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Kibwana Forms Committee to Deal with Floods Crisis

Governor Kivutha Kibwana has formed an inter-departmental committee to coordinate and address emergency responses on the flooding disaster that has hit the County.

Kibwana who had to cut short his stay at the 5th devolution conference in Kakamega to address the disaster at home on Wednesday dispatched a team of executive committee members to various sub- counties to assess the damage and interventions required to restore normalcy from the flooding disaster.

So  far, 24 earth dams across the county have breached  and washed away resulting into a serious water challenges. Boreholes, water pumps, water pipelines and kiosks have also been damaged leaving the affected residents with no water access.

In a preliminary report on the extend of the flooding damage, released by Governor Kibwana on Thursday, water resources worth more than Sh 300 million have been lost to the raging floods in the county.

“We are facing a real disaster in Makueni. I have personally witnessed acres of crop that have been flattened, uprooted water pipelines and sumps.This is a huge damage that so far is estimated at Sh 300 million on water resources alone,” he said.

He said seven lives had been lost to the disaster so far.

Governor Kibwana said his government will distribute mattresses and foodstuffs to those displaced from their homes as a temporary measure, while lobbying non governmental organisations, the national government and other partners to come up with long term solutions to the flooding menace.

“We are in talks with the KeNHA, KeRRA, Red Cross, NDMA and other support groups to undo the damage especially on roads, bridges, water resources and resettlement of Internally Displaced People.

He said at least Sh 2  billion will be required to restore normalcy across all affected sectors in the entire county.

He spoke at Nguu ward during a tour of the affected families.

  • April 27, 2018 in News

Kibwana, Senator Meet Leaders Over Flooding Crisis

Makueni County leaders led by Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Wednesday met to deliberate on how to mitigate the effects of heavy flooding in parts of the county occasioned ‎by the current heavy rains.

The leaders discussed emergency response to restore normalcy after several households were affected and at least four people killed by the raging floods.

During the meeting which happened on the sidelines of the Kakamega devolution conference ,Prof Kibwana said that concerted efforts by all elected leaders was required to address the ongoing catastrophic floods.

“Lets bring on board even our members of the national assembly to save our people from this emergency,” said the governor.

While  addressing the meeting, senator Mutula Junior encouraged  MCAs  to initiate talks with the MPs despite their political affiliations to face the catastrophy together for the safety of the people of Makueni.

“I know some of us here talk with the MPs. Go  and start talking with them so that we can solve this menace together,” Mutula said.

  • April 27, 2018 in News

3,500 Delegates Visit Makueni Exhibition Booth at the Kakamega Devolution Bazaar

The Makueni county exhibition tent at the Kakamega devolution conference was a major attraction throughout the devolution bazaar as delegates and other exhibitors took time out to admire some of the products on show.

About 3,500 delegates signed in at the  county exhibition booth to view exciting documentaries on development and infrastructural progress achieved so far.

The county has been admired by many due to progressive implementation of major development projects.

The mention of Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana’s name during the conference was always received with massive applause forcing him to always stand and wave to the delegates to acknowledge their good reception.

Many delegates scrambled to greet the governor every time he walked out of the conference venue with hundreds demanding for selfies with Prof Kibwana who has become a devolution superstar.

Yesterday the county deputy health promotion officer Bretta Mutisya who was leading the county exhibitors said the visits to the booth were massive with many coming to watch the documentaries while others sampled some of the products on display.

“We have interacted with so many guests during this conference. My colleagues who came with products have sold them out. People have picked handbooks from here to familiarize with our development story,” said Ms Mutisya.

Some of the products on show included mango jam, juice, makueni fresh milk, various branded original honey and several booklets detailing development projects by the county.

Several governors and top executives attending the conference also passed by the booth to witness the various development projects being showcased.

Many were interested in the mango juice following the story of Makueni Fruit Processing factory while others asked questions on how the county managed an elaborate universal healthcare system with the scanty resources allocated.

On Tuesday,  Makueni became the talk of the conference after President Uhuru Kenyatta made several references to Governor Kivutha Kibwana acknowledging the initiatives implemented under his government.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also echoed the president’s sentiments when he addressed the conference on Wednesday.

  • April 27, 2018 in News

Makueni Case Becomes the Reference Point at the 5th Devolution Conference

Development in Makueni County has become a major reference point in this year’s devolution conference with many speakers urging other counties to visit for bench marking.

President Uhuru Kenyatta started it all when in his live televised speech broadcast to delegates through a link acknowledged that Makueni and Mandera counties have made strides worth emulating.

“I commend governor Kibwana for rolling out in Makueni their own version of subsidized healthcare and food processing plant,” said President Kenyatta.

He urged other counties to emulate Makueni County led by Prof. Kivutha Kibwana adding that prudent use of public of funds allocated to county governments was key to successful implementation of devolution.

Prof Kibwana hailed the President for a good speech adding that his invitation to counties to work closely with his government was worthy.

Other speakers at the conference including Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang praised Kibwana and urged other counties to benchmark from Makueni instead of flying to foreign countries like Singapore for the same.

“The other day we invited Prof Kibwana to the Senate,he did not complain. He came with his entire government including the speaker and we took a whole day looking at the issues raised. Other governors should follow this,”Mr Kajwang said.

And while making a presentation on governance and public participation at the Conference on Thursday Prof Kibwana said that his decision to attend the senate summons was because the people of Makueni had asked him to do so.

“One of the reasons why we appeared at the Senate when we were summoned is because it is the people who had asked us to go. By failing to go it means we would then get into problems with them,”Prof Kibwana said.

He talked of Makueni’s village to village set up in the public participation approach adding that up to 120,000 people participated in this year’s County Integrated Development Plan validation in over 3,000 villages.

“Some leaders are afraid of the Public Participation because the people will ask you questions when you go to them,” said Prof Kibwana.

He also said that Makueni  County  will, as a way of enhancing the public participation approach, initiate an open contracting system so that it is clear who asked for what jobs and who are the directors of the bidding companies.

Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau is also attending the conference bringing together multi-sectoral stakeholders in the devolution sector including all governors and senators.

  • April 25, 2018 in News

Nazi Signs MoU on Menstrual Hygiene Management

Makueni County First lady Nazi Kivutha on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the County First Ladies Association, African cotton Industries Limited and Kenya Red Cross Society.

The tripartite partnership is geared towards implementing menstrual hygiene management program across all the counties

The main agenda of the MoU is to create awareness on adolescent reproductive health needs and provision of conducive policy and social environment for menstrual management

Nazi, who is also the chairperson to the First Ladies association, said the MoU will create a platform in which the parties will cooperate in the realization of the respective strategies and plans.

“The program will focus on menstrual hygiene management, adolescent sexual and reproductive health education, nutrition education, mentorship and life skills development and policy influence,” the First Lady said.

According to Nazi, the program will be launched on May 3, 2018 before a coordinated implementation can kick off

She said the purpose of the MoU was to lay out the framework for collaboration between the parties adding that it will help promote joint actions by the three groups.

The parties will in accordance with the provisions of the MoU, Nazi said will endeavor to work together and maintain a continuous working relationship.

Activities to be undertaken under the MoU will be identified and jointly implemented by the parties.

Also to be undertaken includes advocacy for reproductive health, campaign against FGM and early childhood marriages among other Gender Based Violence (GBV) issues.

The First Ladies Association will help the group with mobilization of resources, mentorship, coordination and administration of the program

  • April 19, 2018 in News

Tell us in advance when government is facing cash crunch: Kibwana

Governors now want the national treasury to give clear and prior information regarding delays in disbursement of cash for counties to stop anticipatory budgeting.Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana warned that unreliable cash releases has forced many counties to abandon projects after failing to honour promises to suppliers and contractors following lengthy delays in disbursement of county allocations by the Treasury.

Prof Kibwana who was speaking at the inaugural retreat of the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights  in Malindi said that counties need to know the actual cash release schedules to enable them to plan how to roll out their programs.

The governor urged the senate to intervene over the delays which he said had paralyzed many counties’ programs leaving many peripheral governments fighting legal battles with contractors.

“I have advised that there should be a candid discussion every time the National Government faces a financial shortfall so that counties don’t budget in anticipation for money that will not come,” Prof Kibwana told Senators at the Ocean Beach Resort in Malindi.

The governor who made a presentation on safeguarding constitutionalism in the implementation of devolution also urged the senate to harmonize their mandate so that counties are not forced into situations where they have to face two parallel inquiries from the senate and county assemblies on the same matter sometimes with conflicting verdicts.

“Though am not complaining as a person it would have been better if the senate came up with an harmonized understanding on how to do oversight. So that governors do not have to face same inquiries at the Senate and at the County assemblies-sometimes ending up with clashing resolutions,” Prof Kibwana noted.

He further told the Senators who also included Speaker Kenneth Lusaka that governors had asked to have an inquiry on county finances for which they had been summoned to appear from next week postponed to give them time to conclude similar processes already underway at the county assemblies.

“We have been asked to appear in the Senate over audit queries from Monday. I personally have no problem with that. But the council of governors has requested that you postpone it to allow us clear with county assemblies who have also summoned governors over the same,” the Governor said.

The governor said that usurping of functions already devolved and neglect of others that should be undertaken by the national government was a major crisis at the county level.

“Sometimes the national government is holding on to functions that should be done by counties but counties are also forced to step in sometimes initiating projects that should be undertaken by national government like coming up with scholarships and the rest,” he said.

The governor who represented the Council of Governors at the retreat also said that the release of equalization fund which was meant for poor counties was delayed under the first devolution regime and called for intervention of the senate to ensure timely releases.

Prof Kibwana also urged the senate to support calls for the release of more funds to the counties adding that the 15 percent allocation so far which has accumulated to over 1 trillion shillings for the last five years was not enough.

Mr Lusaka said that the Senate will support governors adding that though the first senate may have failed in achieving its mandate when Senators locked themselves up in sibling rivalry battles with governors the second senate is changing the game.

“We are not here to frustrate the governors. We will facilitate them to ensure devolution works,” said Mr Lusaka himself a former governor.

He said that the Senate will as from July initiate a rotational assembly scheduling of its sessions which will be hosted by various counties starting with Uasingishu in July.

“We are going to hold our assemblies at the counties. This will be rotational and we will start from July, “he said.

He also promised to ensure that senate works on the clarity on its roles and that of the county assemblies to eliminate duplication of roles.

Justice Jactone Ojwang who attended the retreat to represent the Chief Justice  admitted that the judiciary had in certain cases gone overboard in making some rulings adding that it is not the work of the courts to fetch for cases.

  • April 11, 2018 in News

Governor Kibwana Feted for Outstanding Devolution Implementation

Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana has been honored by the Kenya Human Rights Commission for his outstanding performance, reformist agenda and fight for human rights in the country.

Together with Zarina Patel an environmental activist, cartoonist Godfrey Mwampembwa (GADO), John Nottingham a former colonial District Commissioner the four were recognized and awarded by the human rights body during its 25th anniversary dinner in Nairobi on Wednesday.

The implementation of model public participation system by Prof Kivutha Kibwana’s government in Makueni County was also cited as reason for the honour.

Prof Kibwana was described as a top performing governor due to the reforms he has introduced in his county.

 

“The Makueni governor has introduced reforms revolving around the implementation of free universal health care, issuance of title deeds and the introduction of processing plants to better accommodate the work of mango and milk farmers.” read a citation by KHRC on Prof Kibwana.

The Makueni governor’s previous work at the National Convention Executive Council, where he pushed for constitutional reforms and national dialogue in the 90’s also contributed to his award as an outstanding reforms champion.

While accepting the recognition, the governor said he dedicated the award to the people of Makueni, who have shaped their government to great heights through participation in the county’s development agenda.

“During the making of the 2018-2022 County Integrated Development Plan, over 120,000 people out of a population of about one Million took part through public participation forums. It is the People’s contribution towards development that has brought us to where we are.” he said.

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong’o who was present hailed Prof Kibwana for his achievements as governor adding that his exemplary performance was admirable and record setting.

“When I grow up. I want to be like Prof Kibwana. He has set the record which all governors must follow,” Prof Nyong’o said.

The anniversary ceremony was graced by among others; Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, KHRC chairman Makau Mutua, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia, former senate speaker Ekwe Ethuro and former Justice and constitutional affairs minister in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration Martha Karua

  • April 3, 2018 in News

Governor’s Remarks During Validation of CIDP II

REMARKS BY H.E. GOVERNOR OF MAKUENI COUNTY PROF. KIVUTHA KIBWANA DURING COUNTY PEOPLES’ FORUM ON CIDP 2018-2022 AND FY 2018/19 BUDGET HELD ON 23RD MARCH 2018 AT ATC KWA KATHOKA

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today marks the end of a long and very important journey which as County Government we committed ourselves to. It is a process through which we set out to let our people guide their development.

The process of CIDP and FY 2018/19 budget public participation started on 13th December 2017 in all 3,612 villages in the County. The process progressed to the sub-ward where several clusters met and discussed the views and suggestions from their villages; project appraisal at sub ward levels with sub-ward development committees and technical officers was undertaken before meeting at the ward level for validation.

The process also benefitted from various thematic groups including Nairobi and Mombasa Diaspora, teachers’ fraternity, non-state actors, children, the elderly, People Living with HIV (PLHIV), People with Disability (PWD), faith based representatives and all the elected and nominated leaders in our county.

Today we gather here to validate as County our CIDP 2018-2022 and FY 2018/2019 budget.

The Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the supportive legal framework on devolution have placed strong emphasis on public participation, transparency and accountability as a means of improving efficiency, equity and inclusiveness of Government and service delivery.

As a Government, we are witnessing an increasing desire of our people to participate in their own development. This process witnessed the highest turn up since 2013 of close to 120,000 people out of our population of about 1 million. This is a good indicator that our people now understand their role in development. I am informed that in some sub wards, the people turned out in large numbers, close to 600, this is extremely commendable.

The extensive participation process provides confidence and legitimacy on our second generation CIDP priorities. The CIDP process brings together the needs and aspirations of our people, the challenges and priority interventions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Backward Review

As we gather here today, we need to take stock of the development outcomes from our previous implementation process. What achievements did we have? How did our people benefit from the interventions? What success stories do we have? What challenges did we face? What lessons did we learn? This reflection will be critical for each department as we envision the future. There is no future without reflection of the past journey.

During the last cycle (2013-2017) we faced many challenges. These ranged from time taken to learn and structure devolution, the political wrangles that delayed our development and the high expectation from the citizens. We have now overcome those trying moments that enhanced our resilience and refined our purpose to deliver to our citizens.

Re-orienting our development

The theme of our CIDP 2018-2022 is Improved Household Income for Sustainable Livelihoods. The county will focus on attaining development through four key areas namely; reliable potable water for domestic use, irrigation, food security and agricultural commercialization, youth, women and PWD economic empowerment, universal health care for all.

During the period 2018-2022, the Government will invest in the following enablers to ensure realization and achievement of the key result areas:

Energy, Infrastructure and ICT

Institutional strengthening, capacity development and citizen engagement

Ladies and Gentlemen

Our Vision 2025 aims at social transformation and wealth creation. Our CIDP is aligned to the Makueni Vision 2025, Medium Term Plan III of the Kenya Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals. The County is set to benefit from such integrated development planning as it offers an opportunity for coordinated development from all development actors and thus improved effectiveness and efficiency in resource use. The Government seeks to adopt result oriented development as opposed to project led development.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Overtime, the government has been viewed as the sole driver of development in any community, however other sectors and players including non-state actors, private sector and the religious organizations have continually played a great role in service delivery. As a Government we appreciate the critical role played by non-state actors including; project formulation and prioritization; enhancing participatory planning and budgeting; resource mobilization to bridge the funding gap by the government and advocacy and public awareness creation. All partners in the development have been consulted and we will continue to work closely, including our brothers and sisters in the diaspora, both Kenya and abroad to ensure we have the best for our county.

Mainstreaming Cross Cutting Issues in County Development

In the process of preparing the CIDP, we ensured that all cross cutting issues namely; climate change, environment, youth, gender, disability, disaster risk management and HIV have been mainstreamed.

Effects of climate change have huge impact on our development which is largely dependent on sectors such as agriculture, water and livestock. It is against this background that urgent climate action is required to ensure sustainable development is realized. Our county is vulnerable and measures geared on enhancing the adaptive capacity of our people have been prioritized.

The CIDP is responsive to youth, gender and disability issues. We are committed to ensure economic and social empowerment of the vulnerable amongst us. Specifically, the youth (18-35 years) in the county constitute 24% of the total population. We are committed to ensuring that our programmes and initiatives empower the youths as well as providing opportunities to earn income.

Key Institutions to facilitate development

During the plan period, the Government will establish and also strengthen key institutions to facilitate effective service delivery. These include; County Audit Committee, County Budget and Economic Forum, an office of Ombudsman, County Attorney, donor and development partners liaison unit and County Irrigation Board. Office of the Ombudsman is a confidential, neutral and independent source of information and assistance to anyone affected by the government operations and activities. The Office will help in addressing the problems and complaints which do not involve litigation, arbitration, or mediation.

County Attorney will help enhance the effectiveness of the legal and policy framework in the county. Specifically this will facilitate preparation of policies required to execute all devolved functions. The County Irrigation Board will be tasked to manage the irrigation infrastructure while the Donor Liaison unit will serve as an interface between the Government and development partners in matters of development. Additionally, our Government will strengthen the Service Delivery Unit in an effort to ensure development results.

It is worth noting that most of economic decisions such as where to work, how much to save and invest, and what education to acquire are most frequently made at the family level. Stable families are a very important ingredient to our development as county. The government will invest in programmes that will endeavour to strengthen families and family leadership.

The government will ensure that all projects began in 2013-2017 CIDP, that had been phased or inadequately funded, are completed and launched for their intended purpose. Further we will endeavour to ensure that going forward project appraisals are done prior to preparation of budget estimates to ensure adequate funding of programmes in CIDP 2018-2022.

Enhancing Service Delivery Mechanism

We are committed to ensure that collectively we deliver the aspirations of all every citizen. The CIDP will forms the basis of resource allocation and performance management. Recently we launched the county performance management system through which everyone knows what needs to be achieved and what is required of them and when.

Every staff member is under performance contract for senior staff and performance appraisal for all staff below directors. The process will culminate today with the performance contract signing ceremony with the people of Makueni. We all have roles and responsibilities in delivering prosperity in our county, as duty bearers, the government officials have a higher responsibility on accountability. The citizens equally as right holders have a critical role to play in delivering our dream and working together we shall deliver.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am greatly honored to witness all these in our county, especially when our people are recognized and involved in shaping the destiny of our County. As we draw towards 2022 when my mandate will expire I will leave office with the confidence that the people of Makueni Mbaa Makueni own their government. I take this opportunity to thank you all for taking part in our County development agenda which will shape our undertaking for the next five years. We fully acknowledge and value your participation and contribution in the development of our great county.

I thank you.

  • April 3, 2018 in News

Kibwana, NTSA Launch Road Safety Team

Makueni county government and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) have launched a partnership on road safety by unveiling a County Transport and Safety Committee.

The county is listed among the top ten in last year’s road accident report where it is ranked fifth after Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and Machakos with 148 fatalities booked within its road networks last year.

The committee will be responsible for overseeing the management and regulation of the road transport system within the county and to run programs that will sensitize the public on road safety.

The committee will also be tasked to implement county specific road safety strategies in consultation with the county and the NTSA in order to check death causing and paralyzing road crashes.

The committee will in consultation with relevant departments within the county develop a framework for post-crash including pre-hospital care and para-medical services in accident prone areas and also recommend legislative and administrative improvements needed to improve road transport and safety in the county.

The committee was inaugurated by governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and NTSA deputy director, safety strategies and county coordination Dr.Duncan Kibogog.

“This is an initiative we want to support as a county government since transport is a function shared with the national government,”Prof Kibwana stated.

Prof Kibwana said that his government has nominated representatives from various transport sectors including boda boda and matatu groups to the committee.

He regretted that his county is featured among the worst accident causers and said that a proper campaign to reduce deadly accidents in the area must now be initiated.

He however indicated that the county may have found itself in the accidents’ blacklist because about 150 kilometers of the northern corridor on Mombasa road notorious for some of the worst accidents in the country fall within the county.

Makueni county, the governor said is setting up a trauma center at Makindu which will be of help to accident victims.

Dr Kibogog said that county governments will play a crucial role in the campaign to reduce road carnage adding that new strategies are required to deal with the menace.

He said that the boda boda sector is a major contributor to the number fatal crashes recorded adding that training of cyclists is key to reducing the number of accidents the country.

“It astonishing that road accidents is the ninth leading cause of death globally and that is why we must all be concerned and do something about it,” said the NTSA official.

Dr Kibogog further noted that last year 2,919 fatalities were reported in Kenya.

  • March 20, 2018 in News

Chyulu Valley Borehole Project Commissioning


Governor Kivutha Kibwana and young Brian Mutiso gulp handfuls of water from Chyulu valley borehole project during its commissioning on Friday 16th March 2018.
The project, developed in partnership with Kenya Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene project (KIWASH) is set to benefit 11,000 residents of Mukanda, Migingo, Mtito Andei, Mbukoni and Nthongoni within Ivingoni/Nzambani and Mtito Andei wards, Kibwezi East Sub county.
  • March 16, 2018 in News