu used the platform to renew calls for timely disbursement of funds from the National Treasury, warning that delayed allocations undermine devolution and punish ordinary citizens through stalled services and development.
As the documents were officially launched, Governor Mutula reiterated that the data now belongs to the people of Makueni. “This information empowers policymakers, partners, researchers and citizens to engage meaningfully and to hold all of us—elected and non-elected—accountable for the choices we make and the outcomes we deliver,” he said.
With the challenge now squarely before the MCAs, the Governor made it clear: the numbers are out, the scorecard is public, and accountability must follow.
