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BUSIA COUNTY SEEKS TO LEARN FROM MAKUENI’S PROJECT MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

Busia County has expressed interest in adopting Makueni’s advanced Project Monitoring and Tracking System (PMTS) to enhance project oversight, transparency and service delivery.

A delegation from Makueni, On Invitation of H.E Dr. Paul Otuoma led by CECM ICT, Education and Internship Elizabeth Muli, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, Chief Officer Irene Makau and Acting Director ICT Benjamin Makau, among other officials, is in Busia for a two-day engagement to initiate the process of onboarding Busia County to the PMTS

Under the leadership of H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, Makueni has prioritized technology-driven governance, with PMTS playing a key role in enhancing efficiency, accountability and timely project implementation.

Busia’s leadership, represented by County Secretary Oscar Juma and CECM for Public Service Pamela Awori, welcomed the partnership, acknowledging Makueni’s success in using technology to enhance accountability and ensure timely project execution.

This collaboration marks a major step in Busia’s efforts to integrate digital solutions for better governance.

UNOA COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED A GENEROUS DONATION OF 1,325 ASSORTED BOOKS FROM DIE&I, COURTESY OF FAITH MISSION

The collection, which includes storybooks and science books, will enrich the school’s library and supplement existing curriculum materials.

During the handover on February 7, 2025, the Chief Officer for ICT, Education, and Internship, Irene Makau, encouraged students to make the most of the resources to improve their academic performance, creativity, and critical thinking.

The Principal expressed gratitude, stating that the books would greatly benefit both students and teachers by fostering a stronger reading culture and enriching learning experiences.

This donation marks a significant step in supporting education at Unoa Comprehensive School, ensuring students have access to diverse learning materials to enhance their knowledge and skills.

IVIANI FARM PUTS MAKUENI ON THE MAP WITH EXPORT-QUALITY FRUIT CRISPS

Iviani farm, located deep at Kwa Kathoka village, has emerged as an example of how cottage industries are propelling Makueni County’s economy to new heights.

This farm specializes in the production of crunchy dried mango, banana, and pixie crisps which find their market in Europe, Canada, and United States as well as the Kenyan market. In a season, the farm processes up to 150 metric tons of raw mango into these sought-after munchies.

The farm, founded by Faith Mumo and Benjamin Munyao, who are still in their youth, has become a key player in supporting the county government’s efforts to stabilize mango prices, provide a reliable market for local farmers, and reduce post-harvest losses.

On Wednesday, during a visit to the farm, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, lauded the initiative for its impact on the local economy. Governor Mutula pledged his commitment to supporting youth-led start-ups through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund, to build a vibrant private sector driven by young entrepreneurs.

Faith also serves as the CEO of BEFA FEEDS—a local livestock feed manufacturing company based at Kwa Kathoka Market Centre. BEFA FEEDS provides affordable, high-quality animal feeds to farmers in the region, further strengthening the agricultural value chain. The two ventures have created hundreds of job opportunities to locals both directly and indirectly.

MAKUENI COUNTY IS REINFORCING ITS COMMITMENT TO EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION (ECDE)

Makueni County is reinforcing its commitment to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) with the construction of state-of-the-art classrooms, aligning with H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s infrastructure agenda.

During an inspection of ECDE projects in Kithasyu (Thange Ward), Yindundu and Silanga (Mtito Andei Ward), CECM for ICT, Education and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, alongside Chief Officer Irene Makau, urged contractors to expedite ongoing works.

Commending the progress, Elizabeth stressed the transformative impact of modern learning spaces on enrollment and early education quality, reaffirming the County’s dedication to world-class foundational learning.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES DIGITAL SOIL SAMPLING IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday launched a digital soil sampling exercise at Kwa Kathoka, set to cover all 30 wards in Makueni County.

The initiative, led by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) in partnership with the county government through Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) aims to assess soil fertility across the county.

Karlo Director for Environment and Natural Resources Management Dr. David Kamau, highlighted that the program was prompted by soil fertility challenges in the country.

This exercise is part of a national digital soil mapping program designed to create a soil information system that will guide farmers on soil fertility management.

Speaking during the programme launch, Governor Mutula urged farmers to cooperate with KALRO officers during the exercise, emphasizing that the findings will support better crop growth, food production and nutrition security in Makueni.

“The soil analysis will help determine nutrient levels and guide farmers on proper fertilizer application”, stated Mutula.

The exercise, expected to last three months, will involve 120 young local agripreneurs—four from each ward—who will collect soil samples, create awareness and educate farmers on the importance of soil testing.

The launch was attended by Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua, Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka, Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza (Livestock) and Dr. Victoria Kyalo (Agriculture), among other officials.

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CANCER DAY AS CASES SURGE BY 31%

Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula on Tuesday led residents in commemorating World Cancer Day at Kathonzweni Health Center, highlighting a worrying rise in cancer cases across the county.

According to statistics from Makueni County Referral Hospital, cancer cases increased from 1,745 in 2023 to 2,270 in 2024, a staggering 31% rise within a year.

In response, the County plans to expand its cancer treatment center to accommodate the growing number of patients.

She revealed that the County’s October 2024 surgical camp uncovered numerous cancer cases, particularly prostate cancer. Additionally, a breast cancer screening week in the same month recorded a 9.8% positivity rate, underscoring the need for regular screening.

Hospital registries further indicate that breast cancer was the most diagnosed type in Makueni in 2024, with 555 cases (552 women and 3 men), followed by prostate cancer at 479 and cervical cancer at 210.

However, the First Lady expressed concern over the county’s low HPV vaccine uptake, emphasizing the urgent need to protect young girls from cervical cancer.

During the event, she also launched a three-month community-based digitalized screening program targeting breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

Makueni has been partnering with The National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Roche and Savannah Global Health Institute in the fight against Cancer among others.

KYANG’ONDU STOCKYARD COMMISSIONED

Livestock traders and farmers in Kako Waia Ward and surrounding areas have received a major boost with the commissioning of the Kyang’ondu Stockyard.

The facility features two livestock compartments with separate gates, a ticketing and revenue booth, a vaccination crush and a traders’ shed. It is designed to accommodate between 300 to 400 cattle.

Addressing hundreds of residents during the event, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Ms. Joyce Mutua encouraged locals to embrace the project.

Ms. Mutua further highlighted that the stockyard aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s vision of economic empowerment by creating job opportunities.

Attending the occasion, area Member of County Assembly Hon. Dennis Mutinda commended the Agriculture Department for its ongoing support to farmers and pledged his commitment to furthering agricultural development.

The stockyard is expected to boost livestock trade, generate revenue for the county government and positively impact the local economy.

Also in attendance was the Chief Officer Livestock Fisheries and Cooperatives Development, Japheth Kiminza along with other national and local officials.

MAKUENI’S WATER DEPARTMENT CALLS FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO COMBAT VANDALISM OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

The Department of Water and Sanitation is urgently appealing for community assistance to address the rampant vandalism of water infrastructure, which has caused severe disruptions in water distribution across the county.

Since last year, water installations valued at Sh 45 million have been vandalized, with the vandals targeting solar panels, generators, G.I. pipes, water tanks, gate valves, air valves, and other critical components of water distribution systems. These acts of sabotage have left thousands of residents without reliable access to water.

On Tuesday, County Executive for Water, Eng. John Kieti, inspected the vandalized Kaangi borehole and Kamuthini water projects. The destruction of these facilities has plunged over 1,500 households into a water crisis, exacerbating the challenges faced by the community.

Kieti emphasized that, in addition to collaborating with the community to tackle this issue, the county government will henceforth implement stringent security measures. These include erecting razor-sharp fencing around key water source points, installing CCTV cameras for surveillance, and amending the Makueni Water Act to classify vandalism as an act of economic sabotage, with offenders facing severe penalties.

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT VALIDATES DRAFT FOOD AND NUTRITION POLICY

The Department of Health Services on Monday held a multi-sectoral forum at Kusyombunguo Hotel to validate a draft Food and Nutrition Policy aimed at enhancing food security and improving community well-being.

The multi-sectoral framework seeks to strengthen food and nutrition security in the County while promoting social development and overall public health.

Additionally, it provides a strategic response to the County’s unique food and nutrition challenges by identifying key factors contributing to malnutrition.

Among those who attended was Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, ECMs and officials from departments of Health Services, Agriculture, Lands, Finance, Gender, Devolution, County Attorney and a host of members of the County Assembly.

The initiative is receiving both technical and financial support from Nutrition International.