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Urban Planning

FARMERS HARNESS ROAD RUN-OFF FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Farmers along the 3-kilometer Kavingo-Kyamang’atu-Ilela road in Kako Waia Ward have embraced road run-off harvesting, a transformative initiative led by MetaMeta Research in collaboration with the County Government of Makueni. This innovative approach turns road run-off—traditionally regarded as a problem—into a valuable resource for nature-based farming.

The pilot program, launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in August 2024, has seen over 4,500 meters of mitre drains excavated along the road, 2,000 tree-planting holes prepared, and two gullies successfully rehabilitated.

Beneficiaries of the initiative highlight its multiple benefits, including providing irrigation for crops, preventing soil erosion, recharging groundwater, stabilizing soils and reducing road maintenance costs.

On Friday, 15th November 2024, Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi led a team from her department and community beneficiaries in planting over 2,500 trees along the road. This effort included 500 fruit trees and indigenous pastures planted on private farms to enrich soil health and improve food access.

Eng. Nthambi reiterated that the county government has integrated the “roads for water” concept into all road-grading projects to ensure sustainable road maintenance and curb soil erosion.She was accompanied by Roads Director Eng. Martin Kitavi and Area MCA Dennis Musyoka during the event.

The team also launched a locally constructed drift, a project collaboratively undertaken by the community and the county government. The community-driven labor initiative demonstrates the sense of ownership and sustainability that defines the program’s success.

MAKUENI LAUNCHES WATER PROJECTS IN WOTE AND MAVINDINI TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment and Climate Change, Japheth Mang’oka, has unveiled contractors for two water enhancement projects in Wote and Mavindini.

The project in Wote involves the distribution of 100 cubic meters of water per hour from Kaiti 2 sand dam to Camarel in Wote town and Kaseve. This initiative aims to ensure the sustainable provision of water to over 3,000 residents in Wote and its environs.

In Mavindini, the contractor will construct a 100 cubic meters sump and install a 22-kilowatt solar pumping system at the Athi River intake. This project aims to provide clean water for domestic use to 2,500 households and water for irrigation to 400 households in the Katithi, Mavindini, and Ivinganzia sub-locations within Mavindini Sub-Ward.

The projects, co-funded by the county government and the World Bank under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, are designed to enhance community resilience to drought and water scarcity. They also aim to build adaptive capacities to mitigate the impacts of climate change, natural hazards, and other environmental stressors.

AD-HOC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS ESTABLISHMENT OF MBOONI- KEE MUNICIPALITY.

An ad-hoc committee established to assess the viability of the proposed Mbooni-Kee Municipality has recommended establishment and operationalization of the new Municipality.

In a report presented to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday, the committee confirmed that the Municipality meets all the criteria set out under Section 9(3a-i) of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011.

The report will be adopted by Cabinet then submitted to Makueni County Assembly for approval.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR ON WEDNESDAY INSPECTED ONGOING CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF THE NEW SULTAN HAMUD FRESH PRODUCE MARKET.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday inspected ongoing construction works of the new Sultan Hamud fresh produce market.

Traders are expected to move to the new structure by next month when it will be completed.

Governor Mutula said the modern market will serve traders operating by the roadside and directed county officers to ensure that water is connected to the market by the time of completion.

He also disclosed that Safaricom is building a modern maternity wing at the Sultan Hamud Hospital worth Ksh. 40m.

The governor was accompanied by County Executive Committee Members Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Roads; Japheth Mangoka, Devolution; Dr Sonia Nzilani, Trade; and Tulimani MCA, Kyalo Mumo among others.

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GOVERNOR MUTULA ISSUES 179 ALLOTMENT LETTERS TO KIKIMA PLOT OWNERS

Governor Mutula Kilozno Jr has issued letters of allotment to 179 plot owners of Kikima town, Mbooni Sub-county, in an endeavor to improve security of land tenure.

This is geared towards solving land ownership wrangles which have plagued the county for years, slowing down development.

The county government has prioritized resolution of all these disputes by collaborating with the National Ministry for Lands in planning and titling 157 parcels in Emali, 349 parcels in Kibwezi, and 410 parcels in Makindu. Allotment letters for 104 parcels in Nunguni town, Kaiti, are also ready for issuance.

According to the Lands Executive Committee Member Nicholas Nzioka, the county government is working closely with the National Land Commission to fast-track adjudication and issuance of title deeds in all pending settlement schemes and sections, namely Ngai, Mang’elete, Muthingiini, Ngaindethya, Kyamuoso, Kiboko A&C, Utithi, and Kathyaka.

The county government is also running land clinics where residents are helped to fill affidavits and prosecute estate succession for faster processing of title deeds.

GOVERNOR MUTULA INAUGURATES AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHMENT OF KEE-MBOONI MUNICIPALITY

Makueni has set plans in motion for creation of a third municipality in an endeavour to further devolve resources and services closer to mwananchi. 

On Wednesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to consider whether the proposed municipality area meets threshold as spelled out in the Urban Areas and Cities Act. 

The proposed Kee-Mbooni Municipality area covers Kivani, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa, Mbumbuni, Kalawa and kitundu crosscutting Kaiti and Mbooni sub-counties. 

Governor Mutula was flanked by Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officer Jackson Daudi.

MAKUENI HANDS OVER SITES FOR ESP MARKETS

Makueni County has handed over three sites for construction of ultra-modern markets under the Multi-million Economic Stimulus Program (ESP), a partnership between the national government and county governments.

The sites handed over on Wednesday to contractors procured by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development are Makindu ( Kibwezi West) and Kikima (Mbooni). Kasikeu site in Kilome was handed over on Tuesday by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.

The Ksh 50M each markets are meant to spur rural economic growth by promoting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.

Each market will accomodate 200 traders. Some of their essential componets are lactating rooms, cold storage rooms, SACCO offices, an ICT hub, ATM booths, a social hall, and a kitchen.

WOTE MUNICIPALITY BOARD MEMBERS SWORN INTO OFFICE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Tuesday Witnessed swearing-in of the Wote Municipality Board members after they were vetted and approved by the County Assembly.

Mutula has tasked the board to move with speed and implement the functions he signed off for transfer to the municipality to enhance service delivery.

Some of the priorities the board will be tasked to address include waste management, water provision, drainage and sewer system for Wote town, Solar lighting of the markets within the municipality, roads maintenance and upgrading of urban centres, especially Wote town to instill investor confidence.

The members sworn into office are:

1. Benjamin Masungwa

2. Everlyn Mulewa Kimuli

3. Romeo Ndeveni

4. Benjamin Wambua Mutua

5. Daniel Kisyang’a

6. Paul Maundu Mutua

A 7th member, Angela Kiamba,  who is out of the country will be sworn at a later date.

Makueni County Establishes Climate Change Stakeholders Coalition for Unified Adaptation Efforts

The Department of Lands, Urban Planning & Development, Environment, and Climate Change in Makueni has officially launched a Climate Change Stakeholders coalition with the aim of orchestrating concerted efforts in climate change adaptation.

This coalition unites various stakeholders, including government entities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), Academia, and environmental advocates. Its primary objective is to facilitate collaboration among these entities and formulate a comprehensive strategy for coordinated climate change adaptation within the county.

The inaugural event took place on Tuesday in Wote, presided over by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili. It was graced by the presence of County Executive Committee Member Sonia Nzilani, Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, and members of the Makueni Climate Change Fund Management Board.