Environment

Construction of Londokwe Water Pan Project in Kitise/Kithuki Ward is steadily progressing, bringing renewed hope to a community long affected by recurring droughts and water scarcity.

Once complete, the water pan will harvest and store runoff from the seasonal Londokwe River, creating a reliable water source for 420 households. For many families, this means shorter distances in search of water, improved access for domestic use, better livestock health, and new opportunities for small-scale irrigation.

Implemented by the Environment and Climate Change Directorate under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program, the project significantly advances Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr water blueprint of ensuring that no resident walks more than two kilometres in search of water.

Makueni County Climate Change Fund Board is now fully constituted following the swearing-in of newly appointed members .

The oath of office was administered Monday by the County Attorney and witnessed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Mutula urged the board members to serve as climate change ambassadors within their communities and across the county. He called on them to spearhead resource mobilization efforts to strengthen the county’s climate action plans.

The governor also challenged the board to take a leading role in addressing the environmental impacts of mining activities and to guide the county in implementing proactive measures to protect residents from the adverse effects of climate change.

He further emphasized the importance of positioning the county to benefit from carbon credit opportunities as global momentum toward carbon markets continues to grow.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday hosted a high-powered delegation of national Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) officials and Danish Embassy representatives to assess the impact of climate resilience projects in Makueni.

The meeting also discussed plans for future interventions with a view to enhancing their design for higher community impact.

Governor Mutula acknowledged the massive impact the 12 projects implemented in the 2023/2024 Financial Year have had in improving water access, food security and livelihoods across Makueni. Governor Mutula praised FLLoCA’s community driven model of development, saying it has improved projects ownership.

The meeting was attended b by FLLoCA Program Coordinator Peter Odhengo, Embassy of Denmark representative Phillip Akello, Makueni Lands ECM Paul Musila, Education & ICT ECM Japheth Mang’oka and Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Muthoka.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has declared a ban on single-use plastics in all county offices and official functions in a move to combat plastic pollution.

The announcement was made during World Environment Day celebrations in Wote, on Thursday, where the World sought to draw strategies to end plastic pollution.

“Enough is enough! We must act now before plastics choke the life out of us,” declared Governor Mutula. Plastic waste, a major pollutant, has become an eyesore, clogging drainage systems and harming the environment.

Wote Municipality, for example, generates 20 metric tons of waste daily, with plastics accounting for 25% of the total waste. To tackle this challenge in the long-term, the county government has unveiled plans to construct a Sh180 million Material Recovery Facility. The facility will enhance waste segregation, recycling, and reuse, while also creating employment opportunities for youth.

In addition, Governor Mutula launched the County Forest Landscape Restoration Plan, developed in partnership with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF). The plan will guide the implementation of nature-based solutions to restore degraded landscapes in Makueni.

Makueni County was on Sunday privileged to host the national celebrations to mark World Meteorological Day, an event dedicated to raising awareness about weather and climate concerns.

This year’s theme, “closing the early warning gap together” resonates well with Makueni’s desire for proper climate information dissemination to enhance agricultural production and prepare for emergencies that have rocked the county and the region for years.

Principal Secretary for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Festus Ng’eno, led the celebrations at the Makindu Meteorological Station. The event was also graced by the Director Meteorological serivies-Dr David Gikungu, World Meteorological Organizations Director- Hlobille Shikhosana, MPs Jessica Mbalu, Mwengi Mutuse, Executive Committee Member for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, County Commissioner, and Makueni Chief Officer in charge of Environment Geoffrey Muthoka.

Mr. Nzioka, representing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, said the county government is keen on equipping farmers with the knowledge they need to adapt to changing climatic conditions. He highlighted the significance of partnership’s between government and non-governmental organizations in fostering resilience against climate-related challenges.