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DG leads negotiations with Israeli global solar firm

Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau has said Makueni County has greater potential in solar energy that remains an attraction to  investors in the green energy sector.

Mwau who met a top Israeli green energy investor the CEO of Gigawatts Global Mr Yosef Abramowitz  in Nairobi on Thursday said that despite the potential, most households in Makueni  County remained unlit with electricity cost  too prohibitive for the locals.

Mwau said the county has opened doors to potential investors showing interest in solar harvesting in the area adding that the  county’s 10 hours of sunshine a day could be turned into a blessing through solar harvesting initiatives.

“Our county has not benefitted majorly from the national government’s  rural electrification plan.This could be the way out. It could help us get power and facilitate the lighting of the Makueni villages,”Mwau said.

Speaking during the meeting Mr Abramowitz said Gigawatts Global is interested in potential partnership  in the energy related areas.

He said his organisation is a leader in green energy installations around the world and that the company has successfully ventured in Africa adding that any initiative in Makueni will be supported.

“We are open to any working relationship with Makueni county.We are impressed by the strong governance credentials shown by the county government.It shows it will be very easy for us to work with you,”Mr Abramowitz said.

Transport ECM Sebastian Kyoni who was also present said the county is ready to work with Gigawatts Global once they are ready to make a move.

“We have the capacity to host a major solar power investment.If Gigawatts makes a move we will partner with them,” he said.

Five of 21 Suspects Linked to The Defilement Case of A 15-Year Old Pupil Transferred to Different Law Courts

Kilungu law courts senior resident magistrate Charles Mayamba has this morning referred five of the 21 suspects who allegedly defiled a 15-year-old pupil in Ilima Ward to different law courts within Makueni County.

Mathew Mumbu, a primary school teacher will on 24th of July 2018 be arraigned in Makindu law courts for the mention while Paul Musau, will have his case mentioned on 26th of this month at Tawa law courts.
Mayamba reported that his decision was arrived at from his previous ruling on the same case where he convicted a man for a life sentence.

‘’It would be detrimental and against the tenets of Justice for me to continue with these cases owing to documented opinion in my judgement in the other cases’’ he said.

Last month the magistrate also convicted a 30-year-old for 80 years in prison for defiling his five-year-old daughter.

Thirteen other suspects accused of defiling the class six pupil on different dates between February and May are still at large and the police are looking for them.
Fida Kenya sent two lawyers to give legal support to the complainant’s case.

Deputy governor Adelina Mwau who has been following the case keenly sat through the proceedings and expressed her satisfaction in the way the case is being handled.

She said that in the past, for years such cases were catching dust under magistrates’ watch while perpetrators roomed free.

‘’We have lost evidence in many cases without proper explanation but we are now registering our satisfaction in the way defilement cases are being handled in Makueni,” Mwau noted.

Mwau in meeting with women leaders to strategize on stemming children rights abuses

Makueni women leaders on Friday  held a consultative meeting to brainstorm on strengthening coordination, response and prevention of children rights violation.

The forum convened by the Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau brought together women County Executive Committee Members,MCAs,Chief Officers,Sub County Administrators and officials from the Maendeleo ya Wanawake organization.

Mwau asked members of the County Assembly to pass child protection policies that will soon be proposed by the executive and forwarded to the assembly for consideration.

“I want to urge the members of the county assembly in Makueni to pass Bills on child protection policies that the executive brings forward,”She said.

The DG who was speaking at the Hunters lodge in Makindu also said that a gender recovery center is also being set up at the Makueni level 4 hospital.

The deputy governor also urged the women leaders to sensitize the local residents to bring out social needs during county public participation for budgeting.

“Water and roads are very important to our lives, but most of the parents cannot afford sanitary towels for their children.So some are enticed into immorality to survive We can budget as a county and save our girls,’’ She said.

Mwau promised to consolidate both the county assembly and the executive so that they create awareness in the society.

“During our public participation  barazas this will be top in the list as we talk development,’’ She said.

The DG also proposed that the ministry of education trains the county ECDE teachers and the training programme be included in their performance appraisals.

She said that ECDE teachers mingle a lot with the baby class pupils whose rights gets violated in most cases.and they go silent on it.

Equality Now campaigns officer Florence Machio who was the facilitator urged the leaders to bring teachers and parents on board,saying that in most cases they are the first people to discover rights abuses against children.

“If teachers and parents are left out in this discussion, we will not have solved the delinquent matter. They need to know steps they need to take in case children are sexually abused’’ She said.

Machio said that corruption sometimes hinders the process, accusing some doctors of receiving bribes from the perpetrators to kill the evidence.

“She pleaded with the county government to create avenues in schools where proper structures can be put in place so that the children can highlight their plight freely.

Janet Kitung’a,a nominated MCA said she has been pushing to have members of the county assembly represented in the Court users committee for public participation in judicial processes.

According to the children’s officer in the county Ms Evelyn Kaluki, Makueni law court in Wote reported 22 cases of defilement, four incest cases and five rape cases to girls over eighteen years old but still in school in 2017.

In 2018 from January to June already 13 defilement cases  have been reported.

Kibwana receives Kibwezi land from Nairobi firm

Makueni County government on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dwa Estate Limited to transfer to the County Government a portion of land for the benefit of the local community.

The MoU was signed by Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana, who was accompanied by the Executive Committee Member for Lands and physical planning Joshua Wambua and Dwa Estate Limited managing director Neil Cuthbert at Nairobi.

The piece of land approximately 25 acres located between the existing PCEA church, the old railway line and the Kibwezi – Kitui road will now be accessed and used by the county after the company granted it a license.

According to Prof Kibwana, the land will be used to improve the ability of the local population to enhance their economic productivity so as to increase income and provide employment opportunities to the local community.

“The land donated to us will improve the economy of our people as well as provide job opportunities to them,” said the governor.

County allocates Ksh. 1 million to promote silkworm rearing

The government has allocated Sh 1 million to promote sericulture across the country.

Agriculture Chief Officer  Mary Muteti said the move is part of county government’s strategy to support poverty reduction programs.

Ms Muteti who was addressing participants at a silkworm farming forum said the promotion of sericulture will aid income generation among the locals.

She said the government is also looking into ways of increasing value addition and marketing of silk finished products.

Over 20 groups participated in the event organised in partnership with Tosheka company.

Deputy governor Adelina Mwau  who attended the event said silkworm rearing is a major economic enhancing activity with huge benefits to the households of the participating farmers.

She said the direct selling of  silkworm products will help create employment opportunities for the locals.

“It is a viable and profitable venture especially to the women and the youth,” Mwau said.

Kibwana, Lusaka tell youth to claim their space in the country’s development

Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka have challenged the youth in the country to claim their space in the country’s development agenda and leadership.

The two spoke at the Kenya School of Government in an address to representatives of the youth from across the 47 counties during an inaugural Youth and Devolution symposium.

Prof Kibwana told the youth not to allow the country lose direction while watching from the periphery as they stood to lose the most.

“You must not allow your country to lose direction under your watch as you will be around much longer and will lose most. You have to be a people fired up to achieve a mission in nurturing the future,” Prof Kibwana told the symposium.

He said the youth should use their numerical strength to push for their agenda and shun the culture of tribalism, handouts and protests as the only way to be heard.

“Young people make almost 70 percent of the Kenyan population. With these numbers, they can work for change that favour them, either through the electoral process or through pushing for adequate budgetary allocation for their agenda in public participation forums,” he said.

Prof Kibwana said young people cannot decry lack of experience as those who started off the country after independence were under 30s without prior experience.

Mr Lusaka challenged the youth to be in the forefront in addressing tribal balkanisation and hail true Kenyan patriotism if they are to succeed in advancing their agenda and driving a positive change in the country’s leadership.

The governor and the speaker insisted on morality, ethical and spiritual values for the young people to steer a positive change capable of safeguarding the interests of the future generations.

Kibwana, Polish diplomat say growing Makueni ASK show good for Agricultural promotion

Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Friday officially opened the second edition of the county’s agricultural show at Makindu saying that it provides a nearer and convenient venue for exhibition by farmers in Makueni.

Prof Kibwana who was accompanied by Polish ambassador to Kenya  Jacek Bazanski who had earlier  paid a courtesy call to his office toured several exhibition stands where Makueni farmers showcased agricultural products and technological innovations.

” As you are aware Makueni has been served by the Machakos show previously. Our farmers therefore will have a nearer and convenient venue for exhibition, ” Prof Kibwana said.

He further noted that his government has initiated and subsidized several farm inputs including the artificial insemination services in order to support agricultural production which has been a challenge to farmers.

He said: ” We are aware that the cost of production by farmers is a challenge to many. To this end, my government has subsidized several farm inputs..Among them, AI services with farmers now paying sh 300 per insemination down from the  initial Sh 1,300.”

Makueni Deputy governor Adelina Mwau challenged farmers to implement what they had learnt from the show terming it as a very educative event.

 

” I celebrate the exhibitors and organisers of this show. Let’s implement what we have learnt here, ” the DG said.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior who was present during the official opening of the trade fair challenged exhibitors and farmers from Makueni to take advantage of the upcoming Machakos agricultural show and showcase innovations and products from Makueni.

” Different constituencies in our county produce different agricultural products. Let’s take advantage of the upcoming Machakos show and display our products there, ” Mutula stated.

The trade fair was also attended by the County Assembly speaker, Douglas Mbilu, Several county executive committee members and other government officials, members of  the county assembly and officials from Agricultural Show of Kenya.

Hope for cotton farmers as Kibwana moves to revive cash crop

Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana has launched campaigns for the revival of cotton farming in the county.

Talks are in top gear to initiate the revival of cotton farming with mobilization targeting previous cotton sectors in the area already launched.

Addressing delegates at the Business to Business Forum held at the Kusyombunguo hotel in Wote Town on Thursday Prof Kibwana said efforts are being made to revive the cash crop killed by mismanagement of the industry during the Kanu regime.

 He said the Department of Agriculture has been mobilizing farmers to sensitize them about ongoing efforts to restart the cash crop farming in the area.

“We want to revive the cotton sector, here in Makueni it used to thrive in the past and we must find a way of getting it back,”Prof Kibwana said.

He said that a number of stakeholders in the sector have been contacted and that they have already expressed interest in working with the county government to support the cotton farming revival.

Said Prof Kibwana: “We had a meeting yesterday with farmers. We have begun sensitizing our farmers to go back to cotton farming.”

The governor called on local parents to allocate land to their young children interested in cash crop farming.

Agriculture ECM Lawrence Nzunga said the department was keen on supporting the revival of cotton farming in Makueni saying it was an activity with great potential for the local residents.

“We are talking to people about it. We are happy that many are getting interested and experts are already here to provide professional guidance as we plan the revival,” said Mr Nzunga.

Delegates from various counties participated in the forum organized by Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity and sponsored by FeediFuture and USAID.

I get treated in our Local Public Hospitals when unwell: Kibwana

Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana has revealed he has always sought treatment from public hospitals within the county due to quality services provided by various local health institutions.

Unlike his colleagues known for seeking treatment abroad Prof Kibwana said he at one point went through a successful slight operation from the Makueni Level 4 hospital, saying improved health services in various public health facilities in the county has made local institutions preferable.

“I get treated in our hospitals here.When I fall sick I go to the Level Four hospital and when I get unwell when in Nairobi I go to hospitals there.

Many of our staff also go to our public hospitals here in Makueni despite having enrolled in various medical schemes. It shows we have confidence in our institutions,”Prof Kibwana said.

The governor who was speaking during the Health Workers Excellence Awards Ceremony held at Kwa Kathoka to honour successful employees of the county’s department of health said Makueni medical staff had generally performed well in the implementation of programs under their mandate.

“Even though we are recognizing people here who made it.There are many others who are not here but who also contributed to this success,”Prof Kibwana noted.

He singled out the implementation the Universal Health Care program saying it had propelled the county to higher levels nationally.

“I am really very happy to join you this morning as we celebrate the achievement of various health department staff. Indeed you have made Makueni proud,”the governor said.

He said the successful Universal Health Care program was initiated by the leadership of the department and congratulated them for coming up with a largely successful idea.

Prof Kibwana said he was keen on major improvements in the local healthcare systems for the benefit of the people before his retirement as governor.

He also urged the department to ensure revenue obtained through charges levied on NHIF card holders was collected and used to support infrastructural development in various hospitals.

Mwau visits an assaulted woman at Makindu Level 4 Hospital

Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau yesterday visited a 25-year-old woman whose tongue was nearly cut by unknown people at Makindu level 4 hospital.

Grace Mwikali narrated her ordeal to the DG, noting that she went into a comma after the attack only to wake up several hours later outside Tumaini bar with her tongue daggling outside her mouth.

She said  that she had walked into the Tumaini pub in Makindu for a drink when the incident happened.

Ms Mwikali told the DG that she was attacked after relocating to an adjacent bar where she had been joined by two other friends.

“What followed after is still a misery to me because I cannot  remember anything but I can recall holding up my tongue from falling with blood oozing from my mouth at wee hours,” She said.

She explained to Mwau that friends who have visited her at the hospital have indicated that some suspects have been apprehended.

Ms Mwikali, the mother of two is said to have been picked by police officers on patrol and rushed to Makindu level 4 hospital where she has been receiving medication.

Mwau condemned the attack describing it as part of a sustained abuse against women and called on the police to apprehend all the attackers saying they had no right to abuse her.

“If they are found guilty let them be prosecuted and serve their punishment,” the DG said.

“As leaders we must initiate campaigns against alcoholism and create awareness, if we want Makueni to be a poverty free county,” she noted.

Mwau said that alcohol for women can be dangerous adding that they become more vulnerable for rape and attacks.

Dr. Khalid Kibwezi West sub-county medical officer of health said Ms Mwikali was brought to the hospital on May 25 by the police who picked her by the roadside.

“She wasn’t coherent on the first days but after her tongue stitched that is when she regained consciousness,”Dr.Khalid said.