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.
In a remarkable display of commitment, the Government of Makueni County in partnership with Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) completed a five day launch of electrification projects that will see transformation of lives across the county.
Through a matching grant initiative, the program entails installation of power lines, transformers, and meters that is aimed at ensuring reliable supply of electricity to homes, institutions, and business premises.
Leading from the front during the project launch program, the County Executive Committee Member for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy Eng. Sebastian Kyoni emphasized on the importance of the initiative, stating, “Access to electricity is not just about powering homes; it’s about empowering communities. It enhances education, healthcare, entrepreneurial activities and overall quality of life.”
Community leaders and residents expressed their gratitude, recognizing the County Government’s efforts as a game-changer. One resident exclaimed, “This is a new dawn for us, we can work hard to realize our dreams.”
As the one week electrification launch came to an end, the assurance of energy supply left a true picture of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr’s campaign manifesto on energy, reminding everyone of the transformative power of access to electricity.
The one-week programme was also graced by REREC’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Eng. Jonathan Mbuttu, Principal Business Development Officer Diana Khalwale, Regional Manager Representative Eng. Mercy Rotich, Makueni County Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi, area MCAs Hon. Muthiani Mwangangi (Nguumo), Hon. Harrison Mwanzia (Nzambani/Ivingoni), Hon. Francis Mulwa (Mtito Andei), Hon. Dennis Musyoka (Kako/Waia), Hon. Urbanus Manzu (Kee) and Hon. Joseph Muema (Mukaa), respective area National and County Government Administration officers and a representation of MCAs from NZAKIKA, Emali/Mulala, Kasikeu, Ukia and Kithungo/Kitundu wards among other officers.
The 12 different projects are expected to be complete within less than three months and projected to benefit at least 780 households/business premises and institutions cumulatively.
The Department of Water and Sanitation on September 22, 2023 commissioned 37 complete water projects to bring quality potable water closer to the people.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr dispatched his entire cabinet to commission the projects in all the six sub-counties, in a move aimed at reducing the distance residents walk to available water sources to less than two kms from their homes.
The commissioned projects are among 54 completed within the first year of Governor Mutula’s administration in 2022-2023 Financial Year.
Kitise Rural Development (KRD) receives a vehicle to assist in their daily operations in value chain development in areas of agriculture, a path to achieving self-reliance as a community.
The event was graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr where the van courtesy of Christian Aid got delivered.
Permanent Secretary State Department for Crop Development Kello Harsama has lauded Makueni for its exemplary Farmer profiling exercise.
PS Kello noted that Makueni was among the counties which had made commendable strides in the exercise which is ongoing across the country, aimed at collecting and documenting data on farmers.
He praised Makueni on Tuesday when he visited a number of farmers in Utangwa, in a bid to assess the progress of the exercise, noting that similar initiative had aborted in some counties due to malpractice in the recruitment of the agri-prenures.
He stated, ” We said we visit the counties that are progressing well in the farmer profiling. Makueni has done very well while in other counties the exercise was stopped due to malpractice in recruiting the enumerators.”
The exercise will close on 8th, October 2023 and officials called on farmers to avail as accurate information as possible.
The PS was hosted by Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and other senior county officials.
Mulili thanked the National Government for the support they had rendered to the county government, highlighting successful recruitment of the agri-prenures and dispatching of Sh 4.7 Million worth of cherry fund to Makueni coffee farmers.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday held a one on one session with China – Africa Partnership for Sustainable Investment for Renewable Energy in Africa, Sun Africa, World Resources Institute, and Tool Kit to discuss investment prospectus for Makueni County.
The Investment Prospectus (IP) highlights the Renewable Energy investment opportunities with the aim of attracting finance and investment, by showcasing real opportunities that exists in Makueni County. Identification of the opportunities listed on this IP was based on the following criteria:
• Data collection and analysis through the Energy Access Explorer (EAE);
an online, open-source, interactive platform that uses mapping to visualize and identify priority areas where energy markets can be expanded.
• Literature reviews based on government priorities to scale renewable energy interventions.
• Interviews/consultations with both private sector players and government officers at
national and county levels.
• Site visits to gain on-ground experience of the potential the investment opportunities hold.
The partnership will incorporate solar installations for dairy processing plants, Powering Cold Chains, Powering Value Addition, Expansion and Powering Water Supply, Powering Healthcare, Powering Irrigation, Renewable Energy Power Generation, Training of CTTI Instructors and Trainees to enhance their Technical Skills to International Standards and Empowering the Youth to unlock their Economic Potential.
World Resources Institute (WRI) remains committed to work closely with the Government of Makueni County in building a comprehensive list of bankable projects across the county, which remains a critical part of unlocking finance and investment in the Renewable Energy space.
H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, H.E. Lucy Mulili, County Secretary, County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers and other members of county staff.
The construction of an ultra-modern market which is bound to boost trade in the heart of the fast growing Emali township along Mombasa-Nairobi highway will be complete in 3 weeks time, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has been assured.
During an inspection tour of the market which is connected the main bus terminal, the governor accompanied by the Deputy Lucy Mulili said they will ensure drain improvement and gravelling to improve drainage and protect the market from storm water which mostly affects the town during rain seasons.
The modern market comprises of: 30 wholesale stalls, 96 retail stalls, 2 open air market blocks with a Capacity to accommodate 500 vendors, an administration block with provision of ICT Centre fitted with surveillance system WIFI to support access to E-government services and E-commerce.
The market also has Modern ablution block which is PWD compliant with both toilets and bathrooms, and a creche to provide baby care service to lactating mothers.
To ensure availability of water, Water harvesting system with 240,000Litres has been installed.
The people of Wote town have expressed their excitement while finding the governor among them in a rare occasion when governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr toured the town to listen to issues of traders.
The Governor toured Unoa where floodlight will be erected, Marikiti Market where he promised to ensure better Sanitation for traders in the market that majorly deals with clothes before opening to public a toilet at Kwa Nguku area.
Kwa Nguku which feeds the town with chicken will also be made a better business hub with floodlight bound to be constructed there.
Concrete paving blocks have continued to be constructed along road carriage way surfaces, car parks in the town.
Kisaulu borehole in Lumu sub-location, Muani, Kasikeu ward, Kilome Sub-county which the County has developed a centralised reticulation system will be serving over 1,500 people, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has announced.
This phase 4 of the project will have enough water supplied to Kandolo area, and Lumu dispensary.
The locals will have water sold to them at sh. 3/20L Jerican which the residents proposed during the commissioning.
Superior Homes Kenya has today broken ground for the construction of a KSHS 350 million modern roadside stopover complex at Sultan Hamud town along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway that will provide all-in-one safe and secure resting points for long-distance truck drivers; thanks to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr efforts of wooing investors into the County.
Dubbed Supastop, the truck drivers stop will feature modern amenities for long-distance transit drivers, including safe and secure parking, fuel station, decent and affordable accommodation, a variety of affordable eateries, convenience stores, clean restrooms, clean showers, prayer rooms, and a health facility, all in one development. Supastop will also offer other services including truck and other vehicle maintenance and repair, driver training, and logistics services.
Superior Homes intends to tap into the market gap of inadequate and informal truck stop facilities in Kenya by providing self-contained service & rest point areas to truck drivers along the various transit routes within the country, with the development at Sultan Hamud being the pilot for a further 30 proposed locations along the Northern Corridor.
Sultan Hamud is identified as a major parking spot for long-distance trucks with an estimated 300 trucks parking along the roadside every night. It is the center of a 145 km stretch between Mtito Andei and Salama but has been lacking decent accommodation facilities for long-distance transit drivers.
Speaking at the launch ceremony Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commended Superior Homes Kenya for the timely and innovative initiative that will also help address the issue of driver fatigue – one of the biggest causes of road accidents.
“One of the biggest causes of road accidents is driver fatigue. When you offer long-distance transit drivers a secure parking spot, decent and affordable accommodation that will be a way of ensuring road safety,” the governor said
He continued, “Initiatives like this will always get our support and we encourage other players to join in implementing such long-term initiatives that are key in boosting the growth of Makueni County and the logistics industry at large,”.
