Finance

H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday evening appeared before senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee to respond to auditor General’s report for the years 2018/2019, 2019/2020, and 2020/2021 surrounding three Makueni water companies: Mbooni Water and Sanitation Company (MBONWASCO), Wote Water and Sewerage Company (WOWASCO) and Kibwezi Makindu Water and Sanitation Company (KIBMAWASCO).

The senator Godfrey Osotsi led committee heard from the governor how the county had laid down various measures of ensuring the companies run on profitability and enough water is supplied to locals.

1. Intensified patrols to reduce water infrastructure vandalism

2. Automation to bring sanity in water sector through smart metres supported by Safaricom

3. Operationalization of various water projects for increased water volumes:

I) Operationalization of Athi Kalawa water project.

Ii) Athi-Tunguni to Kilema Hill water project

Iii) desilting and repair of pipes in Mulima earth dam .

On Tuesday, the Senate Public Accounts Committee held a meeting with H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr to Consider the Auditor-General’s Reports on the Financial Statements of the County Executive of Makueni for the Financial Year 2019/2020.

The committee led by vice chairperson Senator Samson Cherargei, Nandi, was thrilled by the governor’s efforts in ensuring the prudent use of resources and digitizing revenue collection exercise through the launch of the MyMakueni App.

Senators Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo) and Richard Onyonka (Kisii) termed Makueni as a benchmark County for a successful devolution story. Makueni’s Revenue collection has grown from sh. 749 million same periods last year to 780 million in the current year.

Over 300 Makueni residents living in Mombasa on Tuesday engaged in public participation forum for the 2023/24 Financial Year budget estimates at Jambo restaurant in Mombasa.

Water projects,Healthcare and roads infrastructure topped in the list of the needs they want the county government to undertake in the next FY.

Speaking while addressing the forum,Deputy Governor H.E Lucy Mulili promised that Governor Mutula’s administration is keen on delivering on key projects that benefit the local mwananchi.

Mulili also warned that their government will not tolerate lazy contractors who do shoddy jobs at the expense of public money.

The public participation model allows local people in the county decide which development projects to embark on and then manage them once they are commissioned.

The DG was flanked by devolution CEC,Japheth Mang’oka, Education and ICT CEC,Elizabeth Muli, Water and Sanitation CEC Eng. Kasyoki Kieti,several chief officers and members of County Budget and Economic Forum.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr attended ward-level County Budget Public Participation for the FY 2023/24 at Kalawani social hall, Tulimani ward, Mbooni, where he emphasized the need for public input for a better decision process.

The governor challenged residents to also look at national government projects that are a priority to them.

“Look at various life-changing projects from water, roads among others so that after 4 years I can have an interview by the people based on the performance,” he said

Later he condoled with the family of the late Dorcus Kyande, 96, mother to Stephen Kivindu Kyande, former Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), commissioner, domestic tax, at her Wambuli home, within Tulimani ward.

Dorcus was eulogized as a dedicated farmer, clothed with strength and dignity till her demise.

The burial was also attended by various leaders among them Wiper party leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.