Departments

OPERATIONALIZING KATHONZWENI MILK PROCESSING PLANT

The County Government of Makueni has installed a water treatment plant at the Kathonzweni Milk Processing Plant, marking a significant step towards its operationalization.

The new treatment facility will supply clean water necessary for processing value-added products such as pasteurized milk, mala, and yoghurt.

Once operational, the plant will help curb milk spoilage for local farmers and increase their income.

On Monday, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and Livestock Chief Officer, Japheth Kiminza visited the plant for pre-testing of the water treatment system to ensure it meets the required quality standards.

ECDE TEACHERS ABSORBED AS PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE.

453 ECDE teachers on contract were on Monday absorbed by Makueni County as permanent and pensionable at a colourful ceremony presided over by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the county headquarters.

Governor Mutula told the teachers that the appointment was a testament of their hard work as they went about shaping the future of our children. The first cohort of 497 were absorbed by the County in January this year.

The teachers were recruited in 2014 on contract, but could not be absorbed owing to budgetary constraints. Governor Mutula thanked the teachers for perservering since 2014.

The Governor also affirmed his commitment to constructing child-friendly ECDE classrooms in the County.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Chairman County Public Service Board Dr. Nicodemus Muteti, Makueni County Member of National Assembly, Rose Museo, ECMs Elizabeth Muli, ICT, Education and Internships, Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Trade, Japheth Mangoka, Devolution, Nicholas Nzioka, Lands, MCAs Urbanus Manzu, Kee and Deputy Majority Leader Bishop Jonathan Muthoka, Ilima among others.

MAKUENI YAADHIMISHA SIKU YA KISWAHILI DUNIANI

Serikali ya Kaunti ya Makueni kupitia Idara ya Biashara, Masoko, Viwanda, Utamaduni na Utalii ikiongozwa na Waziri Sonia Nzilani leo imeadhimisha siku ya lugha ya Kiswahili duniani katika shule ya upili ya mabanati ya Makueni.

Siku ya Lugha ya Kiswahili Duniani ilianza Julai 7, elfu mbili na ishirini na mbili. Maadhimisho haya yalianzishwa na shirika la UNESCO ili kutambua umuhimu wa Kiswahili, lugha inayozungumzwa na watu wengi zaidi barani Afrika. Siku hii inaadhimisha jukumu la lugha katika kukuza tofauti za kitamaduni, kukuza umoja, na kuwezesha mawasiliano katika bara la Afrika na kwingineko.

Daktari Sonia aliwahimiza wanafunzi kutilia mkazo lugha ya Kiswahili kwa masomo yao kwa sababu lugha hii ni tajika na imeweza kufanywa lugha rasmi katika Jumuia ya Afrika Mashariki na Kati na pia kuanzishwa katika mitaala katika nchi za Magharibi. Maadhimisho haya yalihusu michezo ya kuigiza, neno nenwa, hadithi za urafa, utangazaji na nyimbo za Utamaduni.

Kwa kuongezea, lengo kuu la idara ya Utamanduni, Muziki na Sanaa Makueni ni kujenga tamaduni zetu na kuhakikisha lugha ya Kiswahili inaleta hisia za stahiki na ubunifu katika shule zetu na kwingineko.

Baadhi ya waliokuwemo ni mwalimu mkuu Bi. Mary Akoth, mkurungezi wa Utalii Bi. Dianah Muli miongoni mwa maafisa na waalimu wengine. Kwengineko, Maadhimisho kama haya Afrika Mashariki yalifanyika katika Ngome ya Yesu (Fort Jesus) leo kufuatia usiku wa Kiswahili uliosherehekewa hapo jana.

KiswahiliKidumu

MAKUENI IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VILLAGE ENTERPRISE DRAFTS POLICY TO EMPOWER ULTRA-POOR RESIDENTS

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF) has concluded public participation on the Ultra Poor Graduation Policy, aimed at mobilizing resources to support extremely poor residents in building sustainable livelihoods.

This comprehensive framework provides a range of interventions designed to help the ultra-poor transition from severe social and financial exclusion to self-sufficient socio-economic participation. The Ultra Poor Graduation Policy combines immediate support to meet participants’ urgent needs with long-term investments in life skills and technical training, asset transfers, enterprise development, savings, and future planning.

Supported by Village Enterprise, the overarching goal of this policy is to empower financially excluded individuals to gain the capacity for financial borrowing from the Makueni County Empowerment Fund and other financial institutions, ultimately fostering sustainable livelihoods for ultra-poor families.

REVENUE OFFICERS COMMENDED FOR REACHING KSH. 1 BILLION TARGET

Financial Services ECM Damaris Kavoi has praised revenue officers for achieving the Ksh. 1 billion own-source collection target in the 2023/2024 financial year.

Speaking at ACK Salama, Kavoi met with the officers and pledged to offer more training and improve their welfare. She attributed the achievement to enhanced client relations, which made revenue collection more humane. Kavoi also expressed gratitude to the citizens of Makueni for willingly paying their taxes and fees.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. had earlier acknowledged the contributions of the business community to this success. As a gesture of appreciation, he granted them a one-day tax amnesty on Friday, July 5th.

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.