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SENSITIZATION AND ONBOARDING OF WOTE TOWN VENDORS TO SOKO MAKUENI.

In a recent online development, the County Directorates of Marketing and Trade Development and ICT conducted an intensive training program for traders in the use of Soko Makueni E-Portal platform. The purpose of this initiative was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

During the training sessions, participants were introduced to the various features and functionalities of the E-Portal platform, including user registration, account management, and how to access and utilize the available resources and services.


Speaking during the launch of the training, CECM Trade Eng. Peter Nyamai encouraged traders to embrace digital technology in vision of growing their businesses beyond their trading areas.


Special emphasis was placed on security measures to ensure the protection of user data and privacy. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing increased confidence in using the E-Portal for their daily tasks. The training is seen as a crucial step in promoting a seamless and efficient digital experience for all users. The Department of Trade and Marketing behind the E-Portal platform has plans to continue offering regular training sessions to ensure that users remain well-versed in its capabilities and to foster a digitally literate trading community.

37 Water Projects Commissioned to Ease Water Access

The Department of Water and Sanitation on September 22, 2023 commissioned 37 complete water projects to bring quality potable water closer to the people.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr dispatched his entire cabinet to commission the projects in all the six sub-counties, in a move aimed at reducing the distance residents walk to available water sources to less than two kms from their homes.

The commissioned projects are among 54 completed within the first year of Governor Mutula’s administration in 2022-2023 Financial Year.

Move to higher grounds, avert El Nino related disasters, Governor Mutula warns Makueni locals

Makueni County in collaboration with the Kenya Redcross Society conducted an Aqua Rescue Training targeted to Makueni County Fire Brigade and KRCS First responders to enhance their effectiveness in responding to water related emergencies and disasters in preparation to the anticipated El Nno rainfall likely to occur between October and December this year.
The training was conducted by trainers (with technical support from the professional consultant divers ) from the Kenya Redcross Disaster Operations Center
After completing the two days training the team was awarded certificates by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. together with the regional Manager, Eastern KRCS.
He asked those from risky areas like lowlands, and areas previously affected by landslides to migrate to safer grounds.
 

Thousands to benefit from Mwania water project

More than 5 villages, 3 public primary schools of Kathaayoni, Kwa Nzula, Mwania primary and Mwania dispensary in Kitise, Makueni sub county will benefit following the construction of a water pipeline, new water kiosks, storage tanks and installation of water pumping system from Mwania borehole.
The project done in partnership between Makueni and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), a non governmental organisation for development and humanitarian aid is bound to advance the Governor’s agenda of ensuring water is brought closer to many households.
 
 

Jacaranda Health and ThinkWell join forces with Makueni County to Strengthen Maternal and Child Healthcare.

 In a landmark move aimed at improving maternal and child healthcare in Makueni County, Jacaranda Health and ThinkWell have joined forces with the county government to launch a three-year Kenya Quality Ecosystem project. 
 
This collaborative partnership seeks to link maternal and newborn health solutions with the available budget and establish a data-driven approach to address the challenges faced by mothers throughout their healthcare journeys. 
 
The ultimate goal is to drive cost efficiencies in health funds, prioritize investments in innovations, and enhance delivery of quality care, thereby positively impacting health outcomes.
 
The project commenced with a comprehensive baseline Facility Quality Assessment and Health Financing Landscaping across 30 healthcare facilities spanning the six sub-counties of Makueni.
It underscored the need for appropriate revenue allocation towards maternal, newborn, and child health, revealing opportunities for significant improvements.
 
As a result of these findings, various innovative programs have been initiated to enhance service delivery. These programs include the production of Quality of Care reports, optimization of health financing initiatives and continued implementation of Jacaranda Health’s free two-way SMS service, and a mentorship program designed to boost nurses’ confidence and preparedness to handle emergencies.
 
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, who led the meeting, reiterated the county government’s unwavering commitment to advancing the healthcare agenda. 
 
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) program to enhance service delivery. 
 
The partnership between ThinkWell and Jacaranda Health, which initially commenced in 2019 in Makueni County, has been marked by collaborative efforts to improve healthcare service delivery.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr attends consultative forum for the handing over of the konza bufferzone Physical and Land Use Development plan.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr attends consultative forum for the handing over of the konza bufferzone Physical and Land Use Development plan to the counties of Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado.
Thereafter, the county governments will take the plan through approval process in the Cabinets and County Assemblies before sign-off. The approved plans will be adopted by the governors and the plans will be filed with the County Governments and the National Government.
Other leaders present include: Douglas Mbilu (speaker-Makueni County Assembly), various MCAs drawn from Makueni Machakos, and Kajiado lands committees.

DISTRIBUTION OF MARKET CLEANING TOOLS

Market Cleaning Program is a significant step towards improving the cleanliness and overall hygiene of our local markets. This program aligns with our commitment to fostering a healthier and more sustainable environment within our trading areas.

Our markets in Makueni County are not only places of commerce but also vital hubs of community interaction. They serve as economic drivers and places where diverse members of our community converge. However, over time, concerns have arisen regarding their cleanliness and sanitation. These issues not only affect the well-being of our community but also the perception of our markets. The Market Cleaning Program is designed with the objective to;

  • Enhance Hygiene: Implement regular cleaning and sanitation measures to ensure a clean and hygienic market environment for vendors and visitors alike.
  • Beautification:Beautify market areas through landscaping, waste management, and improved infrastructure.
  • Community Involvement: Encourage active participation from vendors, local businesses, and community members to take ownership of the cleanliness of our markets.

In view of achieving the above objectives, the Directorate of Trade has outlined a comprehensive plan, which includes:

  1. Regular Cleaning Schedule: Implementing a consistent cleaning schedule with dedicated personnel responsible for daily maintenance.
  2. Waste Management: Introducing proper waste disposal facilities and practices to minimize litter and promote recycling.
  3. Awareness Campaigns: Conducting awareness campaigns to educate market stakeholders and the community about the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.
  4. Community Engagement: Organizing volunteer-driven cleanup events, involving local schools, businesses, and residents.
  5. Infrastructure Upgrades: Evaluating and making necessary infrastructure improvements to ensure long-term sustainability.
  6. Empowering Market Participants: We believe that the success of this program hinges on the active involvement and empowerment of market participants.

Thus, the Trade directorate has initiated a program to furnish cleaners in over 120 markets earmarked for cleaning with sanitation equipment and is committed to work closely with vendors, business associations, community groups to ensure our markets are transformed into cleaner, safer, and more vibrant entrepreneurial spaces.

PS Kello Lauds Makueni’s Exemplary Farmer Profiling Exercise

Permanent Secretary State Department for Crop Development Kello Harsama has lauded Makueni for its exemplary Farmer profiling exercise.
PS Kello noted that Makueni was among the counties which had made commendable strides in the exercise which is ongoing across the country, aimed at collecting and documenting data on farmers.
 
He praised Makueni on Tuesday when he visited a number of farmers in Utangwa, in a bid to assess the progress of the exercise, noting that similar initiative had aborted in some counties due to malpractice in the recruitment of the agri-prenures.
 
He stated, ” We said we visit the counties that are progressing well in the farmer profiling. Makueni has done very well while in other counties the exercise was stopped due to malpractice in recruiting the enumerators.”
 
The exercise will close on 8th, October 2023  and officials called on farmers to avail as accurate information as possible.
 
The PS was hosted by Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and other senior county officials.
 
Mulili thanked the National Government for the support they had rendered to the county government, highlighting successful recruitment of the agri-prenures and dispatching of Sh 4.7 Million worth of cherry fund to Makueni coffee farmers.

A workshop focused on the validation of the Animal Feed Strategy.

Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Daniel Ndolo on Tuesday officially inaugurated a crucial 3-day workshop focused on the validation of the Animal Feed Strategy.
The event, attended by key stakeholders in the agriculture and livestock sectors, marks a significant step towards ensuring sustainable and efficient animal husbandry practices in the county
The workshop, staged at Kusyombunguo is organized by the County  Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the State Department of Livestock and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) aims to validate and refine the Animal Feed Strategy, which is poised to have a substantial impact on the agricultural and livestock industries.
 
In his opening remarks, Ndolo highlighted the importance of optimizing animal feed strategies for the benefit of both farmers and consumers.
 He stated, “Our commitment to modernizing agriculture and ensuring food security begins with the well-being of our livestock. An efficient and sustainable animal feed strategy is the cornerstone of achieving these objectives.Through this workshop, we aim to harness the collective expertise of our key stakeholders to enhance the quality and efficiency of animal feed production.”
Over the course of the 3-day workshop, participants will engage in intensive discussions, presentations, and collaborative sessions to:
 
    Evaluate the existing Animal Feed Strategy and identify areas for improvement.
    Review recent advancements in animal nutrition science and technology.
    Share best practices and success stories from within the industry.
    Develop a roadmap for the implementation and dissemination of the validated Animal Feed Strategy.
 
The workshop has attracted a diverse group of attendees, including farmers, researchers, industry representatives, policymakers, and Non-Governmental Organizations, all of whom play pivotal roles in the Agriculture and livestock industry.