News

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI LEADS COUNTY IN CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili led Makueni County’s centenary celebrations for 100 years of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Kenya on Wednesday, held in Makindu town.

The nationwide celebrations feature a torch relay across counties to raise awareness among youth about TVET opportunities and equip them with employable skills.

Mulili received the TVET torch on behalf of Makueni County. The torch had arrived from the Coast region.

Makueni boasts three TVET institutions—Wote Technical Institute, Kibwezi West, and David M. Wambuli TVCs.

Addressing the public, Mulili emphasized the vocational institutions as powerful engines that drive industrial growth, combat youth unemployment, and support Kenya’s ambitious national goals outlined in Vision 2030.

MAKUENI TO HOST NATIONAL KENYA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

Makueni has been selected to host a new Kenya School of Agriculture campus, which will offer training in agriculture-related courses, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.has announced.

Governor Mutula revealed that his administration has already allocated land for the construction of the school.

The governor has also secured a hot water treatment facility from the National Government to enhance the export market for mangoes in Makueni.

Governor Mutula made these announcements on Wednesday during a meeting with the staff of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development.

Governor Mutula praised the dedication and commitment of the agriculture staff in providing essential extension services to farmers, which are crucial for sustained agriculture and food security in the county.

He urged the officers to go above and beyond their duties to make a significant impact on the farmers of Makueni.

The staff meeting was organized by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and agriculture and Livestock Chief Officers Dr Victoria Kyallo and Japheth Kiminza.

The Governor was accompanied by Transport Executive Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Devolution Executive Japheth Mang’oka.

GOVERNOR MUTULA WITNESSES SWEARING-IN OF KEY MEMBERS OF MAKUENI CLIMATE CHANGE STEERING COMMITTEE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday presided over the swearing into office of four members of the Makueni County Climate Change Steering Committee. The committee is now fully constituted and ready to drive the climate change agenda.

The committee is responsible for policy direction in climate change actions as stipulated in the Makueni Climate Change Act, 2022.

Governor Mutula asked the committee to leverage on the county’s wide network of partnerships to secure funding for climate change resilience building investments so as to improve the quality of life for wananchi.

Pursuing Green Bonds to raise resources for climate resilient development is one of the tasks awaiting the committee. Makueni has been greenlighted by Financial Sector Deepening Kenya to pursue the Green Bond.

GOVERNOR MUTULA INAUGURATES AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHMENT OF KEE-MBOONI MUNICIPALITY

Makueni has set plans in motion for creation of a third municipality in an endeavour to further devolve resources and services closer to mwananchi.

On Wednesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to consider whether the proposed municipality area meets threshold as spelled out in the Urban Areas and Cities Act.

The proposed Kee-Mbooni Municipality area covers Kivani, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa, Mbumbuni, Kalawa and kitundu crosscutting Kaiti and Mbooni sub-counties.

Governor Mutula was flanked by Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officer Jackson Daudi.

SENATE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PRAISES MAKUENI’S REVENUE AUTOMATION AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee has lauded Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr for the automation of all county revenue streams which has enabled the county to collect Kshs.1 Billion in own source revenue for the Financial Year 2023/2024.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who chairs the committee termed the innovative financial solutions as key in achieving clean audits and value for money for Makueni residents.

The committee also commended the mechanisms put in place to handle pending bills including legal fees, and requested the governor to share the same with the Council of Governors for replication in other counties.

The Governor met with the Senate Committee on Tuesday morning to consider the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the County Executive of Makueni for Financial Years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. A bulk of the recommendations and queries by the Auditor General in the year under review have been implemented and resolved.

DELIVERING THE PROMISE MATTERS ECDE.

Today at AIC Kathonzweni Comprehensive School Over 700 ECDE Learners and 91 ECDE teachers participated in the County Kenya Music Festivals.

The Government of Makueni County is fully committed to delivering on the 3 Pillars of ECDE education.

1. Growth and Development of our Learners. Nurturing Talents and provision of ECDE Learning Materials

2. ⁠Human Resources- Converting our ECDE teachers to PNP

3. ⁠ECDE Infrastructure- Ensuring the ECDE Class is the best delivered as per National Government Pre- Primary standards and guidelines.

WOTE, KMTC CAMPUS

On Friday, the County’s Culture, Music, and Arts Directorate in collaboration with the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) hosted the annual college’s Cultural Day at Wote Campus.

Talented medical students showcased their creativity through various cultural performances including a beauty pageant and creative wear.

The Wote Campus KMTC drama team along with other institutions and groups has been actively participating in the annual Kenya Music Cultural Festival, representing Makueni County with sponsorship from the Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism.

This cultural day is a build-up for participation in the 97th KMCF edition in December 2024 notwithstanding celebration of the diverse cultural tapestry that enriches the institution, highlighting the integral role of cultural activities in fostering community spirit and unity of the school.

MAKUENI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ANGLICAN CHURCH AGRO-ENTERPRISE FOR FARMER TRAINING.

June 14, 2024

The County Steering Committee for the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), led by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, toured the Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise on Friday to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

The enterprise specializes in apiculture (beekeeping), poultry, horticulture, and pig farming, serving as the primary foodstuff supplier for the Resort.

A key area identified for collaboration is the training of farmers on best agricultural practices to enhance profitability among small-scale farmers in the county.

“The Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise offers a unique model of diversified farming that can greatly benefit our local farmers,” Mutua stated.

By partnering with them, the county aims to provide farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their productivity and profitability.

FARMERS GAIN INSIGHTS INTO INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS AT FIELD DAY

June 13, 2024

Farmers attended a field day at Wonder Farm in Makindu to learn about innovative agricultural technologies implemented by Phoebe Mwangangi,the farm’s owner, to promote climate-smart agriculture, enhance food security and support sustainable economic growth.

Key takeaways included:

Minimum Soil Disturbance: Utilizing practices like no-till or reduced-till farming to maintain soil fertility, enhance water retention, and support plant growth.

Deep Tillage: Plowing soil deeper than 12 inches to alleviate compaction, promote root growth, and improve water and nutrient distribution.

Intercropping: Growing multiple crops together in the same field to optimize space, increase yields, enhance soil health, and reduce pests and diseases.

Zai Pits: Employing small planting pits filled with organic matter to boost water retention and soil fertility, thereby increasing crop yields in arid regions.

Mulching: Covering soil with materials such as straw, leaves, or plastic to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, regulate temperature, and enhance fertility.

Surface Run-off Rainwater Harvesting: Collecting rainwater from rooftops or impermeable surfaces, directing it into storage for irrigation and household use, thereby conserving water and minimizing erosion.

Planting Drought-Tolerant Crops: Cultivating crop varieties adapted to thrive with minimal water, crucial for regions susceptible to drought, ensuring consistent crop yields.

The event was organized by the Makueni County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in collaboration with the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. UNVEILS UPGRADED KASIKEU MODEL HEALTH CENTER TO BOOST LOCAL HEALTHCARE.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Unveils Upgraded Kasikeu Model Health Center to Boost Local Healthcare

In a significant stride towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure health and well-being for all, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. inspected the newly renovated Kasikeu Model Health Centre and a construction of a waiting bay within the facility in Kilome on Thursday.

The Kasikeu Model Health Center, now enhanced to better serve its community, caters to an average catchment population of 8,000 residents and handles a monthly patient workload of approximately 1,400. This renovation is expected to significantly improve healthcare delivery in the area.

Accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and other government officials, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is in Kilome Sub-county to oversee and inaugurate a series of development programs aimed at bolstering local infrastructure and services.