News
COUNTY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE FACT-FINDING TOUR.
Today, the Makueni County Assembly Committee on Agriculture conducted a fact-finding tour of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant to assess its operational status. This visit followed up on concerns raised by Hon. Maneno, the MCA for the host ward, regarding the viability of the milk processing plant.
Several critical issues were discussed during the tour. Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries, Japheth Kiminza informed the committee that the Government had already settled power bills owed to the plant, ensured supply of clean water, planned to deploy technicians,and is in the process of building and equiping a laboratory in preparation for opening the plant to production.The Dairy Plant, when operating at optimum capacity, can process 10,000 litres of milk per day and produce other dairy products like yoghurt and mala for the local market.
This visit underscores the commitment of the County Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation and sustainability of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant.
Those present included; Chief officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza,The assembly Agriculture committee led by Hon. Jacintah Mwikali (Vice Chair), Hon. Maneno (the Host Mca) , Hon. Serah Mbilo, Hon.Jonathan Kimongo,Hon. Josephine Ndambuki, Hon. Jeniffer Mwanthi, Hon. Mercy Mutuku and the Kathonzweni dairy plant Cooperative committee members among other people.
FROM THE NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALS IN ELDORET.
Makueni’s 4 year old ECDE pupil, Blessing Maluki of Msingi Bora Primary School in Kibwezi East has just won in the solo verse category, class 2101 G becoming the National Champion!
MAKUENI TO ROLL OUT LIVESTOCK INSURANCE PROJECT
The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in Makueni County on Thursday held a successful stakeholder engagement forum on the roll-out of a livestock insurance project dubbed DRIVE (Derisking, Inclusion, and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies) project.
This project aims to sensitize livestock farmers in the county’s dry areas about the importance of livestock insurance, which supports sustaining livestock during droughts by providing feeds and water.
50 community mobilizers, primarily youth farmers, have been selected to register livestock farmers for insurance and educate them on marketing strategies.
County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua said the program, in partnership with the World Bank, reflects the County Government’s commitment to support livestock farmers for sustainable and optimum livestock production.
MAKUENI COUNTY SPONSORS ECDE LEARNERS TO THE KENYA NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL FINALS IN ELDORET.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and his administration have once again shown their commitment to supporting co-curricular activities in support of education in Makueni by fully sponsoring ECDE and Primary school students to perform an the National Music Festival Competitions.
A group of 49 ECDE pupils, who excelled at the regional music festivals, are set to compete in the national competition to be held at Moi Girls Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
On Thursday morning, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili ceremoniously flagged off the pupils before they departed for Eldoret.
She emphasized the county’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting growth in the education sector.
Education CECM Elizabeth Muli highlighted that the county through the Department of ICT, Education and Internship is keen on an all-round approach in education development in Makueni County.
The festivals run from 2nd to 14t August 2024.
49 PUPILS ADVANCE TO NATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ELDORET
A group of 49 pupils, who excelled at the regional music festivals, are set to compete in the national competition at Moi Girls Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
On Thursday morning, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili ceremoniously flagged off the pupils before they departed for Eldoret. Mulili noted that the county had provided substantial support for the competition, funding it from the cluster level to the nationals with a total of Ksh 7 million.She emphasized the county’s commitment to nurturing talent and promoting growth in the education sector.
Education CEC Elizabeth Muli announced that the team would be accompanied by three coordinators from the Directorate of Education and a medical professional to ensure their health and well-being during their stay in Uasin Gishu.
Additionally, Muli highlighted that the county had extended its support to the primary schools participating in the festivals.
GOVERNOR KILONZO MEETS BODA BODA OPERATORS TO ADDRESS RISING INSECURITY IN MAKUENI.
Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has vowed to tackle the exploitation of boda boda operators by motorbike sellers charging exorbitant interest rates.
During a security meeting with hundreds of boda boda operators from Wote town, Governor Kilonzo also accused sellers of using fake trackers on new motorbikes, contributing to increased thefts. He called for stringent penalties for motorbike thieves in the county.
The Governor announced that the county would offer loans to boda boda operators through the Tetheka Fund, which provides low-interest financing.
The meeting was prompted by the operators’ protests following the killing of one of their members, Mwendwa Mung’eu, by suspected thugs in Wote town, along with a surge in motorbike thefts.
Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu urged the police to use confidential drop box methods to gather intelligence from locals .
The event was also attended by Devolution ECM Japheth Mangoka,area MCA Felix Mateso and other county officials.
MULILI LAUDS MAKUENI STUDENTS’ EXCELLENCE AT UNIVERSITY MENTORSHIP WORKSHOP
More than 83 students from Makueni participated in a mentorship workshop for the 2024 university cohort at Greenpark in Wote.
This group is part of the 95 students who joined the Makueni scholarship program in 2020. Since its inception, the program has benefited over 758 bright and needy students from Makueni.
This year alone, at least 102 students received full sponsorships for their high school education.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Education Elizabeth Muli and Chief Officer for ICT, Education, and Internship Irene Makau, commended the students for their outstanding performance.
Among them, 18 students achieved As in last year’s KCSE national examinations.
These top performers were rewarded with cash tokens and other gifts as they prepare to join university in September.
Deputy Governor Mulili reaffirmed the County’s commitment to supporting education through bursaries and scholarships.
She emphasized that the workshop aimed to promote personal and professional growth by providing guidance and support.
Mulili encouraged the students to remain dedicated to learning and to foster a sense of belonging and connectedness in their academic pursuits.
OVER 1,500 MAKUENI STUDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM HEALTH PROJECT
Over 1,500 students from grades 6 to 8 in Kibwezi, Makueni, Kaiti, and Mbooni sub-counties will benefit from the Mainstreaming Gender in Adolescent Health and Nutrition Project by Nutrition International. Launched by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili at Watuka Primary School, the project aims to improve adolescent health and nutrition.
Mulili emphasized the project’s focus on providing accurate information on sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. The project covers nutrition, drug abuse, and gender-based violence, aiming for positive behavioral change.
Isaack Wachira, Makueni’s county coordinator for Nutrition International, highlighted the project’s efforts to support pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers with nutrition education and supplementation.
The event was also attended by Assistant County Commissioner for Kako Division Jackline Leah, nominated members of the county assembly Hon. Elizabeth Mutindi Kiio, Hon. Sarah Mbilo, Hon. Josephine Muasa, Majority Whip Hon. Joyce Kamene, Director of Gender Jane Makau, and Director of Youth Affairs Boniface Muting’a.
THE DEPARTMENT OF GENDER, CHILDREN, YOUTH, SPORTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES HAS INDUCTED 210 YOUNG PEOPLE ON SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has inducted 210 young people on successful entrepreneurship, aiming to enhance self employment.
The 210 aspiring entrepreneurs were taken through a 2-day peer-to-peer mentorship at Iviani farm, located in Kwa Kathoka, Highlighting the effectiveness of social networking.
Iviani farm is popularly known for embracing modern technologies in drying fruits for both domestic and export market, fish propagation and production as well as livestock feeds manufacturing.
County Executive Committee Member Eng. Peter Mumo said the county government is at the final stages of unveiling the Makueni County Empowerment Fund which will provide cheap loans for business growth.
Faith Mumo, Chief Executive Officer of Iviani Farm and BEFA FEEDS underscored the need for youth mentorship and networking as a way of attracting more participation in entrepreneurship.
