Tourism

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.

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.

MAKUENI PRESENTS 342 PARTICIPANTS AT THE 97th KENYA MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS.

The 97th edition of the Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals was officially launched on Tuesday at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic in Voi, marking the start of a thrilling ten-day celebration of Kenya’s vibrant artistic and cultural heritage.

The event, which was graced by Taita Taveta Deputy Governor H.E. Christine Saru Kilalo, promises a rich array of performances, including music choirs, drama, spoken word, narratives and cultural exhibitions drawn from all over the country.

During the opening ceremony, Kilalo warmly welcomed participants and visitors to Taita Taveta, urging the competitors to celebrate the nation’s diverse cultures through their performances.

Makueni County made a notable contribution to the festival with 342 participants led the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism by Dr. Sonia Nzilani,

Dr. Nzilani expressed confidence in Makueni’s strong performance, highlighting the county’s continued commitment to nurturing and developing its arts, music and cultural sectors.

The launch ceremony also featured a spirited and electrifying modern dance performance by Wote Technical Training Institute, which had previously taken first place in 96th edition of KMCF held in Makueni.

The ceremony was attended by KMCF Chairperson Prof. Emily Akuno, Kenya Cultural Centre Chief Executive Officer Michael Pundo, Makueni’s Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani among other national and county government officials.

MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT INITIATES TALKS WITH CHURCH LEADERS TO ESTABLISH A PILGRIMAGE CENTER.

The Tourism Directorate on Wednesday launched consultative meetings with church leaders in the county to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a pilgrimage center.

The meeting attended by representatives from various Christian denominations, including Africa Inland Church, Anglican Church of Kenya, African Brotherhood Church, Salvation Army and Catholic Church focused on creating a framework for the development of a dedicated space for worship and personal spiritual growth and was open to all denominations.

Leading the forum, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani highlighted the importance of unity in faith emphasizing that once actualized, the center would serve as a touristic platform to bring Christians together for a shared purpose.

Attending the meeting, Bishop Joshua Mativo of the Africa Inland Church lauded the county government’s initiative appreciating the inclusion of the church in planning for an environment of worship and personal reflection.

Upon implementation, the pilgrimage center proposed at Nzaui Hill aims to boost local tourism and create economic opportunities for the community with improved infrastructure.

The meeting attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, Rev. Dominic Kasoo of ACK, Captain Patrick Mwangangi of Salvation Army and Reverend Canon Daniel Mutua of ABC marks the beginning of a masterplan series of forums that will help shape the development of the pilgrimage masterplan.

MAKUENI COUNTY KICKS OFF 2024 MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL.

Makueni County Music and Cultural Festival 2024 has officially been launched today at GreenPark Wote. The event highlights the county’s commitment to promoting cultural and musical development.

With 166 entries from various wards, the festival showcases a wide range of local talents including music and dance, elocution, and theatre and film.

The festival themed, “Utamaduni Wetu ni Nguzo ya Utajiri Wetu”, was opened by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism CECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani. Nzilani stated that, “the county government is dedicated to safeguarding our cultural heritage and advancing the arts as a pathway to economic prosperity.”

Top performers from todays event will advance to the 97th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival set for December 1-10, 2024, in Taita Taveta.

The CECM was accompanied by Chief Officer, Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani and Culture Director Mutua Mulonzya.

MAKUENI TOURISM BOOTH TAKES CENTER STAGE AT MAGICAL KENYA EXPO.

Makueni County is participating in this year’s MagicalKenya Travel Expo, which kicked off on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Makueni’s booth has garnered significant attention, with visitors eager to learn more about the county’s unique tourist destinations, the scenic views, vibrant Akamba culture and available travel packages.

The exhibition was launched by President William Samoei Ruto and has drawn over 300 exhibitors, 160 buyers and more than 70 global media outlets, and seeks to offer a prime platform for the country to showcase its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings.

The theme of the 3-day expo is “Explore, Connect, Celebrate,” and highlights Makueni’s efforts to boost tourism and promote local attractions.

INDIAN RESEARCH SCIENTIST PROF. RAJENDRAN JOINED GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ON TUESDAY AS HE HOSTED A TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA (NPI).

Indian research scientist Prof. Rajendran joined Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday as he hosted a team from the National Museums of Kenya (NPI). The meeting focused on finding ways to turn indigenous knowledge into practical innovations that can be marketed.

The visit comes after the completion of the indigenous knowledge documentation in Makueni County. It also sets the stage for the upcoming international investment conference, where key Kamba cultural assets will be showcased to potential investors.

THE TOURISM SECTOR IN MAKUENI COUNTY HAS EMERGED AS A PROMISING AVENUE FOR JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

The tourism sector in Makueni County has emerged as a promising avenue for job creation and economic growth.

As the world celebrates the Tourism Week, the cultural heritage, booming agribusiness, scenic landscapes and unique wildlife in Makueni offers vast opportunities for both local and international visitors.

To tap this great potential, the County Government has implemented a strategic plan aimed at growing this sector.

Significant milestones have already been achieved, including the development of key infrastructure, promotion of eco-tourism and enhancement of cultural tourism through community involvement.

#TourismAndPeace

MAKUENI, TSAVO TRUST AGREE TO A JOINT MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE CONFLICT IN MTITO ANDEI.

Residents in Mtito Andei area are looking at better days free from attacks by wild animals after the County Government of Makueni signed a working partnership with Tsavo Trust, a wildlife conservator, to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

The partnership signed by Mutula Kilonzo Jr and @Tsavo Trust Chief Executive Officer Richard Moller on Friday entails joint implementation of projects that keep animals away from human settlements.

Some of the targeted projects include installation of electric fence in sections bordering wildlife corridors, provision of water for both wildlife and residents, establishment of health facilities and community education and participation in environmental conservation.

Governor Mutula said the efforts are geared towards permanently addressing the perennial cases of wild animals especially elephants straying into people’s homes and farmlands causing crop destruction and at times death and body injuries.

Mutula expressed optimism that the conflict if well managed, can metamorphose into a key economic pillar through tourism development.

Also in attendance was Makueni County Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mtito-Andei MCA Francis Mulwa.

MAKUENI YAADHIMISHA SIKU YA KISWAHILI DUNIANI

Serikali ya Kaunti ya Makueni kupitia Idara ya Biashara, Masoko, Viwanda, Utamaduni na Utalii ikiongozwa na Waziri Sonia Nzilani leo imeadhimisha siku ya lugha ya Kiswahili duniani katika shule ya upili ya mabanati ya Makueni.

Siku ya Lugha ya Kiswahili Duniani ilianza Julai 7, elfu mbili na ishirini na mbili. Maadhimisho haya yalianzishwa na shirika la UNESCO ili kutambua umuhimu wa Kiswahili, lugha inayozungumzwa na watu wengi zaidi barani Afrika. Siku hii inaadhimisha jukumu la lugha katika kukuza tofauti za kitamaduni, kukuza umoja, na kuwezesha mawasiliano katika bara la Afrika na kwingineko.

Daktari Sonia aliwahimiza wanafunzi kutilia mkazo lugha ya Kiswahili kwa masomo yao kwa sababu lugha hii ni tajika na imeweza kufanywa lugha rasmi katika Jumuia ya Afrika Mashariki na Kati na pia kuanzishwa katika mitaala katika nchi za Magharibi. Maadhimisho haya yalihusu michezo ya kuigiza, neno nenwa, hadithi za urafa, utangazaji na nyimbo za Utamaduni.

Kwa kuongezea, lengo kuu la idara ya Utamanduni, Muziki na Sanaa Makueni ni kujenga tamaduni zetu na kuhakikisha lugha ya Kiswahili inaleta hisia za stahiki na ubunifu katika shule zetu na kwingineko.

Baadhi ya waliokuwemo ni mwalimu mkuu Bi. Mary Akoth, mkurungezi wa Utalii Bi. Dianah Muli miongoni mwa maafisa na waalimu wengine. Kwengineko, Maadhimisho kama haya Afrika Mashariki yalifanyika katika Ngome ya Yesu (Fort Jesus) leo kufuatia usiku wa Kiswahili uliosherehekewa hapo jana.