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Development

KYANGATI-WAUTU WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION

Residents of Ilima Ward will soon enjoy improved water access as the Kyangati-Wautu Water Project nears completion under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program.

The project, now 90% complete, was revealed on Tuesday during Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. development tour of Ilima Ward.

The project features a sand dam, 17.76 KW solar-powered pumping system, a 100 m³ storage tank, a 2.4 km pipeline network and two community water points.

During the Ward development tour, the governor urged residents to report incidents of water infrastructure vandalism to the appropriate authorities to prevent the misuse of public funds.

This project will serve approximately 1,500 households, schools, markets and churches in the area.

The project is part of a countywide effort to enhance water supply through 12 similar initiatives.

Governor Mutula, accompanied by area MCA Jonathan Muthoka, also visited and inspected the Kiusyi Water Project, which is now 95% complete.

UN EYES EXPANSION OF MAKUENI’S SAND DAMS SUCCESS ACROSS KENYA

Makueni’s sand conservation efforts have caught the eye of the United Nations Mission in Kenya, which now seeks to replicate the sand dam conservation technology to the rest of the country.

On Friday, a delegation of 12 UN agencies and the State Department of Devolution trooped to Makueni for an experiential learning mission on the impact of sand dams towards addressing water shortages, food security, climate change and ecological restoration.

The experience, according to UN-Mission Kenya Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson will be key in upscaling sand dams’ construction in Makueni and other parts of the country through a joint working framework with the Ministry of Devolution and counties.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who hosted the delegation said Makueni is heavily investing in sand dams as a solution to perennial challenges of hunger, water shortages and negatives effects of climate change. The county has a total of over a 1,000 sand dams, with potential for 1,000 more across its major seasonal rivers.

Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika who coordinates all development partners in the country led the UN delegation to Makueni.

GOVERNOR MUTULA HOSTS CHRISTIAN AID TEAM.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday hosted Christian Aid representatives from London, Mr. Nick Georgiadis and Elizabeth Walker, at his office in Wote, marking a significant step towards deepening development partnerships in Makueni County.

Christian Aid, a UK-based charity, has been at the forefront of impactful projects in Makueni, working closely with local partners such as Kitise Rural Development (KRD), Cereal Growers Association (CGA), and Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADS-E).

During the meeting which focused on water access and food security, Mutula emphasized on the importance of ensuring safe and clean water is available for both agriculture and households.

“Equitable access to water is essential for the well-being of our residents and the growth of our economy,” he stated.

The meeting, also attended by Christian Aid Kenya Board Member Ms. Pauline Nguyai, further explored on key initiatives including bulk water and irrigation projects, solar-powered water systems and last-mile water connectivity to boost food security and improve livelihoods across the county.

This collaboration highlights a strong commitment towards sustainable development and a brighter future for Makueni.

The governor was flanked by County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi, alongside County Executive Committee Members for Water and Agriculture, Eng. John Kieti and Ms. Joyce Mutua respectively.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUDS MAKUENI’S YOUNG INDUSTRIALISTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has commended Makueni’s budding Industrialists, saying they present the county an opportunity for accelerated economic growth.

He spoke on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new animal feeds processing factory at Kwa Kathoka owned by BEFA FEEDS, a local feeds processing company.

The company is owned by young people, who have taken feeds processing to another level, taking on the industrial giants.

BEFA FEEDS Chief Executive Officer Faith Mumo said the company was borne in 2022 as a solution to the high cost of feeds, some of which were of low quality, orchestrating huge losses to farmers.

The company produces all livestock feeds with raw materials sourced from locals.

The company is credited for promoting fish farming in Makueni through quality fish feed. Governor Mutula has pledged support for young people to progress manufacturing in a bid to create jobs.

The event was attended by among others Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Devolution CEC Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officers Felisters Mutune and Japheth Kiminza

MAKUENI COUNTY HOUSING COMMITTEE APPOINTED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. appoints Cosmas J. Maweu as Chair, County Housing Committee, alongside members Jacinta Mwikali Mbilo, Peterson Mwiu Kimweli and Purity Mwikali Mutisya, following County Assembly approval.

The committee will oversee housing policies and projects and ensure affordable and sustainable housing development in the County.

MAKUENI EXPLORES GREEN FINANCE TO FUND MEGA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Makueni County is exploring the financial markets to fund capital-intensive projects with huge development ripple effect.

With the help of Financial Sector Deepening- Kenya (FSD), an independent network that works to improve financial systems, the county is working with Price Waterhouse Cooper to develop bankable proposals for funding under the green finances program.

In a meeting with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, on Friday, to explore possible areas of funding, FSD top ranking officials led by Senior Green Finance Specialist Sarah Makena agreed to link the county with partners for funding of the development proposals.

Some of the targeted areas of development funding include: fruits processing and value addition; development of industrial parks; provision of green infrastructure and incentives to attract investors; Water harvesting and green energy development.

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.

MAKUENI COUNTY HAS PARTNERED WITH KCEP-CRAL( KENYA CEREAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME- CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL LIVELIHOOD)

Makueni County has partnered with KCEP-CRAL( Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme- Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihood) to rehabilitate Chief Kiamba earthdam in Kasikeu ward in an endeavor to bring water closer to the people.

County Executive Committee Member for Water and Sanitation John Kieti on Thursday presented the contractor to the Project Management Committee and also handed structuctural designs and Bill of Quantities to the PMC for oversight.

Kieti said the county government has embarked on a massive water development agenda targeting to increase Makueni’s water supply from the current 30,000 cubic meters to meet the current demand of 60,000 cubic meters per day.

The Dam is expected to benefit over 600 households.

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.

NDUKUMA ECDE CENTRE, REQUESTED BY WANANCHI DURING COMMISSIONING OF NDUKUMA DAM

In recognition of the role inclusive and quality education plays in achieving SDG 4 and the social pillar in vision 2030, Makueni through the leadership of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr is developing and equiping model ecde centres.

This is Ndukuma ECDE Centre, requested by wananchi during commissioning of Ndukuma dam. The mud structure is what learners had for a class before!