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Author: Alexander Musembi

Let the Citizens Evaluate your Work: Governor Mutula tells Staff

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called upon the county government staff to double their efforts to ensure efficient and effective service delivery to the people of Makueni.

Mutula told his staff that servant leadership was an important virtue that they needed to cultivate and asked them to be their own supervisors and report to work consistently.


Governor Mutula addressed the staff on Tuesday when he officially released the results for Performance Contracting for the 2022/2023 financial year at the Green Park in Wote.
The Governor further congratulated the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development and the Makueni County Fruit Development and Processing Plant for being ranked the best in the County Departments and Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) respectively.


All the county staff are committed to performance contracting, an initiative by the government to ensure efficient service delivery to the citizens.
Besides the trophies and awards given to different departments and agencies, Mutula was keen to observe that the citizens’ satisfaction is the best performance indicator.
Other departments ranked include Infrastructure and Devolution. Wote Water and Sewerage Company (WOWASCO) and Makueni Sand Conservation and Utilization Authority were ranked the second and third best in the category of SAGAs.
Makueni County Public Service Board topped in independent agencies.

SENSITIZATION AND ONBOARDING OF WOTE TOWN VENDORS TO SOKO MAKUENI.

In a recent online development, the County Directorates of Marketing and Trade Development and ICT conducted an intensive training program for traders in the use of Soko Makueni E-Portal platform. The purpose of this initiative was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

During the training sessions, participants were introduced to the various features and functionalities of the E-Portal platform, including user registration, account management, and how to access and utilize the available resources and services.


Speaking during the launch of the training, CECM Trade Eng. Peter Nyamai encouraged traders to embrace digital technology in vision of growing their businesses beyond their trading areas.


Special emphasis was placed on security measures to ensure the protection of user data and privacy. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing increased confidence in using the E-Portal for their daily tasks. The training is seen as a crucial step in promoting a seamless and efficient digital experience for all users. The Department of Trade and Marketing behind the E-Portal platform has plans to continue offering regular training sessions to ensure that users remain well-versed in its capabilities and to foster a digitally literate trading community.

Jacaranda Health and ThinkWell join forces with Makueni County to Strengthen Maternal and Child Healthcare.

 In a landmark move aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare in Makueni County, Jacaranda Health and ThinkWell have joined forces with the county government to launch a three-year Kenya Quality Ecosystem project. 
 
This collaborative partnership seeks to link maternal and newborn health solutions with the available budget and establish a data-driven approach to address the challenges faced by mothers throughout their healthcare journeys. 
 
The ultimate goal is to drive cost efficiencies in health funds, prioritize investments in innovations, and enhance delivery of quality care, thereby positively impacting health outcomes.
 
The project commenced with a comprehensive baseline Facility Quality Assessment and Health Financing Landscaping across 30 healthcare facilities spanning the six sub-counties of Makueni.
It underscored the need for appropriate revenue allocation towards maternal, newborn, and child health, revealing opportunities for significant improvements.
 
As a result of these findings, various innovative programs have been initiated to enhance service delivery. These programs include the production of Quality of Care reports, optimization of health financing initiatives and continued implementation of Jacaranda Health’s free two-way SMS service, and a mentorship program designed to boost nurses’ confidence and preparedness to handle emergencies.
 
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who led the meeting, reiterated the county government’s unwavering commitment to advancing the healthcare agenda. 
 
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) program to enhance service delivery. 
 
The partnership between ThinkWell and Jacaranda Health, which initially commenced in 2019 in Makueni County, has been marked by collaborative efforts to improve healthcare service delivery.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr attends consultative forum for the handing over of the konza bufferzone Physical and Land Use Development plan.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr attends consultative forum for the handing over of the konza bufferzone Physical and Land Use Development plan to the counties of Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado.
Thereafter, the county governments will take the plan through approval process in the Cabinets and County Assemblies before sign-off. The approved plans will be adopted by the governors and the plans will be filed with the County Governments and the National Government.
Other leaders present include: Douglas Mbilu (speaker-Makueni County Assembly), various MCAs drawn from Makueni Machakos, and Kajiado lands committees.

DISTRIBUTION OF MARKET CLEANING TOOLS

Market Cleaning Program is a significant step towards improving the cleanliness and overall hygiene of our local markets. This program aligns with our commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable environment within our trading areas.

Our markets in Makueni County are not only places of commerce but also vital hubs of community interaction. They serve as economic drivers and places where diverse members of our community converge. However, over time, concerns have arisen regarding their cleanliness and sanitation. These issues not only affect the well-being of our community but also the perception of our markets. The Market Cleaning Program is designed with the objective to;

  • Enhance Hygiene: Implement regular cleaning and sanitation measures to ensure a clean and hygienic market environment for vendors and visitors alike.
  • Beautification:Beautify market areas through landscaping, waste management, and improved infrastructure.
  • Community Involvement: Encourage active participation from vendors, local businesses, and community members to take ownership of the cleanliness of our markets.

In view of achieving the above objectives, the Directorate of Trade has outlined a comprehensive plan, which includes:

  1. Regular Cleaning Schedule: Implementing a consistent cleaning schedule with dedicated personnel responsible for daily maintenance.
  2. Waste Management: Introducing proper waste disposal facilities and practices to minimize litter and promote recycling.
  3. Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns to educate market stakeholders and the community about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.
  4. Community Engagement: Organizing volunteer-driven cleanup events, involving local schools, businesses, and residents.
  5. Infrastructure Upgrades: Evaluating and making necessary infrastructure improvements to ensure long-term sustainability.
  6. Empowering Market Participants: We believe that the success of this program hinges on the active involvement and empowerment of market participants.

Thus, the Trade directorate has initiated a program to furnish cleaners in over 120 markets earmarked for cleaning with sanitation equipment and is committed to work closely with vendors, business associations, community groups to ensure our markets are transformed into cleaner, safer, and more vibrant entrepreneurial spaces.

Kikome Irrigation Scheme to Put 50 Acres under Irrigation in Kitise

Kikome Irrigation scheme in Kitise-Kithuki Ward is 70% complete, Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Daniel Ndolo has said.
 
Ndolo toured the scheme on Thursday to check on the status of the project and fast-track its completion.
Kikome is one of the 11 micro-irrigation schemes being implemented through the Small-Scale Irrigation and Value Addition Project (SIVAP) in partnership with the county government of Makueni.
 
Once complete, the scheme will benefit 100 households and irrigate 50 acres with different high-value crops like capsicum, spinach, kale, green maize and fruit trees.
The county government through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development is also establishing 2 large irrigation schemes, that is, Utangwa and Kyeemwea in Mbooni and Kaiti Sub-Counties respectively.
 
The micro and large irrigation schemes will irrigate 600 acres to help enhance food security in Makueni.

Deputy Governor Showcases Makueni’s Vibrant Products, Honorable Raila Odinga Joins Conference

The second day of the 8th Devolution Conference witnessed remarkable strides as delegates gathered to discuss the integration of technology and digital economy into devolved sectors for robust economic growth.
 
 The event, which is taking place in Uasin-Gishu county  saw Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcoming attendees at the Makueni county’s exhibition booth, showcasing a wide array of Makueni-made products.
 
The Makueni exhibition booth drew attention for its diverse offerings, ranging from delectable mango juice to intricate handcrafts.
 Mulili expressed pride in the county’s accomplishments and its commitment to contributing to Kenya’s economic development through innovative products and ideas.
 
Notably, the conference was graced by the presence of opposition leader Rt. Honorable Raila Odinga, who addressed the attendees and highlighted the significance of devolution in advancing the country’s growth agenda. 
Odinga’s presence underscored the bipartisan commitment to the success of devolution in Kenya.
 
The heart of the conference lay in the engaging panel discussions that explored the fusion of technology and devolved sectors.
 
 With a focus on the digital economy, panelists delved into strategies for effectively integrating technology into various levels of governance. 
 
The dialogue centered on leveraging technology to enhance service delivery, improve resource allocation, and foster economic development within the devolved regions.
 
In the afternoon forum, participants engaged in breakaway sessions that touched upon diverse sectors, each aiming to harness the potential of devolution for maximum impact.

Governor Mutula roots for Investment in Community Health for better healthcare

Governor Mutula roots for Investment in Community Health for better healthcare
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has expressed his commitment towards supporting community health provision to bridge the health services access gap by far-to-reach and vulnerable populations in Makueni.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the Chief Executive Officer Financing Alliance for Health Dr. Angela Gichaga Thursday, Governor Mutula said investment in community health is the most important health investment his administration is working on.
Makueni County boasts of 3,625 community health promoters working under the Department of Health Services to deliver primary health services at household level.
Through a partnership with Financing Alliance for Health, the county government has succeeded in formulating a County Community Health Services Strategy (2021-2025) and the Makueni County Community Health Policy 2020-2030.

Governor Mutula announces digital registration of farmers for better service delivery

H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has announced that the County Government is targeting to register over 166,000 farming households across the 30 wards.
The exercise is set to be carried out by Local Ward Based enumerators bound to be recruited.
The County has already placed an advert for 503 positions where youth have been encouraged to apply for the opportunities with application forms available at the County Website with 24th August 2023 set as deadline.
Mutula spoke this during the burial of Philip Nzembi, a former teacher and a Councillor at Mutwii Village,Kikima, in Mbooni Sub – County.