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Author: Faith Mumo

HUNDREDS OF KITHUNGO/KITUNDU RESIDENTS ACHIEVE FOOD SECURITY AND INCOME BOOST THROUGH CLIMATE-SMART FARMING INITIATIVE

Residents of Kithungo/Kitundu are reaping the benefits of food sufficiency and increased incomes thanks to Kathambalani irrigation scheme, a project supported by the county government’s innovative green roads water harvesting program.

The scheme utilizes water harvested from a road drift constructed across the Kathambalani stream, which captures substantial volumes of sand and underground water. This water is then channeled to irrigate farmlands, enabling year-round crop production.

During a routine inspection of the project on Wednesday, County Executive Committee Member for Water, Eng. John Kieti, announced plans to allocate funds in the upcoming financial year for the construction of a mega sump and distribution tank so as to reach more residents.

Area MCA Kisungi Katete, who accompanied Eng. Kieti during the inspection, praised the initiative for its positive impact on the community.

KITISE WATER AND IRRIGATION PROJECTS MAKE PROGRESS

A water and irrigation project in Kitise, currently 50% complete, is set to positively impact over 1,500 households in the area.

The initiative, which aims to provide clean domestic water, promote conservation agriculture, and enhance climate resilience, is making steady progress in improving the livelihoods of local residents.

Key components of the project include the construction of a 100m³ water sump, solar-powered systems to facilitate efficient water distribution to various points, and the installation of a 3.2 km pipeline leading to a booster station for sustained water supply.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who chairs the Emergency Sub-Committee within the cabinet, visited the site alongside a team of County Executive Committee Members (ECMs) and the area MCA Sebastian Muli to assess the project’s progress.

During the visit, Mulili reassured the community that the county is fully committed to enhancing water accessibility and sustainability, emphasizing the long-term benefits these projects will bring to local residents.

In addition to the water supply project, the team also visited the Kikome Irrigation Scheme Phase 3, which is designed to serve 63 households, each receiving one acre for agricultural use.

This phase of the project will involve the construction of a pipeline network covering 15 acres, the installation of infiltration galleries for the collection sump tank, and the desilting of the existing 100m³ concrete sump tank.

AGRIPRENEURS TAKE OATH AFTER AN INTENSIVE TRAINING

The 210 agripreneurs launched on Thursday have officially taken an oath of service today after completing a two-day intensive training on their field roles.

The training focused on farmer profiling, equipping the agripreneurs with skills to assess farmers’ capacities and identify potential farming areas.

The oath, administered by County Solicitor Ms. Jennifer Kyumwa and witnessed by CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development, Joyce Mutua, signifies a commitment to safeguarding farmers’ data privacy.

“We count on you to be the bridge that uplifts our farmers and transforms agriculture in Makueni,” urged CECM Mutua.

The event was also attended by Livestock and Fisheries Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, alongside other county officials.

KWS BOSS AND GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEIL TEAM TO DRAFT NGAI NDETHYA RESERVE LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN

The process of drafting a Land Management Plan for Ngai Ndethya National Reserve has kicked off with unveiling of a multi-sectoral team to spearhead the process.

The team comprising of representatives of Kenya Widlife Service, Makueni Lands Department, NEMA, National and County Government Administrations, NLC, conservancies and local residents was unveiled by KWS Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr at Mtito Andei on Friday.

Governor Mutula also led a citizen engagement forum at Nthunguni market to record the voice of wnanchi on the matter.

The plan aims to harmonize human settlement, conservation, wildlife protection and development.

TRADE DEPARTMENT HOSTS MARKET COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

On Thursday, the county government hosted a Market Governance Forum at Wote Green Park, bringing together market committee chairpersons from across the county to deliberate on issues affecting trading centers.

The forum, led by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., focused their discussions on improving market management, enhancing collaboration with the county government on sanitation and revenue collection, monitoring the progress of development projects and ensuring security in trading centers.

While addressing the meeting, Governor Kilonzo urged the market leaders to collaborate with the county government for seamless service delivery to the people of Makueni. “My government will accord you the ultimate support needed to spur economic growth in our trading centres,” stated Kilonzo

The meeting also saw participation from Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi and a host of senior county officials, including CEC Members Nicholas Nzioka, Japheth Mang’oka and Damaris Kavoi, as well as Chief Officers Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, Bonface Mutua, Felistus Mutune and Daudi Kyalo with Municipal managers from Wote and Emali/Sultan Hamud also attending the session.

This forum is part of an ongoing exercise by the Trade Department to formalize market committees and streamline operations across Makueni’s trading hubs.

EMPOWERING MAKUENI’S TRADERS THROUGH MSME DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Hundreds of traders in Wote town took part in a transformative training program on Wednesday aimed at empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The program convened by the County Trade Department brought together officers from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), and the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC Makueni) to provide training on product quality improvement and compliance with government regulations.

This training focused on equipping participants with vital entrepreneurial skills, including quality assurance, inspection and testing services, metrology, consumer protection, certifications and standards, business planning, financial management and bookkeeping.

Attending the training, Ag. CECM Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Nicholas Nzioka urged traders to develop networks and partnerships that will serve to strengthen the MSME sector in Makueni, fostering growth, compliance and economic sustainability for local trade.

During the training, KEBS Principal Officer for Quality Assurance Mildred Eboi demonstrated the steps required to obtain a standardization mark for goods. She further cautioned traders against selling substandard products, highlighting that it is illegal and punishable by law.

The forum that was also attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer Jossylyn Nzilani and Trade Director Harrison Kiandiko among other officers marks a significant step in promoting quality assurance and protecting consumers while supporting local businesses.

LAMU COUNTY TEAM BENCHMARKS PROJECT MONITORING TRACKING SYSTEM IN MAKUENI

A delegation from Lamu County has begun a two-day benchmarking visit to Makueni County to study the Project Monitoring and Tracking System (PMTS), a digital platform developed by Makueni’s Information Technology team.

Led by Lamu’s Chief Officer for ICT, E-Government, and Citizen Participation, Ali Ahmed Muhdhar, the team aims to learn how the PMTS enhances project oversight and improves service delivery through real-time data tracking.

Welcoming the delegation, Makueni’s CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, emphasized the importance of inter-county collaboration in promoting accountability and improving service delivery. She highlighted how the PMTS has transformed Makueni’s project management by ensuring real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and better resource utilization.

Muhdhar commended Makueni’s innovations, noting that Lamu plans to adopt similar solutions to strengthen its project management processes. He added that digital platforms like PMTS are essential for enhancing transparency, improving service delivery, and ensuring that development projects meet the needs of citizens.