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MAKUENI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ANGLICAN CHURCH AGRO-ENTERPRISE FOR FARMER TRAINING.

June 14, 2024

The County Steering Committee for the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), led by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, toured the Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise on Friday to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

The enterprise specializes in apiculture (beekeeping), poultry, horticulture, and pig farming, serving as the primary foodstuff supplier for the Resort. 

A key area identified for collaboration is the training of farmers on best agricultural practices to enhance profitability among small-scale farmers in the county.

“The Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise offers a unique model of diversified farming that can greatly benefit our local farmers,” Mutua stated. 

By partnering with them, the county aims to provide farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their productivity and profitability.

FARMERS GAIN INSIGHTS INTO INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS AT FIELD DAY

June 13, 2024

Farmers attended a field day at Wonder Farm in Makindu to learn about innovative agricultural technologies implemented by Phoebe Mwangangi,the farm’s owner, to promote climate-smart agriculture, enhance food security and support sustainable economic growth. 

Key takeaways included:

Minimum Soil Disturbance: Utilizing practices like no-till or reduced-till farming to maintain soil fertility, enhance water retention, and support plant growth.

Deep Tillage: Plowing soil deeper than 12 inches to alleviate compaction, promote root growth, and improve water and nutrient distribution.

Intercropping: Growing multiple crops together in the same field to optimize space, increase yields, enhance soil health, and reduce pests and diseases.

Zai Pits: Employing small planting pits filled with organic matter to boost water retention and soil fertility, thereby increasing crop yields in arid regions.

Mulching:  Covering soil with materials such as straw, leaves, or plastic to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and enhance fertility.

Surface Run-off Rainwater Harvesting:  Collecting rainwater from rooftops or impermeable surfaces, directing it into storage for irrigation and household use, thereby conserving water and minimizing erosion.

Planting Drought-Tolerant Crops:  Cultivating crop varieties adapted to thrive with minimal water, crucial for regions susceptible to drought, ensuring consistent crop yields.

The event was organized by the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. UNVEILS UPGRADED KASIKEU MODEL HEALTH CENTER TO BOOST LOCAL HEALTHCARE.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Unveils Upgraded Kasikeu Model Health Center to Boost Local Healthcare

In a significant stride towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure health and well-being for all, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspected the newly renovated Kasikeu Model Health Centre and a construction of a waiting bay within the facility in Kilome on Thursday.

The Kasikeu Model Health Center, now enhanced to better serve its community, caters to an average catchment population of 8,000 residents and handles a monthly patient workload of approximately 1,400. This renovation is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the area.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and other government officials, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is in Kilome Sub-county to oversee and inaugurate a series of development programs aimed at bolstering local infrastructure and services.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. COMMISSIONS ADVANCED COMPUTERIZED X-RAY PROCESSORS TO REVOLUTIONIZE HEALTHCARE IN SULTAN HAMUD AND FOUR OTHER AREAS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Commissions Advanced Computerized X-Ray Processors to Revolutionize Healthcare in Sultan Hamud and four other Areas

Residents of Sultan Hamud, Kilungu, Kibwezi, Mbooni, and Tawa will no longer need to travel long distances for X-ray services. This is after governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commissioned computerized X-ray processors, that significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of radiographic examinations.

These advanced digital systems replace traditional film-based X-ray methods, offering numerous advantages such as improved image quality, faster processing times, and overall operational efficiency. This upgrade not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also improves workflow, reduces costs, minimizes hazardous waste, and promotes environmental sustainability.

Governor Mutula highlighted the benefits of these high-tech X-ray systems, noting that they will contribute to better diagnostic accuracy, streamlined medical workflows, and significant cost savings.

OVER 8,000 KASIKEU WARD RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM MUATINENI BOREHOLE WATER DISTRIBUTION.

More than 8,000 residents of Kasikeu Ward are set to benefit from the Muatineni borehole water distribution initiative, a collaborative effort between the Makueni County Government and Water Mission Kenya.

The borehole, which meets a water demand of approximately 92,000 liters, will feature 15 water points, ensuring broad access throughout the community. These points will include Sultan Hamud Primary and Secondary Schools, a market sanitation facility, Sultan Hamud Hospital, Msingi Bora Primary School, a market shed tap among other facilities.

Additionally, the project will support individual household connections, further enhancing water accessibility for residents.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. INSPECTS MAJOR REHABILITATION OF CHIEF KIAMBA WATER PAN.

In the spirit of enhancing water accessibility and food security in Makueni, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday inspected Chief Kiamba water pan rehabilitation works in Kasikeu ward. The refurbished dam, with a capacity of approximately 50,000 cubic meters, will serve over 1,500 livestock and provide essential water resources to 500 households in the area.

This ambitious water harvesting project is a cornerstone of Governor Mutula’s vision to ensure that every resident has access to water within 2 kilometers of their homesteads. By facilitating irrigation, the project is also set to boost local food security.

Governor Mutula assured residents that Makueni will achieve universal water coverage by the end of his tenure, emphasizing his commitment to transforming the county into a food basket for both its residents and neighboring regions.

MSME DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

The Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism through the directorate of Trade, Marketing and Industry is mandated to develop and implement Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development programs in the county.
In this regard, a 2-day training session to assist MSMEs unlock their business potential was organized. The training scheduled for 10th & 11th June 2024 at Acacia Hotel in Wote, Makueni County covered the following areas;
i) Getting started
ii) Business registration and licensing in the county
ii) Capital requirements
iii) Access to financing and financial management
iv) Development of networks and partners
v) Introduction to export trade
vi) Development of export market strategies
vii) Product development, product certification and branding for export
viii) Identifying export markets and linkages
For effective implementation, the department engaged various stakeholders including Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), Kenya Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Makueni Revenue Office.

GOVERNOR MUTULA IN PARTNERSHIP TALKS WITH HIVOS TO BOOST YOUTH ENTERPRISES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday hosted a high powered delegation from Hivos to explore partnership opportunities in support of youth-led social enterprises by establishing an enabling environment for their growth.Through a program dubbed Youth-led Economic empowerment Action Program (Y-LEAP), the partnership seeks to create economic and employment opportunities for 100,000 young people in digital and green economies between 2024 and 2028.The program is spearheaded by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services and that of Energy.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. RECEIVES THE COMMENDATION TROPHY AND CERTIFICATE AWARDED TO THE COUNTY AT THE SOUTH EASTERN KENYA MACHAKOS NATIONAL SHOW, HELD LAST WEEK.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. receives the commendation trophy and certificate awarded to the county at the South Eastern Kenya Machakos National Show, held last week.

Makueni was recognized for its outstanding display across a wide range of agricultural value chains, aligning with this year’s theme of promoting climate-smart agriculture.

Governor Mutula congratulated the staff from the Department of Agriculture and expressed appreciation for the county’s collaboration with the Agricultural Society of Kenya.

The award was presented on Tuesday by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and her Chief Officer, Dr. Victoria Kyallo.

LIVESTOCK FARMERS BENEFIT FROM FREE VETERINARY MEDICAL CAMP

June 11, 2024

At least 100 livestock farmers from Kawese Village in Kasikeu Ward have benefited from a free veterinary medical camp aimed at combating diseases exacerbated by recent floods.

The initiative included vaccinations against endemic diseases such as Rift Valley Fever in cattle, sheep, and goats, and Lumpy Skin disease in cattle. Dogs were also vaccinated against rabies to help control dog-mediated human rabies.

In total, 600 cattle, 1200 sheep and goats, and 200 dogs were vaccinated.

Veterinary officers from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock also provided other essential services such as deworming, wound management, and various clinical treatments.