Author: Faith Mumo
USAID LAUNCHES PROJECT IN MAKUENI COUNTY.
USAID has launched a local Food Systems project dubbed ‘Feed the Future’, a U.S Government Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.
The project will be implemented by a consortium of organisations led by Technoserve. Technoserve Chief of Party, Elizabeth Eckert made the announcement when a delegation from USAID Kenya and East Africa met Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office on Friday.
Eckert said the key areas to be covered in the project include nutrition, building up resilience for farmers and increasing profitability and diversity among small-scale traders.
The project will run for five years, until 2029.
Technoserve has already deployed staff to the county headquarters in Wote and said they hope the project will positively impact the lives of Makueni residents.
Governor Kilonzo welcomed the partnership and hailed USAID for choosing Makueni to be among 22 Counties involved in the project. He noted that USAID was also involved in other projects in Makueni notably in the water sector under its STAWI project. The governor encouraged the USAID to help address issues of malnutrition in the county affecting children below 2 years noting that the issue of food storage was critical in addressing food security.
Agriculture CECM, Joyce Mutua said the ‘Feed the Future Project’ would help residents as 47 per cent of households in Makueni were food insecure.
Others present were Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili, Trade CECM, Dr. Sonia Nzilani and Titus among others.
KITAVU DRIFT IS COMPLETE!
The construction of Kitavu Drift in Kikumbulyu-South Ward is now complete, fully funded by the County Government of Makueni.
This vital infrastructure enhances connectivity, improves access to essential services, and boosts local trade and economic activities.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr administration is committed to connecting communities through improved roads.
MAKUENI KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN TO GROW 1 MILLION TREES
The Department of Lands through the Directorate of Environment has launched a campaign to grow 1 million trees in the October-November-December rain season.
The exercise is part of a greater initiative by the County Government of Makueni to plant and grow 344M trees by the year 2032 to restore degraded landscapes and forests.
The exercise was launched by County Executive Committee Member Japheth Mang’oka flanked by Chief Officer Geoffrey Muthoka, representatives of Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forest Research Institute and Community Forest Association at Kalumbi Forest in Mbitini Ward, Makueni Sub-county.
Acting Director Climate Change Jackline Kamusa says a greater percentage of the trees are fruit trees, to be given to farmers to ensure food resilience in the wake of climate change.
To weed out the menacing illegal felling of trees for charcoal and timber, Mang’oka said the county government has enlisted the support of Community Forest Associations for policing and intelligence sharing on the perpetrators of this environmental destruction.
REHABILITATION OF MAKASA ROAD
Kwa Kiamba – Makasa AIC – Kwa Tumbo – Ngula Road in Nguu/Masumba Ward, a vital 4.5-kilometer route in an agricultural area, has been rehabilitated to improve accessibility and support local livelihoods. Previously impassable during rains and dusty in dry seasons, the road hindered transportation of farm produce to markets.
The project included bush clearing, heavy grading, gravelling with watering and compaction, installation of 64 meters of culverts, which is ongoing and construction of 500 meters of catch water drains. The “road for water” concept will reduce soil erosion and provide water for agriculture.
Roads and Infrastructure Executive Eng. Peter Mumo, accompanied by project committee members, the contractor, and staff, on Wednesday inspected the works. This initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision of improving road networks to enhance connectivity and access to services across Makueni County.
MAKUENI INTENSIFIES LANDSCAPE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED LANDS
Makueni’s Department of Lands, in partnership with FAO and the European Union under the Digital Land Governance Programme, has completed a two-day capacity building workshop for Muambwani and Kalumbi Community Forests restoration stakeholders.
The training is geared towards equipping the stakeholders, among them the community, with necessary information for participatory forest management planning, build synergies among the different stakeholders and carry out monitoring and evaluation of the Muambwani-Kalumbi Community Forest restoration progress.
The training brought together community members, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service and ICRAF representatives.
County Chief Officer in charge of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Geoffrey Muthoka reiterated Makueni’s determination to restore degraded landscapes while encouraging the planting of high-value trees in both public and private farmlands.
SAFE RIDES FOR ALL: MAKUENI BEGINS CONVERSATIONS WITH FLONE INITIATIVE TO REVOLUTIONIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Flone Initiative, a Non-Governmental Organization specializing in creating safe spaces in public transport, is seeking to collaborate with the County Government of Makueni to address challenges affecting vulnerable groups in the public transport sector.
This follows a baseline survey conducted earlier this year, which identified critical gaps and proposed key recommendations.
Receiving the survey findings, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. expressed confidence that targeted interventions would address systemic challenges, improve safety and accessibility, and establish a public transport system that champions equity and inclusivity for all residents.
