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KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE IN ACTION

On Monday, the County Treasury welcomed two officials from Kisumu County’s Economic Planning Directorate on a learning mission focused on data and statistics. 

As Kisumu prepares its second generation County Statistical Abstract, the delegation is keen to draw inspiration from Makueni’s consistent track record in producing quality statistical abstracts. The County Government of Makueni is currently preparing it’s 6th series.

The visit also explored exciting opportunities for collaboration on statistical policies, strengthening ties between the two counties for better data-driven decision-making.

MAKUENI LEVERAGES ON TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Makueni County has since the advent of devolution struggled to meet the water demand of her more than one million residents. While there are so many water projects developed to meet the current daily demand of 60,000 cubic meters, some remain nonfunctional and others performing below capacity due to governance shortfalls.

To improve management of water assets for sustainable supply of water to residents, Makueni County has adopted a transformative Water Management Information System (MIS), which tracks the developed infrastructure, functionality, coverage and management challenges where applicable.

The system is co-created in partnership with USAID-STAWI and is intended for use by different stakeholders in the water sector for reporting on water assets management as well as report issues affecting water distribution systems to reduce governance-orchestrated water scarcity.

This digital system also enables informed decision-making and preventing duplication of efforts by water investors. With a centralized platform, stakeholders will collaborate efficiently, ensuring investments align with the county’s overall water agenda.

On Monday, water officers in the county were inducted on the use of the digital system in a forum graced by Water Executive Committee Member John Kieti, Chief Officer David Makau and USAID-STAWI South Eastern Coordinator Alois Muthini in Wote.

FARMERS HARNESS ROAD RUN-OFF FOR SUSTAINABLE FARMING

Farmers along the 3-kilometer Kavingo-Kyamang’atu-Ilela road in Kako Waia Ward have embraced road run-off harvesting, a transformative initiative led by MetaMeta Research in collaboration with the County Government of Makueni. This innovative approach turns road run-off—traditionally regarded as a problem—into a valuable resource for nature-based farming.

The pilot program, launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr in August 2024, has seen over 4,500 meters of mitre drains excavated along the road, 2,000 tree-planting holes prepared, and two gullies successfully rehabilitated.

Beneficiaries of the initiative highlight its multiple benefits, including providing irrigation for crops, preventing soil erosion, recharging groundwater, stabilizing soils and reducing road maintenance costs.

On Friday, 15th November 2024, Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi led a team from her department and community beneficiaries in planting over 2,500 trees along the road. This effort included 500 fruit trees and indigenous pastures planted on private farms to enrich soil health and improve food access.

Eng. Nthambi reiterated that the county government has integrated the “roads for water” concept into all road-grading projects to ensure sustainable road maintenance and curb soil erosion.She was accompanied by Roads Director Eng. Martin Kitavi and Area MCA Dennis Musyoka during the event.

The team also launched a locally constructed drift, a project collaboratively undertaken by the community and the county government. The community-driven labor initiative demonstrates the sense of ownership and sustainability that defines the program’s success.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES VERIFICATION EXERCISE

Did you know the Government Makueni County has been championing a vital initiative to ensure fair trading practices and safeguard consumer rights?

Pursuant to Weights and Measures Act (Cap 513), the County Weights and Measures Unit has been diligently implementing a regular comprehensive verification program aimed at confirming the accuracy of weighing equipment used across various sectors.

This program focuses on crucial areas such as petrol station pumps, butchery scales and shop weighing systems.

By verifying the correctness of these equipment, the exercise seeks to promote transparency and ensure that customers receive the exact quantity of goods they pay for, reflecting the true value of their transactions.

Further, the exercise is a strategic approach to avoid potential losses caused by improperly calibrated equipment.

During the exercise, fault weighing equipment are calibrated correctly to meet regulatory standards.

Hence, the County Weights and Measures Unit encourages entrepreneurs to actively embrace the regular verification practice of equipment for fair-trade practices.

‘Waùni wa kwika nesa na ùlùngalu’

FARMERS BENCHMARK AT YATTA CHRISTIAN IMPACT MISSION FARM ON SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES

A group of farmers and Agri-preneurs drawn from across the county, along with members of the Makueni County Assembly’s Agriculture Sectoral Committee visited the Yatta Christian Impact Mission (CIM) farm on Thursday for a one-day benchmarking tour.

The tour was aimed to learn about innovative and sustainable agricultural technologies, and explore sustainable farming practices that can help improve productivity.

Farmers were offered an opportunity to discuss modern farming methods and learnt ways of improving agricultural productivity in an eco-friendly way. Additionally, they explored various demonstration farms growing crops like onions, maize, sunflower, paw paws, bananas and kitchen garden setups.

Speaking during the tour, CIM Proprietor Bishop Masika encouraged farmers to make farming activity an all-round year activity by investing in storing water. Masika further stated, “endeavour in commercializing farming for economic empowerment.”

Leading the team, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua urged farmers to put the knowledge gained into practice and share it with others in the county. “The skills learned here have the potential to transform Makueni’s agriculture sector and improve the livelihoods of our farmers,” she said.

Mutua was flanked by Majority Leader Hon. Kisungi Katete, Hon. Francis Mutuku, Chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, other Committee members and Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza and Dr. Victoria Kyalo.

MAKUENI SET TO ESTABLISH MOBILITY DEVICES FITTING CENTRE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOPE INTERNATIONAL

Makueni is set to establish a wheelchair and other mobility devices fitting and modification centre in Wote town to address the mobility challenges of People with Disabilities (PWDs).

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has said Hope Mobility Kenya, which has a 5-year working partnership with the Government of Makueni County, will offer the technical support needed to establish this centre as well as train identified persons on wheelchair modification.

Hope Mobility founder Michael Panther who toured Makueni for issuance of 400 wheelchairs said this centre will be key in addressing the diverse disability needs. On many occasions, people with mobility challenges have been issued the wrong chairs in relation to their condition, thus endangering their health.

Governor Mutula says this centre will be enhanced to become a one-stop point for all disability issues ranging from vocational training, assessment, fitting and capacity building.

On Thursday, Makueni and Hope Mobility concluded a 3-day fitting and issuance of 400 wheelchairs.

TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL AGRICULTURE

A total of 30 Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) from across the county are currently undergoing a specialized administrative training program aimed at enhancing their understanding of institutional roles and responsibilities.

The committees, each formed by representatives from the agricultural value chain sectors of poultry, mango, tomato, apiculture and dairy farming are being prepared to serve as key links between the NAVCDP (National Agricultural Value Chain Development Program) and the local communities.

The training which began earlier this week is structured into six cohorts, with each cohort representing five wards. As of now, 20 wards have completed their sessions and the training is expected to wrap up by the third week of November for the remaining wards.

The goal of the CDDCs is to promote better governance and enhance community participation in agricultural value chain development, which is crucial for economic growth and improved livelihoods in the county.

During the training, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development Joyce Mutua emphasized the department’s commitment to supporting farmers. She further urged participants to focus on commercializing farming as a way to boost the county’s agricultural economy and improve market access for local produce.

The CECM was accompanied by Mary Muteti, the County Director for Agriculture, who also highlighted the importance of these committees in strengthening local agricultural initiatives and fostering sustainable development.

NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR 400 PWDs AS THEY GET MODERN WHEELCHAIRS

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services  in partnership with Hope Mobility Kenya  has kicked off a 3-day exercise to fit and issue wheelchairs to 400 persons  living with disabilities in the county.  

The Sh 20M worth of chairs are modified and assembled to fit the specific needs of the beneficiaries in relation to their disability. 

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday flagged off the exercise at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Education Centre in Wote.  He said this is part of his administration’s inclusivity agenda where no one is left behind in the county development agenda, their age, status in society or physical location notwithstanding.  

The county government has a five-year Memorandum of Understanding with Hope Mobility Kenya which will see more needy residents benefit from mobility assistive devices over the partnership period.

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’S GRADING AND GRAVELLING PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY

To strengthen connectivity and drive local economic growth, the Directorate of Infrastructure and Roads in Makueni County is diligently working to enhance access and mobility across multiple wards.

One of the key projects underway is the transformation of Mutulani- Ngangani road in Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward, a stretch that has until now been only a footpath, navigable by bicycles and motorbikes. Through extensive grading, this path is being turned into a fully accessible road, opening it up for vehicle passage and making it significantly easier for farmers to transport their produce to market. Grading works are also ongoing to open up Kwa Vutu-Yumbani road in Mbitini Ward.

The county machinery is also on site at the bustling Machinery Market in Thange Ward, which springs to life every Tuesday with hundreds of traders and customers. Gravelling efforts are in full swing to make market days smoother and more comfortable for everyone. The improved road surface around the market will enable easier access for vehicles, reduce dust and mud and create a safer, more inviting environment for trade.

These road works are part of a larger commitment by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr administration to create a resilient, accessible and prosperous Makueni, where better roads mean stronger communities and a brighter future for local agriculture and trade.