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Environment

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.

MAKUENI COUNTY MARKED THIS YEAR’S WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

Makueni County Marked this year’s World Environment Day with a commitment to accelerated land restoration and drought resilience through re-engineering agricultural practices, community driven afforestation programs, protection of key water towers, building sand dams, surface runoff water harvesting and investment in solar energy to reduce pressure on wood fuel.

County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment and Climate Change Nicholas Nzioka who led the celebration at Thange said Makueni is working with other partners to build a sustainable environment for all.

MAKUENI, KWS PARTNER TO END HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT IN KIBWEZI EAST

Makueni, KWS partner to End Human-wildlife Conflict in Kibwezi East

In a bid to mitigate the long-standing human-wildlife conflict in Kibwezi East, Makueni has partnered with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to extend the protective electric fence by 20km.

The new 20km Wandei- Ngomano section extends the initial 60km Kamunyu-Wandei fence earlier erected by the county government.

This expansion aims to establish a buffer between Tsavo East National Park and human settlements, effectively curbing the numerous attacks on humans by marauding animals, especially elephants.

The contract for this crucial extension was awarded in a ceremony presided over by KWS representative of Senior Assistant Director for Tsavo conservation area Jeremiah Rono, flanked by Environment Chief Officer Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi and Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi.

SH 171M CLIMATE RESILIENCE INVESTMENTS LINED UP IN 13 WARDS

13 Wards in Makueni are poised to benefit from climate resilience investment projects geared towards mitigating climate change risks and shocks in ecologically vulnerable areas.

The projects funded by World Bank through Financing Locally-led Climate Action Programme under National Treasury are expected to enhance the adaptive capacity of communities to climate change threats such as droughts and flash floods.

On Tuesday (30th April, 2024), a delegation of technical teams from the National Treasury Projects Implementation Unit and County Climate Change unit visited Ilima and Mukaa Wards for public participation fora on the environmental, social and economic suitability of suggested projects. 

In Ilima Ward, a sand dam at Kyangati across Wautu River will be constructed. 250 households will benefit from this project. Besides accessing water for domestic use, the households will be supported to grow 5,000 avocado trees to increase their incomes.

In Mukaa Ward, Kwa Kakui earth dam at Maiani is set for expansion and the water treated for community use. 

Leading the field visits were Environment and Climate Change Chief Officer Geoffrey Ngovi and Makueni FLLoCA Coordinator Jackline Kamusa.

MAKUENI, NAIROBI RIVERS COMMISSION SCALE UP WATER PROTECTION EFFORTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday hosted the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) led by chairperson Dr. Pamela Olet for a discussion on joint efforts to safeguard Nairobi river basin water resources against pollution.

Mulili affirmed the county government’s commitment to environmental sustainability while insisting on the importance of inter-county partnerships in tackling contamination of water sources especially through industrial effluents and untreated sewerage.

Makueni is among counties bearing the brunt of water contamination from the upstream of River Athi.

MAKUENI EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTER (EOC) REPORT.

In light of recent developments, an urgent update from the situation room reveals that the heavy rainfall last night has resulted in the flooding of Muooni River. Unsupervised concerned community members have initiated search and recovery efforts for the four missing bodies as early as 5:00 am.

It is imperative to swiftly notify all individuals along the riverbanks downstream to immediately halt their activities, as substantial water volumes have been detected from along Matiliku to Emali bridge.

An early warning system has been activated downstream to ensure swift action and safety measures are taken as our County response teams take charge.

The National Assembly Water Committee on Friday made a courtesy call on Governor

The National Assembly Water Committee on Friday made a courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr to discuss concerns surrounding the slow pace of Thwake Dam construction and pollution of River Athi, the main source of the dam when complete.

Governor Mutula sugggeted creation of Thwake Dam Authority and a Water Policing Unit to enforce compliance of non-pollution of Athi River.

Environment CS, Governor Mutula commission Tree Growing Campaign

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya together with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Friday led hundreds of residents in a tree growing exercise at Kiu Wetland in Makindu Ward.

The exercise precedes celebration of the National Tree Growing Day to be hosted in the site and graced by President William Ruto on Monday 13th. 100,000 tree seedlings will be planted at the wetland on the same day.

Makueni targets to grow 344 million trees by 2032, with 34 million grown each year. In the current October-November-December rain season, the county will grow 10 million trees.