News

MAKUENI AND WFP LAUNCH MARKET ACCESS STRATEGY TO SUPPORT FARMERS

Makueni County Government in partnership with the UN World Food Program (WFP), has launched a market access strategy aimed at helping smallholder farmers connect with public markets.

The Makueni Smallholder Farmers Access to Public Institutions Markets Strategy, which will be implemented from 2024 to 2028, was officially launched on Friday by WFP Country Director Lauren Landis and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The strategy will allow smallholder farmers to access 30% of the AGPO reserve designated for local products to Public Institutions as outlined in the Public Procurement and Disposal Act.

Landis praised the county government for its commitment to supporting farmers with essential resources like seeds and fertilizers, emphasizing that increased food production in Makueni could significantly enhance both the local economy and nutritional outcomes.

The launch event that drew over 200 farmers from organized producer groups across Makueni saw Governor Kilonzo express strong support for the collaboration, stating that it would boost farmers’ confidence by ensuring markets for their produce. He also encouraged them to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming rainy season, crucial for the county’s agricultural success.

The event featured remarks from Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza, Daniel Ndolo and Dr. Jossylyn Mutua (Livestock, Devolution and Trade respectively), who contributed to discussions on the future of farming in Makueni.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ATTENDS 66TH NATIONAL NURSES ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday attended the 66th National Nurses Association International Annual Scientific Conference at Kenyatta University. The three-day event, themed “OUR NURSES, OUR FUTURE,” brought together nurses from all 47 counties to discuss the future of healthcare in Kenya.

The conference aims to provide a platform for nursing professionals to share experiences, address workforce challenges and explore ways to improve the quality of healthcare in the country.

In his speech, Governor Kilonzo emphasized the vital role of nurses in driving healthcare. He noted that Makueni County had introduced a nursing directorate to specifically address the concerns of nurses, ensuring better working conditions and services.

He further stated that Makueni has prioritised career growth of nurses by promoting a considerable number of nurses to higher grades.

The second day afternoon session was also attended by Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilberforce Otchilo, Kenyatta University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Waceke, various health officials and leaders from the National Nurses Association of Kenya (NNAK)

UNICEF AND MAKUENI COUNTY EXPLORE PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

UNICEF Country Director to Kenya, Shaheen Nilofer, alongside Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., led a pivotal meeting today aimed at exploring potential collaboration to advance Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in Makueni County. The discussions centered on strengthening efforts to improve the quality of education and care for young learners.

Makueni County has made remarkable progress over the past two years in transforming its ECDE sector, with a strong focus on infrastructure enhancement, teacher development, and learner support. The county has excelled in providing essential teaching and learning materials, fostering talent development, and ensuring the health and nutritional well-being of ECDE learners. Notably, the county’s health department has successfully reached 1,298 ECDE centers between January and June 2024, representing a 93% coverage rate.

During the meeting, both parties explored key areas for future collaboration. These included promoting health and nutrition initiatives, introducing school feeding programs, and providing digital learning gadgets to enhance modern learning methods. Additionally, the introduction of kitchen gardens was discussed as a way to diversify the learners’ diets, alongside efforts to improve water sanitation, hygiene interventions, and social protection programs for young children.

Ms. Nilofer praised Makueni for its commitment to empowering teachers and building a robust ECDE infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of early childhood interventions, noting that catching children at this formative stage is critical for long-term success. “Makueni has set an excellent example with what it has achieved so far,” Nilofer remarked, commending the county for prioritizing early learning and expressing confidence in the potential for future collaboration.

UNICEF leadership further acknowledged the county’s progress and expressed interest in supporting its digital learning platforms, which aim to increase parental engagement in the educational process. The exchange of best practices and the scaling of successful initiatives were highlighted as key opportunities for collaboration.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening ECDE in the county and welcomed UNICEF’s support in expanding these efforts. “We are committed to giving our young learners the best foundation possible,” he said, expressing optimism about the long-term impact of these partnerships. Governor Kilonzo also underscored Makueni’s readiness to work closely with UNICEF in implementing the proposed initiatives to further uplift the county’s early childhood education landscape.

The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both leaders expressing their shared vision of creating a brighter future for Makueni’s youngest learners through targeted support and innovative programs.

EXPECT DEPRESSED RAINS, WEATHERMAN WARNS

Makueni County is expected to receive depressed rains in the October-November-December rain season according to the Kenya Meteorological Department.

The county’s upper ecological zone (Mbooni, Kithungo/Kitundu, Kilungu, Ilima, Ukia, Kee) expects an average rainfall of 310mm- 490mm, while the middle zone ((Tulimani, Kako/Waia, Kisau/Kiteta, Kasikeu, Mukaa, Kiimakiu/Kalanzoni, Nzakika, Emali/Mulala, Wote/Nziu, Muvau/Kikumini and Mbitini) expects 250-430mm of rainfall.

The lower ecological zone (Makindu, Nguu/Masumba, Kalawa, Kikumbulyu South, Kikumbulyu North, Nguumo, Thange, Ivingoni/Nzambani, Mavindini, Kathonzweni, Kitise/Kithuki, Masongaleni and Mtito Andei) expect 190 – 310mm of rainfall.

The rains are projected to start between October 26th and November 8th and cease between 1st and 15th December 2024.

The County Climate Change Unit advises farmers to plant low rain crops and where possible massively harvest water for irrigation.

MAKUENI SURGICAL CAMP ATTRACTS PATIENTS FROM 6 OTHER COUNTIES.

The ongoing surgical camp at Makueni County Referral Hospital has drawn patients from across the country, including Nairobi, Kajiado, Meru, Kiambu, Kitui, and Machakos counties.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who witnessed the surgeries reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding medical outreach programs, vowing to bring more initiatives like this to Makueni in order to alleviate the burden of hospital bills for residents.He said this will go along way in promoting the county as a medical tourism destination.

The camp, organized by the Department of Health Services and the Surgical Society of Kenya, includes a team of specialists from Tanzania, members of the Rotary Club of Nairobi, and other key partners.

Over 100 patients are expected to undergo surgeries by the end of the week.

Prof. Paul Odula, President of the Surgical Society of Kenya, shared that the team has treated a variety of conditions, including goiters, hernias, cataracts, hearing impairments, and prostate issues.

HUNDREDS TURN UP FOR CORRECTIVE SURGERIES AT THE MAKUENI COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Over 200 patients with varying ailments turned up at the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital, Wote, for screening and corrective surgeries on day one of a one-week surgical camp.

The camp, organized by the Department of Health Services in partnership with the Kenya Surgical Society aims to address pressing health issues within the community. On Monday, they were able to successfully complete surgeries for 17 patients.

The team is set to operate on an additional 20 patients today, with plans to reach a total of 80 to 100 surgeries by the end of the week. The surgical camp will tackle a range of conditions, including goiter, hernias, prostate problems, cataracts, and hearing impairments.

Dr. Paul Musila, the Executive Committee Member for Health Services in Makueni, noted that many patients have endured their ailments for years due to financial constraints preventing them from accessing necessary surgical care.

The Health Services Department is utilizing this camp as an opportunity to register patients into the Social Health Insurance (SHA) program, further ensuring that residents can benefit from ongoing healthcare support.

READY TO DRINK KALAMBA JUICE LAUNCHED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Sunday officially launched the ready-to-drink Kalamba fruit juice during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Matiliku, Makueni Sub-County.

Governor Kilonzo announced that the County will continue to sell mango puree locally and for export, while the remaining produce will be processed into ready-to-drink juice.

Agriculture County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Joyce Mutua disclosed that the Kalamba production line has been linked to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamp duty system, and the final product has received full certification from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

She said the County has implemented a quality assurance program to ensure consistent product quality. Additionally, a distribution point for the juice has been established at Green Park, Wote, with plans to stock it in supermarkets and various points of sale soon.

Mutua further noted that the County has identified value-chain champions in every Ward to support mango farmers by facilitating the off-take of their produce at designated aggregation centres.

To regulate the mango trade, all mango buyers in Makueni will now be required to obtain a movement permit, in addition to paying cess, to ensure fair distribution of trade across all areas.

HONOURING HEROES/HEROINES

During the 61st Mashujaa Day celebrations at Matiliku, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. awarded medals to four individuals for their outstanding service to the community.

Loise Nzilani Muthamia was honored for her exceptional midwifery skills, having safely delivered countless children in Wote since 1986.

Masaku Mutua, a 100-year-old, was recognized for his generous donation of land, which houses Matiliku Sub-county Hospital, Matiliku School, the district headquarters, and the market. He has also donated land to several churches.

Among the other recipients were four-year-old Blessing Maluki, who was named the best national champion in the solo verse category at this year’s Kenya Music Festival, Ken Ouma Sanya,a clinical officer at Kyaani Health Centre whose commitment to his duties has earned him respect and admiration of the community and Peter Mwanthi, a diligent support staff employee of Makueni County.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. AND COUNTY COMMISSIONER HENRY WAFULA ON SUNDAY LED MAKUENI RESIDENTS IN CELEBRATING THE 61ST MASHUJAA DAY AT MATILIKU TOWN.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and County Commissioner Henry Wafula on Sunday led Makueni residents in celebrating the 61st Mashujaa Day at Matiliku town.

During his address, Governor Mutula assured the public that no health facility in the county would close due to understaffing. He announced that the health department is working on a locum program to ensure that facilities run by a single healthcare worker remain operational when the staff member is on leave or attending other official duties.

The governor also revealed ongoing discussions with the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) to secure sufficient medical supplies for the county, with a target of maintaining a fill rate above 80%. He confirmed that the drug stocking process for the second quarter is already underway, a move aimed at preventing stockouts in health facilities.

On water projects, Governor Mutula highlighted the implementation of key initiatives, including the AKWASH project, which extends to Kalawa, Athi-Tunguni, Mulima, and Ngosini earth dams. He further noted that through partnerships, the Miangeni irrigation scheme in Kalawa Ward is progressing, with the potential to increase water production by 5,000 cubic meters and expand irrigation by at least 500 acres upon completion.

The governor was also flanked by his deputy Lucy Mulili, Makueni MP Susan Kiamba, assembly speaker Douglas Mbilu,Area MCA Francis Mutuku and other county officials.

CONTROLLER OF BUDGET LAUDS MAKUENI COUNTY FOR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION

Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, has lauded Makueni County’s Solarization Project at the Referral Hospital, describing it as a model initiative that could be replicated in other counties to cut energy costs.

The flagship project for the 2023/2024 financial year is projected to save the hospital Ksh. 7 million annually in electricity bills. By reducing the hospital’s energy expenses and ensuring an uninterrupted power supply, the project aims to significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services.

Dr. Nyakang’o visited Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Friday to present findings from a monitoring exercise conducted by a team from the Controller of Budget’s office, which evaluated the county’s budget implementation for the 2023/24 financial year.

The team assessed several key projects, including the solarization initiative at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, the Kathuma Borehole Water Project and the Makueni Child Protection Centre. These site visits included discussions with stakeholders to review progress, identify challenges and gather feedback.

The COB delegation also reviewed the administration, management and performance of the county’s Own Source Revenue (OSR). Dr. Nyakang’o praised Makueni for surpassing its Ksh. 1 billion OSR target but encouraged the county to push further and aim for its full potential of over Ksh. 2 billion.

She described the overall monitoring exercise as highly positive, noting that while there are a few challenges, the progress of devolution in Makueni is evident and encouraging.