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Author: Faith Mumo

MAKUENI COUNTY KICKS OFF 2024 MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL.

Makueni County Music and Cultural Festival 2024 has officially been launched today at GreenPark Wote. The event highlights the county’s commitment to promoting cultural and musical development.

With 166 entries from various wards, the festival showcases a wide range of local talents including music and dance, elocution, and theatre and film.

The festival themed, “Utamaduni Wetu ni Nguzo ya Utajiri Wetu”, was opened by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism CECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani. Nzilani stated that, “the county government is dedicated to safeguarding our cultural heritage and advancing the arts as a pathway to economic prosperity.”

Top performers from todays event will advance to the 97th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival set for December 1-10, 2024, in Taita Taveta.

The CECM was accompanied by Chief Officer, Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani and Culture Director Mutua Mulonzya.

MANGO FARMERS AND BUYERS MEET TO PLAN FOR MARKETING SEASON

Makueni mango farmers’ representatives and buyers came together on Thursday to prepare for the upcoming mango marketing season. The meeting, organized by the county agriculture department aimed to establish clear purchasing guidelines for mangoes from local farmers.

During the discussions, buyers shared their planned purchase quantities and price ranges, offering between Ksh. 12 and 25 per kilogram of mangoes. The prices will vary, with local markets receiving the lowest rates and exporters providing the highest.

Attending the meeting, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development CECM Joyce Mutua urged farmers to hold firm and avoid selling their mangoes at low prices. “Our department is dedicated to ensuring that farmers receive fair value for their hard work,” she emphasized.

She added, “This collaboration between farmers and buyers is expected to strengthen the mango industry in Makueni, benefiting all stakeholders involved.”

Ms. Mutua was accompanied by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyalo.

CS MVURYA IGNITES COTTON REVIVAL WITH FLAG-OFF of 107 TONNES SEED.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Salim Mvurya and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr have flagged off distribution of 107 metric tonnes of premium cotton seeds to Makueni farmers.

Mvurya termed Makueni County as part of the national government’s key priority areas for revitalizing the cotton sector for sustainable fabric production.

Governor Kilonzo on the other hand encouraged farmers to embrace cotton cultivation, highlighting the county’s ideal climate and the lucrative market opportunities presented by the ginnery’s proximity.

The event was attended by State Department of Trade Principal Secretary Abubakar Yussuf, Special Economic Zones Authority Chairperson Fred Muteti, and Kenya Development Corporation Ag. Director General Nora Ratemo.

COUNTY FIRST LADY LAUNCHES BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING INITIATIVE.

County First Lady Anita Mutula officially launched breast and cervical cancer screening initiative in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Wednesday.

Leading the effort to promote early detection and prevention, Anita is advocating for free screening services for both breast and cervical cancer, aiming to increase access to life-saving care for the community.

During her address, Anita noted the alarming statistics from the Makueni Referral Hospital’s Empower Clinic, where 70.2% of cancer patients are diagnosed at stage 4 and an additional 23.5% at stage 3.

She emphasized the need for routine screenings, stating that regular check-ups for both men and women are essential in addressing these rising cancer challenges and fostering a culture of early detection.

The First Lady also expressed concern about the high prevalence of prostate cancer found among men during a recent medical camp, calling attention to the need for focused awareness and intervention.

Since its establishment, the Empower Clinic has served over 1,000 patients, offering vital support and treatment.

At the launch, cancer survivors Rose Munini and Nicholas Musyoka shared their journey with breast and prostate cancer, respectively, expressing gratitude for the treatment received at the empower clinic, which has brought them into remission.

The First Lady was joined by key partners supporting the cancer clinic, including Savanna Informatics Global Health,Roche-Kenya, the National Cancer Institute, and several members of the County Assembly, Chief Officers Dr.Stephen Ndolo,Dr.Harvey Mulei,Felistus Mutune and other county staff.