Winfred Yavi, the reigning World Athletics 3000m steeplechase Gold Medalist on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in the company of her parents.
During the meeting, she commended efforts of the county government in the sports industry, particularly highlighting the establishment of sports talent centers. The County has two such centers in the lowlands and is planning to establish two more in the high-altitude areas of Kaiti and Mbooni
Additionally, they discussed on potential collaboration in sports promotion and mentorship.
Makueni County Government through the department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism under the leadership of Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyne Mutua participated in the Marketing Society of Kenya Marketers Conference on 26th & 27th October 2023 in Mombasa, an annual event that brought together marketing professionals, industry experts, and thought leaders to exchange knowledge, ideas, and insights on emerging trends and best practices in the field of marketing. In its 3rd Edition, the conference aimed to explore the theme “Harnessing disruptive innovation for marketing success” with a focus on how best to leverage disruptive innovation to drive successful marketing campaigns and achieve business growth. The conference covered a wide range of subjects, including customer centric marketing, data analytics, Mobile marketing, customer experience, digital marketing, and more. This conference came at a time that the Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism is in the process of restructuring the county marketing unit to facilitate efficient delivery of their roles. The marketing officers had the opportunity to meet marketing experts that could help address some of organization’s biggest marketing challenges in the trade, production and hospitality sectors and effectively learned, connected and shared experiences with fellow marketers.
The Objectives of the MSK Marketers Conference
Gain valuable knowledge, best practices, and actionable insights that can be applied to improve marketing of Makueni produce, products and services.
To familiarize the department with latest trends, technologies, and strategies in the market for effective delivery of the county marketing roles.
Meet and network with like-minded professionals, share experiences, exchange ideas and build relationships both regional and international.
Access to resources, tools, and latest technology solutions to enhance the participants marketing initiatives.
Over 27,000 farmers from Makueni have benefitted from certified seeds distributed by the County Government of Makueni for planting during the October-December rain season 2023.Beneficiaries were drawn from 11 wards that had prioritized planting seeds during the budgeting process for the 2023/24 financial year.
The Wards include Thange, Ivingoni -Nzambani, Mtito -Andei, Makindu,Nguumo, Kasikeu, Mbitini, Muvau -Kikumini, Kako- Waia, Kalawa and Mbooni.The initiative received a boost from the Kenya Red Cross Society which donated seeds to vulnerable households in Kibwezi –East Sub-county.
The Seed varieties distributed were Green grams, Maize, Beans, Cowpeas and assorted fodder and pasture seeds. With onset of the rains, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua has called on farmers to plant different seed varieties in order to achieve food security at the household levels.
Plug Mtaani is a competition of entrepreneurial ideas by young people.
Faith Mumo Timona, a fruits value addition industrialist based at Kwa Kathoka is the overall winner of Makueni County Plug Mtaani Youth Business Competition. The winner will represent Makueni at the national level competition and stand a chance to win Sh 10M to nurture her vision. She was awarded a sum of Sh 50,000 by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr engages with Taxi and Pool Table Players in Wote. He promised an exciting Pool Tournament to be organized by Wote Municipality.
The Department of Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment, and Climate Change in Makueni has officially launched a Climate Change Stakeholders coalition with the aim of orchestrating concerted efforts in climate change adaptation.
This coalition unites various stakeholders, including government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), Academia, and environmental advocates. Its primary objective is to facilitate collaboration among these entities and formulate a comprehensive strategy for coordinated climate change adaptation within the county.
The inaugural event took place on Tuesday in Wote, presided over by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili. It was graced by the presence of County Executive Committee Member Sonia Nzilani, Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, and members of the Makueni Climate Change Fund Management Board.
Hundreds of Makueni residents on Monday thronged to various designated venues across the county for public participation for the Makueni draft Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) Bill.
The purpose of the public participation is to gather input and feedback from residents in order to shape the legal framework for the establishment and operation of the ATC Centre. This ensures that the centre aligns with the needs and aspirations of the local community.
The Centre aims to provide specialized and high-quality agricultural education, training, and related services, and will play a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural knowledge and skills among the community, potentially contributing to local agricultural development.
The two-day exercise organized at the ward level aimed to involve as many community members as possible. This approach helps ensure that a diverse range of perspectives is taken into account.The consultation process is being spearheaded by top county officials led by the County Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua.
Hosted by the Deputy Governor and the line department of ICT, Education, and Internship, Hon. Eliud Owalo, launched a state-of-the-art digital lab equipped with 100 computers at the aforementioned County Technical Training Institute (CTTI) in Mbooni Sub-county.
This is among the 112 T.V.ETs across the country to have such a lab that is open to students, and the youth.
Its main roles include providing a digital platform where members of the community are trained on computer skills, are empowered towards digital entrepreneurship, and can access government e-services.
The available online jobs include Data Entry, Transcription, Research, and Technical jobs which are the highest paid. To ward off scammers, the international digital organization provides a particular code per country through which one can ascertain the legitimacy of the available job and employment thereof.
Hon. Owalo added that many more will be set up in all wards across the country through a partnership with members of the parliament in a bid to implement the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.
While unpacking the basket of digital goodies for the county the C.S. mentioned more markets in the country will follow the Wote market route of free Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity among the 25,000 the National government is set to connect. While riding on that initiative the Deputy Governor was quick to request for connectivity of Emali and Mukuyuni new urban markets.
Mrs. Mulili also appealed for an extension of the Fiber Optic Cable to the Governor’s office building and other parts of the town as an undertaking of the 1000km the C.S talked of.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed the government’s agenda of digitizing government services to ensure a digital economy and efficiency in service delivery.Makueni County government through the Department of ICT, Education, and Internship has been at the forefront of executing this initiative by digitizing key government services. An endeavor that has seen last financial year’s revenue grow from a previous 189 to 891 million.
Jitume Program Lands at David Mbiti Wambuli CTTI of Tulimani Ward.
Jitume Program Lands at David Mbiti Wambuli CTTI of Tulimani Ward.
On Friday, October 27, 2023, Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu in the picturesque Emali Mulala ward of Kibwezi West Sub-county, celebrated a remarkable milestone as 103 learners graduated from the County Technical Training Institute in different disciplines 82 of whom have secured employment already.
The striking success of this CTTI hinges on its unconventional admission criteria, which shatters the barriers of academic prerequisites. Here, the only requirement is a thirst for knowledge and a drive to hone essential life skills.
This approach embodies the belief that anyone with the passion to learn deserves an opportunity.
Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu doesn’t adhere to the standard examination calendar; instead, it sets a unique path. Students are assessed based on their competence and their mastery of the necessary skills, following at least six months of rigorous and hands-on training.
This dynamic approach recognizes that true education goes beyond textbooks and exams; it’s about real-world readiness.
When a student reaches the pinnacle of their career skill development, the institution books their examination via the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) together with other students from different CTTIs since Kwakakulu CTTI is an examination center for both Kenya National Examination Council and NITA.This process ensures that these graduates are not just knowledgeable but are masters of their craft, ready to contribute to the workforce effectively.
The tale of Spring Hill Kwa Kakulu’s 103 graduates is not just a story of personal triumph but a testament to the life-transforming potential of CTTIs. Their unwavering dedication and relentless hard work serve as a beacon of inspiration for the entire community.
In a cutting-edge educational program on renewable energy knowledge, the Government of Makueni County through the Energy Directorate led 30 Ward Energy Champions(WECs) drawn from the 30 wards on a 2- day benchmarking visit to Kitui County.
The benchmarking program led by CECM Infrastructure, Transport , Public Works, Housing and Energy Eng. Sebastian Kyoni was aimed at equipping the WECs with the latest insights and skills needed to thrive in the evolving green energy sector. Amongst the centers visited are:
1. Kitui Energy Center where WECs learnt about quality and affordable renewable energy technologies e.g green energy, Bio-gas, Solar, wood fuel and cook stove
2. Kenya Water Institute, Kitui Campus.
3. Briquette making machine.
In a bid to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application, the educational program aimed at shaping the Makueni County’s future on renewable and sustainable energy solutions.
