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Trade

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES VERIFICATION EXERCISE

Did you know the Government Makueni County has been championing a vital initiative to ensure fair trading practices and safeguard consumer rights?

Pursuant to Weights and Measures Act (Cap 513), the County Weights and Measures Unit has been diligently implementing a regular comprehensive verification program aimed at confirming the accuracy of weighing equipment used across various sectors.

This program focuses on crucial areas such as petrol station pumps, butchery scales and shop weighing systems.

By verifying the correctness of these equipment, the exercise seeks to promote transparency and ensure that customers receive the exact quantity of goods they pay for, reflecting the true value of their transactions.

Further, the exercise is a strategic approach to avoid potential losses caused by improperly calibrated equipment.

During the exercise, fault weighing equipment are calibrated correctly to meet regulatory standards.

Hence, the County Weights and Measures Unit encourages entrepreneurs to actively embrace the regular verification practice of equipment for fair-trade practices.

‘Waùni wa kwika nesa na ùlùngalu’

MAKUENI PARTICIPATES AT KAM SUMMIT, SHOWCASING LOCAL INNOVATION AND GROWTH

Makueni has seized an opportunity to participate in the 7th Annual Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Summit, which kicked off on Tuesday at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

The four-day event dubbed the Changamka Shopping Festival is organized by KAM in partnership with the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.

Under the theme “Celebrating the Ingenuity of Kenya’s Manufacturing Sector,” the summit provides an opportunity for Small and Medium Enterprises to showcase their products, innovations and technologies, and network with industry players to gain exposure in the wider market.

In an effort to promote Makueni, the county government booth is displaying a variety of items, including value chain addition-farm produce (Kalamba Mango Juice), clothing, accessories, home décor and beauty products that showcase Makueni’s creativity and growing manufacturing industry.

Speaking on Tuesday at the county booth, the Trade, Industry, Marketing, Culture and Tourism CECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani lauded the festival’s significance. “This festival is a crucial initiative aimed at raising public awareness, supporting local industries, and creating job opportunities. It aligns with the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya strategy, which encourages the consumption of locally-made products and supports sustainable economic growth,” Dr. Nzilani remarked.

With over 100 SMEs participating, Makueni County’s involvement underscores its commitment to nurturing invention, local talent and entrepreneurship, and driving the county’s economic development through the promotion of homegrown products.

CS MVURYA IGNITES COTTON REVIVAL WITH FLAG-OFF of 107 TONNES SEED.

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry Salim Mvurya and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr have flagged off distribution of 107 metric tonnes of premium cotton seeds to Makueni farmers.

Mvurya termed Makueni County as part of the national government’s key priority areas for revitalizing the cotton sector for sustainable fabric production.

Governor Kilonzo on the other hand encouraged farmers to embrace cotton cultivation, highlighting the county’s ideal climate and the lucrative market opportunities presented by the ginnery’s proximity.

The event was attended by State Department of Trade Principal Secretary Abubakar Yussuf, Special Economic Zones Authority Chairperson Fred Muteti, and Kenya Development Corporation Ag. Director General Nora Ratemo.

THE GRAND OPENING OF A MODERN TRUCK STOP IN SULTAN HAMUD.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has urged the Kenyan government to step in and facilitate the safe return of Florence Wanza Munyao, a Kenyan truck driver allegedly abducted amid military conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking at the grand opening of a modern truck stop in Sultan Hamud, Mulili highlighted the significance of women participating in long-distance driving, emphasizing that the profession is about skill, not gender. She added that women excelling in this field demonstrate equity, inclusion, and participation.

Supastop, constructed by real estate developer Superior Homes, offers essential services to long-distance drivers, including accommodation, restaurants, a fuel station, washrooms, and secure parking.

Mulili remarked that the modern facility is more than just a business venture, calling it a milestone in the county’s economic development.

Shiv Arora, CEO of Superior Homes, stated that the new facility also represents a major advancement in infrastructure and logistics.

Sultan Hamud is a critical hub for truck drivers, with an estimated 300 trucks parking along the road each night.

The event was attended by Dr. Sonia Nzilani, County Executive Member for Trade, and Superior Homes Managing Director Ian Henderson, among other dignitaries.

INSPECTION OF WAREHOUSES TO IMPROVE STORAGE AND MARKET ACCESS IN MAKUENI.

{WOTE}Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The Ministry of Trade and Investment, through the Warehouse Receipt System Council-Kenya (WRS), is set to embark on a pre-inspection exercise of warehouses across Makueni County.

The initiative is designed to support local grain farmers by ensuring that storage facilities meet the necessary standards for accreditation.

The plan was discussed during a meeting held on Tuesday between WRS officials and Makueni County Executive Committee Members Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism) and Joyce Mutua (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development).

The pre-inspection exercise will assess whether the warehouses are equipped to store grain under optimal conditions, a critical factor in securing WRS accreditation.

Dr. Sonia Nzilani said that establishing proper grain storage facilities is key to mitigating food security risks and stabilizing grain prices within the county.

The move is expected to significantly benefit local farmers by improving storage options and market access.

WRS officials are scheduled to inspect warehouses in several key locations, including Wote, Mukuyuni, Thange, Kibwezi, and Kilome.

In addition to the inspections, warehouse operators will receive training to enhance their understanding of storage requirements.

Warehouses that pass the inspection will receive accreditation certificates from the WRS Council. These accredited warehouses will then be authorized to issue legal documents to farmers, enabling them to use stored grain as collateral when seeking loans from financial institutions.

KeNHA AND MAKUENI COUNTY RAMPS UP ROAD SAFETY EFFORTS

In a bid to enhance road safety and curb illegal roadside activities, the State Department of Roads, through KeNHA held a consultative meeting with the County Government of Makueni at Kusyombunguo Hotel. The meeting prompted by the National Security Committee following the tragic Londiani accident on June 30, 2023 which claimed 52 lives focused on moderlities of addressing market encroachments onto road reserves and ensuring adherence to road safety regulations in Makueni County.

Led by KeNHA Lower Eastern Regional Director Eng. J. Kariuki and also attended by the County Commissioner, the meeting resolved to the formation of a multi-sectoral committee that will include representatives from the National and County Governments, KeNHA, KURA, business stakeholders, traders, and the public. The multi-Sectoral committee will strategize on public awareness and implementation of the national road safety directive that provides a remedy to increased road accidents along major roads. The solution involves clearing encroached road reserves, designating land for markets and addressing illegal roadside parking, dumping and trading activities.

The County Government was prominently represented by CECMs Eng. Sebastian Kyoni (Infrastructure), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), Eng. John Kieti (Water and Sanitation), and Mr. Nicholas Nzioka (Lands).

This collaborative exercise highlights KeNHA’s commitment to creating safe, orderly and business-friendly environment.

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.

KiswahiliKidumu

THE ‘SOKO MAKUENI’ E-COMMERCE PORTAL, AN INNOVATIVE PLATFORM THAT CONNECTS MAKUENI BUSINESSES TO GLOBAL MARKETS LEVERAGING ON TECHNOLOGY, BAGS TWO NATIONAL AWARDS!

Soko Makueni is a Government of Makueni county developed and run online marketing E-portal that accords produce, products and services from the county, a presence in the global market. Soko Makueni participated in the 6th Edition of the Kenya e-commerce awards that was organized by Vibrant Digital Africa under the theme Reimagining E-commerce in Kenya: powering growth with AI, last mile innovation, and secure transactions.

In this competition, Soko Makueni won the following awards; –

1. Gold award – Best Government E-commerce platform category

2. Silver award – Best B2B marketplace category

This competition seeks to recognize innovative efforts by different players in the e-commerce place and in adopting technology for businesses to access markets beyond borders.

The CECM, Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Dr. Sonnia Nzilani led the departmental delegation from the Government of Makueni County to receive the awards at a Gala Awards dinner during the Kenya E-commerce Awards 6th. Edition.

Wauni wa kwika nesa na ulungalu.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH STRATHMORE UNIVERSITY TO CAPACITY BUILD MSMES

The Government of Makueni County envisions to transform the livelihoods of her citizens by increasing their household incomes. The Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism through the Directorate of Trade, Marketing and Industry, has partnered with Kenya Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to support in the growth and scalability  of businesses in Kibwezi West and East Sub counties. 

Key reasons why Government of Makueni County through Directorate of Trade, Marketing and Industry is supporting MSMEs :

  • Micro Small and Medium Enterprises are key enablers of economic growth and development in Makueni county.
  • MSMEs represent a core pillar of the economy and play a significant role in innovation, wealth, and employment creation. 
  • So there is need to create an entrepreneurship culture where traders are constantly reminded of good business practices in order to increase their sales and profitability.  
  • The directorate has been supporting MSMEs to access to better markets through programmes such as exhibitions, development of ICT portal, Soko Makueni, formation of member associations, value addition, and development of infrastructure among others. 

The MSMEs were trained on financial planning, marketing needs, financing needs, book keeping and on use of technology in addition to:

  • Empowering the MSMEs toward self-reliance 
  • Provide market outlets, product development, training and market information to the producers.
  • Enable participants to understand simple book keeping methods in relation to their business size. 
  • Ensure the participants understand the advantages of keeping track of business transactions.
  • To instill skill and confidence in managing business finances. 
  • Sensitizing on the use of technology in business operations
  • Spotting a business opportunity
  • Market penetration.
  • It was agreed that a better enabling environment be provided for revitalizing the MSMEs to improve economic growth through addressing inefficiencies in the County licensing regime, formalizing unlicensed MSMEs, and strengthening institutional management capacities
  • It was agreed that advisory, training and consultancy activities to promote business, leadership, and governance capacities sessions be conducted in all sub-counties.

NZAUI NATURE TRAIL SHOWCASES MAKUENI’S SCENIC BEAUTY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

Makueni County’s scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage were on full display today during the inaugural 13-kilometer nature trail hike at Nzaui Hill. 

The event organized by the tourism directorate and led by Dr. Sonia Nzilani, the CECM for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism attracted a diverse group of participants including tour operators, local farmers, hoteliers, and professional hikers.

Participants enjoyed breathtaking views from 1,833 meters above sea level Nzaui Peak and visited the legendary Mulata Ìvia rock, which features human footprints believed to mark the first landing place of the Kamba people. 

The six-hour hike included thrilling fun games, health talks, entertainment, and comedy, culminating in a tree-planting ceremony in the forest.

In her opening remarks, Dr. Nzilani emphasized the importance of preserving Makueni’s natural attractions and announced plans to organize similar activities in other regions. 

The event was also attended by Eng. Peter Mumo, CECM for Gender, Youth, and Sports, Dr. Faith Mwende of the _No Summit too high_ along with other stakeholders such as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and media representatives.