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MAKUENI COUNTY SHINES AT THE 97TH EDITION OF THE KMCF

Makueni County has showcased exceptional talent at the ongoing 97th Kenya Music and Cultural Festival held at Taita Taveta National Polytechnic, Voi.

In Class 105, featuring own-choice solo performances of chants, dirges, lullabies and work songs, Ruth Wambua and Munyao Mwonga clinched 1st and 2nd positions, respectively earning trophies for their outstanding solo performances.

The County Choir also took 1st place in Class 301B for their rendition of an accredited Western sacred or secular piece in the chamber choir female voices category.

The choir also secured 2nd place in Class 481 for an original composition inspired by the festival theme.

In the fiercely contested Class 443A, the County Choir triumphed with a 1st-place finish for their rendition of the set piece Kenya Naipenda by Farah Davis.

Additionally, they also took 5th place in Class 451 for their performance of Kenyan Zilizopendwa classics.

Makueni’s excellence extended beyond music, with Kee Botanical Gardens clinching 1st place in Class 1402 for their exhibition of traditional medicine, followed by Posha Medicina, also from Makueni, in 2nd place.

These achievements highlight Makueni County’s rich cultural heritage and outstanding musical and artistic talent.

RUTO LAUNCHES GREENTECH HUB IN KONZA TECHNOPOLIS.

President William Ruto on Friday inaugurated the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub in Konza Technopolis, Makueni County in an event attended by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., government officials, entrepreneurs, academia, policymakers and business leaders.

President Ruto said the government had launched a digital infrastructure project to construct a 100 km fibre optic super highway to connect 74,000 public institutions to the internet.

Phase two of the project will deliver internet services to 8.5 million homes and businesses.

Governor Kilonzo thanked the national government and partners for initiating the project in Konza. Terming it a dream come true, the Governor requested the Government to consider reducing taxes on green energy components.

The hub will encourage green and digital transitions in agriculture, ICT and energy sectors.

It is powered by Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Cloud Computing and it is intended to assist Kenya’s micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, which are the heart of the country’s economy.

The hub, an initiative under the UNDP Timbuktoo Project, also aims at transforming the country into a globally competitive, knowledge-based economy driven by innovation.

MAKUENI PRESENTS 342 PARTICIPANTS AT THE 97th KENYA MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS.

The 97th edition of the Kenya Music and Cultural Festivals was officially launched on Tuesday at the Taita Taveta National Polytechnic in Voi, marking the start of a thrilling ten-day celebration of Kenya’s vibrant artistic and cultural heritage.

The event, which was graced by Taita Taveta Deputy Governor H.E. Christine Saru Kilalo, promises a rich array of performances, including music choirs, drama, spoken word, narratives and cultural exhibitions drawn from all over the country.

During the opening ceremony, Kilalo warmly welcomed participants and visitors to Taita Taveta, urging the competitors to celebrate the nation’s diverse cultures through their performances.

Makueni County made a notable contribution to the festival with 342 participants led the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism by Dr. Sonia Nzilani,

Dr. Nzilani expressed confidence in Makueni’s strong performance, highlighting the county’s continued commitment to nurturing and developing its arts, music and cultural sectors.

The launch ceremony also featured a spirited and electrifying modern dance performance by Wote Technical Training Institute, which had previously taken first place in 96th edition of KMCF held in Makueni.

The ceremony was attended by KMCF Chairperson Prof. Emily Akuno, Kenya Cultural Centre Chief Executive Officer Michael Pundo, Makueni’s Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani among other national and county government officials.

GOVERNOR MUTULA HANDS OVER SITE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NDUKUMA DAM WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has officially handed over the site for construction of Ndukuma Dam Water Distribution System to the contractor. The dam, with a capacity of 365,000,000 litres, will supply water to 16 distribution points in Phase 1, benefiting over 6,000 residents.

The phase 1 distribution system comprises of 15 M3/hr pumping system, 13,400 Watts of solar power, 100 M3 masonry tank and 7km pipeline network.

This initiative is part of Governor Mutula’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Programme, which seeks to expand access to clean and safe water. The programme targets achieving 70% water coverage in Makueni County by 2027.

USAID PARTNERS WITH MAKUENI COUNTY TO BOOST REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Local Food Systems program, has joined hands with the County Government of Makueni to promote regenerative and conservation-based agricultural practices in the county.

The initiative, targeting 5,000 households, aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase profitability, and uplift household incomes.

One of the program’s success stories is Georgina Musyoki, an early adopter who earned Ksh 350,000 from her 5-acre farm in 2023. Her achievements highlight the potential of regenerative agriculture to transform livelihoods in Makueni.

To celebrate the program’s success and its transformative impact, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday hosted visiting USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, Mia Beers at Muvau ward. Beers is visiting from Washington DC.

The visit underscores the shared commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices for long-term food security and resilience.

USAID ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD SECURITY BOSS VISITS MAKUENI FOR A TOUR OF JOINT WATER PROJECTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosts USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Resilience, Environment and Food Security Mia Beers for a development tour of Makueni.

The envoy is touring water projects developed by USAID through STAWI in partnership with the Makueni County Government to appreciate their community impact.

The projects include Kaiti 2 water project set to provide water to residents of Sarova area near Wote for domestic use and micro- irrigation. Others are solarizarization of Mwaani borehole and construction of a 300 cubic meters treatment sump at Kamunyolo.

The projects are meant to increase access to clean potable water for Wote town and water for climate smart farming to enhance food security.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH SCHOOLTRY TO ENHANCE DEVOLVED EDUCATION THROUGH ICT.

Makueni County has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Schooltry, a Swedish program founded in 2018, to enhance education through digital transformation. The partnership, involving the County’s ICT Department and Schooltry, aims to utilize ICT to improve service delivery in education and other sectors. Over the past two years, Makueni has achieved significant milestones in ICT and innovation including the Project Monitoring and Tracking System (PMTS), The County Integrated Health Management Information System ( CIHMIS), enhancement of the County Core Revenue System ( ZIZI), the Supplier Registration Portal, the Vocational Training Centers (VTC) Portal and other citizen engagement tools.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. highlighted the role of ICT in promoting transparency, saying, “We are a transparent government and that has been possible due to systems developed and deployed by our ICT Department.

The delegation expressed commitment to helping Makueni achieve the next level of digital transformation.

Schooltry’s team included Carlotta Falk, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships, George Jilani, Kenya Country Director, Ismail Eleburuike, Founder and Global CEO and Fredrick Wallmark, Global COO.

VOLUNTARY HIV TESTING AND COUNSELING ON THE RISE

In recent times, Makueni County has witnessed an increase in the number of individuals voluntarily undergoing HIV testing and counseling, with many stepping forward to know their status and seek related healthcare services.

During the World AIDS Day commemoration held in Makindu on Monday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili outlined the county’s comprehensive plans and strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and mitigate its impact on the local population.

World AIDS Day, marked on December 1, honors lives lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrates survivors’ resilience, and calls for action to support those affected.

This year’s theme highlighted public education and united efforts to end HIV while tackling issues like new infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.

Makueni County has intensified its HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives by establishing friendly clinics, deploying mobile health units, and conducting community outreach programs, significantly enhancing access to healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has rolled out targeted sensitization campaigns in colleges and among county employees to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts.

A poignant moment during the commemoration was the testimony of a 54-year-old HIV advocate who has lived with the virus for 28 years. His powerful story of resilience and advocacy serves as a source of inspiration for many.

After being abandoned by his family following his diagnosis in 1994, he overcame immense challenges and has since become a leading voice in HIV awareness, using his journey to empower and encourage others to seek support and embrace hope.

OVER 3000 BENEFIT FROM SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CAMP IN MAKUENI

More than 3000 residents received orthopedic,dental and cataract surgeries at Tawa Sub-County Hospital during a medical camp organized by the County Government of Makueni in collaboration with the Shrimad Rajchandra charitable organization.

The medical camp successfully addressed three complex orthopedic cases, performed 114 eye cataract surgeries, and conducted 70 dental procedures.

In addition to the surgeries, the camp provided vital health screenings for diabetes and high blood pressure, enhancing access to critical healthcare services for the community.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Stephen Ndolo, Chief Officer for Health Services, encouraged locals to take full advantage of the camp’s offerings, including screenings for cervical and breast cancer as well as other medical conditions.

Dr. Ndolo also urged residents to enroll in the Makueni Care health insurance program (SHA) to ease the financial burden of hospital bills, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in accessing affordable healthcare.

The camp reflects the county’s ongoing efforts to improve health services and promote preventative care among its residents.

MAKUENI COUNTY HOUSING COMMITTEE APPOINTED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. appoints Cosmas J. Maweu as Chair, County Housing Committee, alongside members Jacinta Mwikali Mbilo, Peterson Mwiu Kimweli and Purity Mwikali Mutisya, following County Assembly approval.

The committee will oversee housing policies and projects and ensure affordable and sustainable housing development in the County.