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LAST MILE WATER CONNECTIONS TRANSFORM LIVES IN MAKUENI’S RURAL HOUSEHOLDS

Waking up at 3 am to queue for a spot to fetch water from the available distant water points has for long been a way of life for many residents in Makueni. Donkeys carrying heavy loads of water jerricans has been a common feature one can’t miss even in Wote town, the county’s capital.

Water vendors have thrived, often charging exorbitant prices for a 20-litre jerrican of water, especially during the dry season when many of the rivers have run dry.  In some parts of the county, a 20-litre jerrican goes for Shs 50 during the dry season.

To remedy this situation, Makueni’s Department of Water and Sanitation has crafted an ambitious water development plan, extending water connections from sources to households, known as the “last mile” connections.

One such area benefiting from these connections is Nthangu location, where residents have experienced real transformation. Pastor Thomas Wambua, a resident with a connection in his compound explains that his family can now engage in productive farming, unlike before, where he had to spend Shs 1,000 weekly to pump water from Kamunyii stream using a petrol-powered pump. His church has also registered a higher turn up on Sundays.

The County Government constructed a sand dam and underground sump at the confluence of Kaiti and Kamunyii rivers and installed a mega solar power system to distribute water to more than 10,000 residents and four schools in Kiatine and Nthangu villages. 100 households have obtained last-mile connections by paying a small fee, Pastor Wambua among them.

In Mavindini Ward, Burnice Mutiso is optimistic that completion of Ngosini Concrete Dam will transform her life. “When this dam fills up, I intent to venture into horticultural farming full time. This area is highly productive, but water has been the biggest challenge,” she says. Burnice hawks food to workers at the dam construction site. The dam borders her family land.

The department has prioritized last-mile connections as a solution to the long distances people walk to the nearest water point.

This will be achieved through investment in a main centralized water infrastructure project in each ward (One Ward, One Main Water project); and the use of digital metering and payment in the 30 water projects.  

Further, the water supply expansion initiative will involve desilting, expanding and rehabilitation of earth dams; construction of sand dams with sumps; drilling and equipping of boreholes, construction and/ or extension of 160 Kms of pipeline with water kiosks.

In the Financial Year 2024/25, the Department of Water and Sanitation plans to connect at least 1,000 households per ward to clean and safe water by implementing the last mile water infrastructure programme.

This initiative is expected to increase the proportion of rural households accessing piped water from 30% to 50% and urban households from 7,939 in 2022 to 10,920 in 2025.

Currently the department is undertaking massive investments along River Athi to draw, treat and supply water from the river. These include Athi Kalawa water project, Athi Tunguni Water Project, Athi Mavindini Water project.

FARMERS RECEIVE SEEDS FOR PASTURE ESTABLISHMENT

Over 125 farmers residing in Mavindini Ward have received pasture seed (Ndata Kivumbu- African Foxtail) by the Makueni County Government.

The primary objective of the initiative is to expand pasture acreage land and livestock feed resources, leading to enhanced productivity levels, as well as improving food and nutrition security.
Furthermore, it aims at augmenting household incomes and livelihoods by enabling farmers to vend their pastures.
The decision to select this particular seed variety was based on its climate appropriateness and public participation requests by the locals.
The distribution exercise was presided over by Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza who was accompanied by his director David Musyoki.

MAKUENI FARMERS URGED TO JOIN SACCOS

Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza encouraged Makueni farmers to consider joining saccos. By doing so, they can access affordable credit options that will help them increase their agricultural productivity and profitability.
Kiminza emphasized that saccos offer opportunities for farmers to save money and borrow loans with the sole aim of starting or expanding their agri-businesses.
Speaking on Thursday at Kalawa during the launch of Kalawa Farmers Sacco offices, Kiminza stated that government agencies and partners support farmers who are members of saccos or cooperatives.
The chairperson for Kalawa Farmers Sacco, Peter Mwanthi reported a membership of 335 with a cash base amounting to Sh. 345,000.
However, he expressed his commitment towards mobilizing more members to join the sacco in order to attain a minimum membership qualification required by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) which is set at 600.
Mwanthi further promised to ensure full compliance with the Cooperatives Act, rules and regulations while running Sacco operations.

MAKUENI CELEBRATES SUCCESS AS 175 GRADUATE FROM ADDICTION

At least 175 addicts of drugs and substances abuse from Makueni have had a road to Damascus moment after undergoing rehabilitation and counselling by the department of health services.

The 175 graduated on Wednesday from different forms of addiction after an 8-week rehabilitation therapy by psychiatrists from the counselling unit based in the health department.

Some of those who were deeply immersed in different forms of addiction shared agonizing experiences of how their lives had turned upside down, from absconding work, school, neglecting families to sliding into depression.

The county government is working with other partners to re-integrate these champions back to the society and offer after care to prevent relapses to addiction.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili who graced the graduation ceremony at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote said the county government will budget for a rehabilitation centre to reach more people stuck in addiction.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DISTRIBUTES TITLE DEEDS FOR PUBLIC UTILITIES

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has made a strategic move to insulate public utilities against encroachment and grabbing by distributing 600 title deeds to them.

During the exercise held at his office compound, Tuesday, Mutula said encroachment of public utilities in Makueni has been a big hinderance to development by way of protracted disputes and court cases orchestrated by greedy and unscrupulous cartels. This vice is more rampant in most of Makueni’s urban centres.

To put a permanent stop to this vice, the Department of Lands and Urban Planning has mapped all public utilities for survey and titling across the county.

Among the institutions which received titled deeds are health centres, ECDE centres, County Technical Training Institutes, Dams, Churches and the Agricultural Training Centre- Kwa Kathoka.

Governor Mutula also directed the Lands docket to prioritize resolving pending succession issues faced by members of the public. This, he said, will put an end to the many cases of family land tussles which have occasionally led to unnecessary bloodbath.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Leader of Majority Kyalo Mumo as well as County Land Registrar Rose Soo.

KIBWEZI WEST GIRLS UNIFIED FOOTBALL TEAM IS THE CHAMPION OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED FOOTBALL COMPETITION IN AFRICA HELD IN MAKUENI

Finals of the competition successfully came to close on Sunday and graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and County Commissioner Henry Wafula.

Six teams composed of under 18 girls and six of those above 18 participated in the 2-day finals held in Wote.

Each of the six subcounties was represented by a senior and a junior team being the champions from Ward and Sub- county competitions.

Governor Mutula termed this tourney an important tool for inculcating societal inclusivity by according those living with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to grow their talents.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ASKS NGAO OFFICERS TO REIN IN ON VANDALS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has asked National Government Administration Officers in Makueni to check the run-away vandalism which has wrecked havoc in the county’s development agenda.

Kenya Railways and water infrastructure installations have borne the brunt of this wanton destruction with much of their metallic components uprooted for sale to scrap metal dealers.

Mutula spoke when he joined Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki at Kambu for the inauguration of the newly created Kambu Sub-county and installtion of the Deputy County Commissioner Teresiah Mburu on Monday.

AFRICA’S FIRST UNIFIED FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Under 12 Unified football teams battle it out in the first ever Special Olympics Unified football tournament for girls in Africa. The tournament staged in Wote, Makueni, aims at giving opportunities to intellectually challenged individuals to grow their nascent talents.

The tournament is co-sponsored by the County Government of Makueni and International sports aparel manufacturer NIKE through Special Olympics Kenya

Kibwezi West Girls Unified Football team is the champion of the first edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football competition in Africa held in Makueni.

Finals of the competition successfully came to close on Sunday and graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and County Commissioner Henry Wafula.

Six teams composed of under 18 girls and six of those above 18 participated in the 2-day finals held in Wote.

Each of the six subcounties was represented by a senior and a junior team being the champions from Ward and Sub- county competitions.

Governor Mutula termed this tourney an important tool for inculcating societal inclusivity by according those living with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to grow their talents.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI OFFICIALLY OPENS THE INAUGURAL UNIFIED SPORTS TOURNAMENT

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has officially inaugurated the First Edition of the Unified Sports Tournament at KMTC grounds in Wote, Makueni.

The tourney spans two days and is hosting 132 athletes, consisting of 72 individuals with intellectual disabilities, 60 unified partners and 24 coaches.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Government of Makueni County and Nike through Special Olympics to promote female participation in sports among those with intellectual disabilities.

Teams will compete for various awards including cash prizes and trophies.

Notable officials present at the event include Glen Cundari from Coach +, Jeff Lahart from Special Olympics International, as well as Susan Masila from Special Olympics Kenya.