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MAKUENI DEPLOYS SMART METERS TO END NON-REVENUE WATER.

While Makueni faces higher water demand than the supply capacity, water service providers have struggled with the menace of unaccounted for water (Non-Revenue water).

Statistics from the three water supply companies: WOWASCO, KIBWASCO and MBOWASCO indicate that non-revenue water accounts for 30 percent of the total water produced and which never reach consumers.

This menace has continued to pile pressure on the county government’s purse as it invests more resources in water infrastructure development to meet the daily demand of 60,000,000 liters. Current water production stands at 30,000,000 according to Water Executive Committee Member John Kieti.

To quell the non-revenue water problem, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has instructed water companies in the county to invest in technology such as smart meters, bulk water meters, high-density polyethylene pipes and leakage detectors.

The roll out of the smart meters has kicked off with 31 water points done in collaboration with Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) and Water Mission already installed. This has recorded a huge success and the water department plans to replicate this in all water dispensing points.

The smart meters have also reduced revenue leakages as customers use prepaid token cards or mobile money wallets to pay for water drawn. This means that all the water one draws is equivalent to the amount of token points swiped, and all the cash goes to a bank account.

To enhance the smart metering program, the county government has secured Sh 39M funding from USAID’s Sustainable, Transformational, and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) project. The funding will support the three water service providers, each getting Sh 13M, to install the smart meters in all their water points across the county.

KILOME WINS MKJ BODA-BORA FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT.

Soon after the Jamhuri Day celebrations in Wote, the stage was set for a thrilling finale as Kibwezi West and Kilome faced off in the finals of the MKJ Boda-Bora Football Tournament finals.

Kilome emerged winners in a hotly-contested match at the Unoa Stadium.

Kibwezi West had on Wednesday secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Mbooni in the semi-finals, while Kilome triumphed over Kibwezi East with a hard-fought 1-0 to set up the finals.

Kilome scored the lone goal at the 44th minute on the first half.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. witnessed the finals and awarded the winners.

The champions took home Ksh. 50,000 and a trophy, while runners up received Ksh.40,000, with position three, four, five and six receiving Ksh. 20,000, 15,000,10,000, and 5,000 respectively.

Joining the governor were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, CECM Eng. Sebastian Kyoni (Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services), National Boda Boda chairman, Kevin Mubadi and Makueni Boda Boda chairman, Urbanus Mutisya among others.

The MKJ Boda-Bora Football Tournament was organized from the Ward level, involving two teams of 15 members each in all the 30 Wards.

A total of 1,800 Boda Boda riders participated.

MAKUENI COUNTY TO UNVEIL MANGO MARKETING FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT FARMERS

Makueni, Wote 12th December 2024.

Makueni County is developing a Mango Fruit marketing framework to protect Farmers and ensure proper pricing for the crop.

Governor Mutula Jr says the County has rolled out a series of Business to Business (B2B) meetings involving value-chain stakeholders such as lead farmers and off -takers where a framework for marketing has been developed.

“Beginning this Friday, Ward meetings are going to begin to create awareness on quantities to be off taken by different off takers, pricing and mode of payment”.

He called upon farmers to actively participate and ensure their concerns are noted and addressed through the process.

“We will say no to bad prices, and brokers,” Mutula emphasized.

The Governor was speaking while presiding over Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Unoa Grounds in Wote.

The governor outlined his government’s commitment on developing Agriculture in the county.

He also presented Ksh. 6 million to six Ward-based Saccos as part of the ongoing National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) where the government seeks to empower 156,000 farmers with skills and resources across key value chains including mangoes, apiculture, tomatoes, dairy and poultry.

County Commissioner Duncan Darusi warned locals against vandalizing critical government infrastructure saying those involved will be dealt with.

Also in attendance were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Secretary Dr Justus Kyambi and other top County officials.

MAKUENI CHOIR TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE PRESTIGIOUS WINNERS CONCERT.

The Makueni County choir had the honor of performing at the Winners Concert, held on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya.

The concert celebrated creme de la creme performances from the recently concluded Kenya Music and Cultural Festival, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and diversity.

The performance was attended by several senior government officials, including Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Ms. Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Culture & Heritage, and Dr. Sonia Nzilani, Makueni’s CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism.

WOMEN URGED TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP FOR INFANT TEETHING PROBLEMS

Women in reproductive age have been encouraged to seek medical assistance when their infants face teething challenges instead of resorting to harmful traditional practices.

Speaking on Wednesday in Wote during a meeting with over 150 women from Maendeleo ya Wanawake across the county, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili expressed concern over infant deaths caused by traditional gum cutting.

She urged mothers to prioritize modern medical interventions to safeguard their children’s health.

Mulili also emphasized the importance of regular breast and cervical cancer screenings, which are ongoing at the sub-county hospitals.

Additionally, she called on women suffering from fistula to attend screenings at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote for specialized care and treatment.

In her remarks, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa provided a detailed presentation on the legal aspects of land succession, inheritance, and property management, empowering women to navigate these issues effectively.

Other topics covered during the meeting included combating gender-based violence and accessing the Makueni County Empowerment Fund.

The event was also attended by Finance Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI LAUNCHES ULTRA-POOR GRADUATION POLICY IN WOTE

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili today presided over the launch of the Ultra-Poor Graduation Policy at Wote Green Park.

The initiative, spearheaded by the County Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services in collaboration with Village Enterprise, aims to empower the ultra-poor to achieve socio-economic resilience and self-sufficiency. Through the program, beneficiaries have gained financial literacy skills, enabling them to build financial capacity and access banking services from mainstream financial institutions and the Makueni County Empowerment Fund.

The event was graced by key county leaders, including County Secretary Justin Kyambi, Executive Committee Member for Gender Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Makueni Public Service Board CEO Redempta Kavindu, and Chief Officer Nicholis Mutua, among others.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUDS MAKUENI’S YOUNG INDUSTRIALISTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has commended Makueni’s budding Industrialists, saying they present the county an opportunity for accelerated economic growth.

He spoke on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new animal feeds processing factory at Kwa Kathoka owned by BEFA FEEDS, a local feeds processing company.

The company is owned by young people, who have taken feeds processing to another level, taking on the industrial giants.

BEFA FEEDS Chief Executive Officer Faith Mumo said the company was borne in 2022 as a solution to the high cost of feeds, some of which were of low quality, orchestrating huge losses to farmers.

The company produces all livestock feeds with raw materials sourced from locals.

The company is credited for promoting fish farming in Makueni through quality fish feed. Governor Mutula has pledged support for young people to progress manufacturing in a bid to create jobs.

The event was attended by among others Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Devolution CEC Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officers Felisters Mutune and Japheth Kiminza

MAKUENI FIRST LADY GIFTS MAKONGO SPECIAL SCHOOL EARLY CHRISTMAS.

Makueni County First Lady Makueni – Anita Mutula , extended her generosity to Makongo Special School for the Deaf, providing an early Christmas gift as part of a larger initiative of supporting the needy. This event was part of Anita Mutula Foundation’s outreach program, in collaboration with Mwatu FM, whereby the donations included essential supplies coupled with a heartwarming gesture of sharing a meal with the children.

The First Lady emphasized the importance of giving with love and sustaining efforts to support vulnerable groups through partnerships.

She said there was need for comprehensive care for Persons With Disabilities(PWDs) and quality interventions, such as the provision of assistive devices and addressing the nutritional needs of PWDs.

The event was further supported by Kibwezi Well-wishers and Kaiti Greening Champions, who supported the event by reinforcing their shared mission of environmental sustainability. Additionally , the Kaiti Greening Champions, chairperson Robert Kasimu, donated solar panels and a lighting system which will enhance the school’s energy sustainability and provide reliable lighting for the students and staff.

Those in attendance were treated to fun by their popular Mwatu radio presenters such as Virginia Mwikali (aka Msupa ) and Geoffrey Musyoki (aka Kaprince) among others.Among those who attended the function included CECM Devolution, @Nicholas Nzioka.

MAKUENI COUNTY SHINES AT THE 97TH EDITION OF THE KMCF

Makueni County has showcased exceptional talent at the ongoing 97th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival held at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, Voi.

In Class 105, featuring own-choice solo performances of chants, dirges, lullabies and work songs, Ruth Wambua and Munyao Mwonga clinched 1st and 2nd positions, respectively earning trophies for their outstanding solo performances.

The County Choir also took 1st place in Class 301B for their rendition of an accredited Western sacred or secular piece in the chamber choir female voices category.

The choir also secured 2nd place in Class 481 for an original composition inspired by the festival theme.

In the fiercely contested Class 443A, the County Choir triumphed with a 1st-place finish for their rendition of the set piece Kenya Naipenda by Farah Davis.

Additionally, they also took 5th place in Class 451 for their performance of Kenyan Zilizopendwa classics.

Makueni’s excellence extended beyond music, with Kee Botanical Gardens clinching 1st place in Class 1402 for their exhibition of traditional medicine, followed by Posha Medicina, also from Makueni, in 2nd place.

These achievements highlight Makueni County’s rich cultural heritage and outstanding musical and artistic talent.