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COURTESY CALL BY AUDITORS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Wote, 19th August 2024.

A team of auditors from the Office of the Commissioner of Cooperative Development commenced their 10-day tour of duty in Makueni today with a courtesy call to the Office of the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Agriculture livestock,Fisheries and Cooperatives development, Joyce Mutua.

The auditors are in Makueni to conduct a forensic audit and inquiry into Kilimo Services Sacco Society Limited. This investigation follows a request by the Members of the Sacco to the County Government to assist them in carrying out audit after allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement by the Sacco’s leadership led to the near-collapse of the giant Sacco, which boasts a membership of 16,000 members.

The inquiry will focus on:

Auditing the Sacco’s by-laws.

Evaluating the working and financial conditions of the Sacco.

Investigating the conduct of current and past management and committee members of Kilimo Sacco Society Limited, in accordance with Section 58, read together with Section 73 of the Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 490, Laws of Kenya.

During the meeting, Joyce Mutua expressed her confidence in the audit team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Cooperatives CPA Peter Wanjohi Kiama, Principal Cooperative Auditor Silars Okoth Dede, and Senior ICT Officer Michael Maigwa. She assured that the truth would be uncovered and that those responsible for the mismanagement of the Sacco’s resources would be held accountable.

This inquiry follows a Baraza held last thursday by Sacco members, where leaders, including ECM Agriculture Joyce Mutua, Makueni County assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu, and MCA for Nzaui Kilili Kalamba Ward Francis Mutuku among other leaders, assured members that justice would be served, and all responsible parties would be held to account for the lost resources.

The morning meeting was attended by Chief Officer of Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Japheth Kimimza, Director of Cooperatives Munene Mwiindi, and Director of Administration Esther Kivindyo.

REVENUE PERFORMANCE

Enhanced Own-Source Revenue (OSR) is vital for improving local services and development. It allows the county to fund key projects like healthcare, education, and infrastructure independently, leading to better, more timely initiatives that meet local needs.

Higher OSR also boosts the county’s financial autonomy, promoting sustainable growth and reducing reliance on national funding.

#FY2023/24FinancialPerformance

SENATE COMMITTEE LAUDS GOVERNOR MUTULA FOR LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY IN COUNTY EMPLOYMENT.

August 16, 2024

The Senate’s National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration Committee has praised Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for his compliance with legal requirements in human resource management and his commitment to promoting equal employment opportunities in the county.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. reported that the county’s workforce consists of 61% female and 39% male employees, with 27% of the workforce under 35 years of age. This distribution demonstrates the county’s dedication to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and empowering the youth.

Hon. Mohammed Chute Said, the committee chair, praised the inclusion of young people into the county’s workforce as a key step toward securing the county’s future and fulfilling government employment legal mandates.

The committee also commended the County Government for its efforts to empower the youth through initiatives such as agri-preneurship, providing equal opportunities in online procurement, and offering vocational training programs.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. presented this information during his meeting with the Senate Committee on Friday. He was accompanied by the County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi, CECM Finance Damaris Kavoi, and County Public Service Board Chairperson Dr. Nicodemus Muteti.

DR. VICTORIA KYALO, CHIEF OFFICER FOR AGRICULTURE, PARTICIPATED IN A TRAINING SESSION FOR FARMER SERVICE CENTRE (FSC).

August 14th, 2024.

Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Chief Officer for Agriculture, participated in a training session for Farmer Service Centre (FSC) providers at Kusyombunguo. Organized by the Makueni County Government and the World Food Program (WFP).

This event aims to enhance collaboration among agricultural stakeholders, including farmers, agro-input dealers, and marketers, focusing on value chains like mangoes, citrus, poultry, horticulture, aquaculture, and apiculture.

Dr. Kyalo emphasized the county’s dedication to supporting these stakeholders, ensuring that they can effectively assist farmers in improving production and market linkages. The session saw the first cohort of 25 FSC providers, with a second cohort of 28 set to join later in the week.

Later, Dr. Kyalo, alongside Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza, opened a report writing retreat for the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) at Shushan Hotel Makindu.

Dr. Kyalo was accompanied by Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti among other officials.

MAKUENI SELF-SERVICE PORTAL TO EASE PAYMENT OF FEES BY BUSINESS PEOPLE.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County is set to launch a self-service portal to simplify the payment of fees and charges for traders and businesspeople, Finance County Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi has announced.

The self-service portal will enable business owners to efficiently manage their transactions from the comfort of their own homes. 

Through this platform, they will be able to register their businesses, view invoices and customer statements, make payments and access permits and licences without the need for in-person visits.

The new system represents a major upgrade from the current process, which involves manual intervention and has been slow and costly.

CEC Kavoi spoke in Wote on Wednesday during a media briefing on the County performance for the Financial Year 2023-2024.

In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Makueni County allocated 30% of its annual procurement budget to youth, women, and people with disabilities, fostering inclusivity, affirmative action and entrepreneurship.

The County Government also allocated over 40% of its annual procurement budget to local contractors, significantly exceeding the 20% threshold mandated by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. This allocation aimed to strengthen local businesses and create job opportunities.

CEC Kavoi was accompanied by Chief Officers Boniface Mutua and John Nguni and directors from the County Treasury.

MAKUENI UNVEILS DIGITAL SYSTEM TO REGISTER SUPPLIERS.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County has introduced a new digital registration system for suppliers in a bid to streamline operations.

The system is designed to enhance transparency and accountability, with every step being trackable and open to scrutiny.Suppliers can now register from the convenience of their homes or offices, saving valuable time and resources.

The County will benefit from a comprehensive database of suppliers across all categories, leading to informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.

The digital system also acts as a robust safeguard against corrupt practices, ensuring that only the most qualified and legitimate suppliers are considered for partnerships with the county.

This digital transformation is poised to increase efficiency, promote fair competition, and drive faster economic growth in Makueni County.

Makueni County Procurement Portal https://www.procurement.makueni.go.ke

MAKUENI COUNTY ENGAGES CITIZENS TO PRIORITIZE 2025-26 PROJECTS

Wote: August 13th 2024

Makueni County Treasury has kicked off public participation forums at the ward level to engage citizens in prioritizing projects and programs for implementation during the 2025-26 financial year. The forums aim to incorporate citizens’ views into the County Annual Development Plan (CADP) 2025-26, which will form the basis for the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-27.

The meetings are scheduled to take place today in 15 wards, with the remaining wards to be engaged on Thursday. The County Committee Member for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, Damaris Kavoi, officially opened the Wote ward forum at Wote Social Hall on Tuesday.

In her address, Kavoi highlighted a significant budget cut of Kshs. 430 million due to reduced allocation from the National Treasury. This reduction impacts planned projects and programs at the ward level. She assured County residents that the County Government is actively seeking solutions to address the deficit and ensure continued service delivery to residents.

The theme of the current Annual Development Plan is “Stimulating Local Economies for Shared Prosperity. “

MULILI STRESSES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AT COUNTY STEERING GROUP MEETING”

On Tuesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili represented Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the County Steering Group meeting.

This legal advisory body oversees county initiatives, programs, and projects.

Mulili emphasized the need for community sensitization before project initiation and praised Welt Hunger Hilfe for their successful implementation of water and education infrastructure in the county. She highlighted the organization’s impactful work.

Alice Munyao, the County Drought Coordinator for the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Makueni, supported Mulili’s view, noting that community involvement in the planning stages fosters ownership of projects.

The County Steering Group, which includes the county governors, the county commissioner (co-chairs), and the NDMA as the secretariat, provides leadership and coordination on collaborative issues.

Members also include representatives from county government departments, development partners, and NDMA.

GOVERNOR MUTULA HOSTS SWEDISH AMBASSADOR FOR BILATERAL TALKS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday welcomed the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, for a series of discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s office, focused on key areas of mutual interest such as the environment, technology and innovation, and agriculture.

Governor Kilonzo expressed the County Government’s willingness to engage in further bilateral discussions, particularly on climate change and technology sectors critical to Makueni’s development.

Ambassador Vicini praised the county’s efforts in youth empowerment during her visit to the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub and the Ajiry Center.

Ambassador Vicini commended Makueni County’s sustainable water management initiatives after visiting the Kwa Kitungu Sand Dam along the Kaiti River in Wote Municipality.

She later addressed residents of Mbooni near Kivale Forest, highlighting the importance of these environmental efforts.

The events were attended by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Commissioner Henry Wafula, CECMs, Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, and area MCA Felix Mateso, Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani), Eng. Joseph Muema (Mukaa) and Alexander Mulemba (Mbooni).

THE DEPARTMENT OF GENDER, CHILDREN, YOUTH, SPORTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES HAS CONCLUDED A HIGH-LEVEL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON ULTRA POOR GRADUATION (UPG) POLICY IN WOTE.

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has concluded a high level stakeholder engagement forum on Ultra Poor Graduation (UPG) Policy in Wote.

The policy which is steered by the department in partnership with Village Enterprise aims to create a framework for resource mobilization to help ultra poor residents build financial capacity and graduate to socio-economic resilience and self sufficiency.

Once graduated, the beneficiaries will be in a position to acquire financial capacity to access banking facilities either from mainstream banks or the Makueni County Empowerement Fund (MCEF).