Author: Faith Mumo
MAKUENI TO PILOT THE NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH AND BREEDING PROGRAM
Makueni County has been selected by the National Government to pioneer the National Animal Health and Breeding Program, Agriculture and Livestock Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua has announced.
The initiative, a nationwide effort, aims to bolster livestock health through extensive vaccination drives and the promotion of superior breeding practices.
Mutua said Makueni’s selection was due to its outstanding record in conducting annual vaccination campaigns, integral to its broader strategy of combating livestock diseases.
Once the breeding quality is enhanced, the county plans to shield livestock from adverse weather conditions by providing insurance coverage.
Mutua spoke on Thursday during the launch of this year’s livestock vaccination program in Nguu Masumba Ward, Kibwezi-West Sub-county.
This year’s vaccination schedule will focus on protecting cattle from Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, and Rift Valley fever, while goats will be safeguarded against Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia. Poultry will also receive vaccinations against NewCastle Disease.
The vaccination program will span 485 vaccination sites, targeting over 15,000 households, with the overarching objective of eradicating priority livestock diseases within the county.
Dr. Daniel Ksee, the County Veterinary Officer present at the event, reported that Makueni has successfully vaccinated more than 400,000 livestock, including cattle, sheep, and goats, over the past three years.
MAKUENI COUNTY WELCOMES 125 INTERNS FOR SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM
Makueni County has hired 125 interns to equip them with specialized skills in their respective fields. These interns will be immediately placed across various county departments to hone their skills and prepare for future career opportunities.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, speaking at the inauguration event held at Green Park on Wednesday, highlighted that the interns will spend the next year working in Makueni. She emphasized that this period is a prime opportunity for them to refine their skills and uncover their talents.
Mulili urged the interns to remain dedicated and take their training seriously, noting that they will receive a monthly stipend of 15,000 Ksh. to support their upkeep during their tenure. She also stressed the importance of developing strong communication and interpersonal skills to facilitate effective interaction with supervisors and peers across the 16 departments where they will be deployed.
Elizabeth Muli, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of ICT, Education, and Internship, encouraged the interns to embrace the learning process. She pointed out that every challenge presents a chance to learn and grow, urging the young trainees to take initiative and demonstrate enthusiasm in their tasks.
Muli assured the interns that the government would provide support and guidance, helping them gain valuable experience in their areas of specialization, which will be crucial in securing employment after the internship period.
The event was also attended by several dignitaries, including MCAs Jonathan Muthoka (Ilima Ward) and Sarah Mbilo (Nominated), Peter Mumo, ECM for Gender, Sternly Nthiw’a, County Attorney, and Chief Officers Irene Makau (Education), Alfonce Kanunga (ICT), and Bonface Mutua (Planning), among other officials, who shared words of wisdom and encouragement with the aspiring professionals.
MAKUENI, AFA LAUNCH WORKSHOP ON COFFEE REGULATIONS TO ENHANCE SECTOR GROWTH
The County Department of Agriculture, in partnership with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), held a sensitization workshop on the Coffee Regulations 2019 on Wednesday as part of broader strategy to rejuvenate the coffee sector in Makueni, aiming to enhance the livelihoods of coffee farmers and contribute to the county’s economic growth.
The workshop targeted selected extension officers and members of the Kikima Cooperative Society board. The training aimed to acquaint them with the regulations and emphasized the importance of the new regulations in improving coffee quality and production efficiency.
The partners discussed various aspects of the regulation framework including standards for cultivation, processing, and marketing of coffee. The regulations also cover the rights and responsibilities of farmers, cooperative societies, and other stakeholders in the coffee industry.
The extension officers and cooperative society members will disseminate the knowledge gained to farmers, to ensure widespread compliance and benefit. As the sensitization program rolls out across the. coffee growing areas in Makueni, it is expected to boost farmers’ productivity and profitability.
The workshop, held in Kikima, was graced by Livestock and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and County Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti.
CLIMATE CHANGE STEERING COMMITTEE INDUCTED ON RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
The newly appointed Makueni County Climate Change Steering Committee has completed a two-day induction on climate change management.
The induction, conducted by officers from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry- Directorate of Climate Change and County Government, focused on policy frameworks, climate change financing mechanisms, and the different stakeholders in the national and international climate change space. The committee also learned about developing simplified climate change resilience initiatives that wananchi can identify with.
Additionally, the committee was briefed on the five-year Makueni County Climate Change Action Plan (2023-2027), which will guide fundraising for climate action.
The committee now faces the crucial task of developing bankable climate change financing proposals and mobilizing resources to finance locally-led climate actions in the county.
GOVERNOR MUTULA ISSUES 179 ALLOTMENT LETTERS TO KIKIMA PLOT OWNERS
Governor Mutula Kilozno Jr has issued letters of allotment to 179 plot owners of Kikima town, Mbooni Sub-county, in an endeavor to improve security of land tenure.
This is geared towards solving land ownership wrangles which have plagued the county for years, slowing down development.
The county government has prioritized resolution of all these disputes by collaborating with the National Ministry for Lands in planning and titling 157 parcels in Emali, 349 parcels in Kibwezi, and 410 parcels in Makindu. Allotment letters for 104 parcels in Nunguni town, Kaiti, are also ready for issuance.
According to the Lands Executive Committee Member Nicholas Nzioka, the county government is working closely with the National Land Commission to fast-track adjudication and issuance of title deeds in all pending settlement schemes and sections, namely Ngai, Mang’elete, Muthingiini, Ngaindethya, Kyamuoso, Kiboko A&C, Utithi, and Kathyaka.
The county government is also running land clinics where residents are helped to fill affidavits and prosecute estate succession for faster processing of title deeds.
GOVERNOR MUTULA PLEDGES KSH 46M FOR MBOONI FAMILY HOSPITAL COMPLETION
Governor Mutula Pledges KSh 46M for Mbooni Family Hospital Completion
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has pledged to complete the Mbooni Sub-county Hospital Isolation Centre and convert it into a family hospital, aiming to serve a broader population.
An allocation of KSh 46 million has been set aside in the 2024/2025 Financial Year to finalize and equip the facility. The hospital will include a Mother and Child unit, laboratory, ultra-modern theatre, casualty wing, and clinical rooms.
Once completed, the family hospital will cater to a catchment area of 31,000 residents, with the capacity to serve 200 patients per day.
He spoke during a tour of the hospital to commission new X-ray equipment.
