Makueni County is reeling from shock following the sudden death of Dr Sonia Nzilani, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism. She was found unresponsive at her Makindu home on Saturday morning, 22 November 2025.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior confirmed her passing and led the county in mourning a leader he described as exemplary and devoted. He hailed Dr Nzilani as a public servant whose dedication to community welfare and sustainable development shaped much of the county’s progress in recent years.
“Dr Nzilani lived for service. Her passion for the growth and wellbeing of this county was evident in everything she touched,” he said.
Her commitment to environmental conservation earned her the nickname “Syomiti,” a testament to her tireless efforts in tree planting and climate action across the region. Residents and colleagues alike recall her hands-on approach and strong belief in community-driven environmental protection.
Before her appointment to the county executive, Dr Nzilani built a reputable academic career. She served as a lecturer and head of the Department of Hydrology and Aquatic Sciences at South Eastern Kenya University. She held a PhD in Natural Resources and Life Sciences from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Austria, master’s degrees from universities in Spain and Italy, and a bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from Moi University.
With more than seventeen years of local and international experience, Dr Nzilani contributed significantly to research in aquaculture, fisheries, climate change and natural resource management, authoring over ten academic papers. She also founded the Kibwezi Center for Sustainability, an organisation focused on education, public health and environmental conservation.
Tributes continue pouring in from leaders and residents across Makueni, describing her as brilliant, compassionate and transformative. Funeral arrangements are underway, with the county government expected to accord her an official send-off in recognition of her service and legacy.
