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Partnerships

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH AIC CURE HOSPITAL AND ARD TO BOOST PEDIATRIC CARE, WATER GOVERNANCE, AND CLIMATE ACTION.

On Monday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two key organizations: AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya and ARD, a prime contractor for USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program.

AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya, a Christian non-profit organization, specializes in pediatric surgical care, focusing on children with physical and neurological disabilities.

This partnership aims to enhance the provision of ortho-pediatric surgeries and rehabilitation services for children with corrective physical disabilities at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to improve access to these essential healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has entered into a partnership with ARD (WASH-FIN2) to bolster governance in the water and sanitation sector, improve service delivery, and mobilize financing for the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

Makueni County is currently implementing FLLoCA activities, which aim to establish a national model for decentralizing funds to counties and empowering local communities to have a greater influence in addressing climate-related challenges.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed a high-level delegation from Nutrition International, led by the organization’s Vice President of Program Operations, Dr. Paula Tanaglia.

The delegation was in Makueni to assess the progress of ongoing nutrition programs and more specific on Adolescent Health and Nutrition program that supports adolescent girls and boys in the county.

Nutrition International has partnered with Makueni County to implement a comprehensive health and nutrition program aimed at improving the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, newborns, children under five, and adolescents.

The Adolescent health and nutrition initiative involves a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Departments of Health Services, Teacher Service Commission and Gender by providing adolescents with Nutrition education and weekly iron and folic acid supplements (WIFS) to boost their feeding practices and avert anaemia and its symptoms among the girls.

The program is currently being implemented in 590 schools across the County.

Program coordinators reported significant improvements in adolescent health and nutrition, as well as enhanced academic performance among girls and a reduction in absenteeism in schools among others.

Mulili expressed her appreciation for the partnership and announced plans to increase budget allocations to expand the program further.

In addition to the nutrition initiative, Nutrition International has also partnered with the county to implement gender mainstreaming in adolescent health and nutrition, a program spearheaded by the deputy governor.

The initiative has been piloted in 20 schools across Kaiti, Makueni, Mbooni, and Kibwezi West sub-counties.

Dr. Paula Tanaglia, Nutrition International’s Vice President of Program Operations, expressed her delight at witnessing the positive impact the program has had on the children.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ISSUES KSHS. 9 MILLION IN GRANTS TO BOOST LOCAL SACCOS OPERATIONS.

Nine SACCOs from various wards in Makueni County have received Kshs. 9 million in grants from Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The grants will help the SACCOs establish office operations and improve financial management through proper bookkeeping.

NAVCDP, funded by the World Bank, will support small-scale farmers involved in the mango, apiary, dairy, poultry, and tomato value chains, to transition from production to market access.

On Wednesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. issued the grants and also inaugurated 30 Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs).

The committees are designed to foster improved governance and strengthen community participation in local development initiatives.

The governor also distributed ten motorcycles to agricultural extension officers, to ease their mobility for effective service delivery to farmers.

Governor Mutula reiterated his administration’s commitment to support farmers in the county, to access good markets for their produce.

The event was also graced by CECMs Joyce Mutua and Damaris Kavoi, (Agriculture and Finance), Deputy Speaker Francis Mulwa, Majority Leader Kisungi Wa Katete, Area MCA Elizabeth Kawembe, other 15 MCAs and National and County government officials.

REHABILITATION OF THREE WATER SOURCES SET TO ALLEVIATE WATER WOES IN WOTE TOWN.

Residents of Wote town are looking up to taps running 24/7 with clean, reliable and sufficient water at low cost.

The county government with support of one of her development partners, USAID, has embarked on rehabilitation of three water sources around Wote, aiming to increase daily supply capacity from 2,500 cubic meters to meet the current demand of 4,500 cubic meters.

Through Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) Programme, the county government and USAID on Wednesday handed to contractors sites for solar power installation, piping and distribution of Kaiti 2 sand dam water project; installation of solar power for Mwaani borehole. At Kamunyolo dam, a 300 cubic meters sump will be constructed to increase the treatment capacity.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who hosted a delegation of STAWI officials earlier said it is regrettable that Wote town still struggles with water challenges, 32 years after it was inaugurated as Makueni District headquarters. He said his administration will ensure the county capital becomes an investment hub with all necessary amenities, including sufficient water supply.

NGUUMO RESIDENTS ENDORSE KYANDULU-NDOVOINI WATER PROJECT.

Residents of Nguumo Ward have unanimously endorsed implementation of Kyandulu-Itangini-Kibarani-Ndovoini water project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is among 13 across the county identified by wananchi through a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment for climate change resilience building.

In a public participation forum held at Kiundwani Chief’s camp, the residents denounced suggestions by some local leaders to distribute water from Kyandulu borehole in one subward, saying it would disadvantage their neighbours.

The Sh 10M project is set to distribute water to more than 6,000 residents in the Last Mile Water Connectivity progamme, geared towards bridging the 30,000 cubic meters water supply gap per day in the county.

MAKUENI UNVEILS COSTED 10-YEAR GREEN ENERGY PLAN

Makueni has unveiled a 10-year Ksh 74B green energy plan touted as the solution to the county’s sustainable, and affordable energy requirements set to transform its economic landscape.

The Energy Plan, developed in collaboration with the United Kingdom Government, Strathmore Energy Centre and the World Resources Institute is a strategic blueprint designed to guide the development and implementation of energy systems and policies in the county, aiming to ensure sustainable, reliable and affordable energy for her residents and businesses.

The plan was launched on Tuesday in Wote by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya Dr. Ed Barnett, National Oil Corporation Chief Executive Officer Gideon Leparan Morintat among other local leaders.

Governor Mutula outlined his vision for a Makueni powered by clean, sustainable, and affordable energy aiming for complete electrification, extended business hours and improved clean-cooking solutions.

A notable step towards green energy in the county includes a Ksh. 30 million investment in a solar PV system at Makueni County Referral Hospital, expected to save Ksh. 7 million in energy costs annually.

Other notable leaders who graced the event are Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Strathmore University Energy Centre Director Dr. Churchill Saoke, World Resource Institute country representative George Mwaniki, county officials, local clean energy advocates and other energy sector stakeholders.

MAKUENI SIGNS A DEAL TO STRENGTHEN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

Makueni County has signed a memorandum of understanding with two NGOs to strengthen citizen participation in development.

The agreement was signed on Thursday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and representatives from Makueni Development Trust (MADET) and Kitise Rural Development (KRD) at the Governor’s office in Wote.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening locally-led and locally-managed county development initiatives.

The collaboration is aimed at addressing the development concerns of the citizens through participatory planning, social accountability and community-led resource mobilization.

Kitise Rural Development has been instrumental in piloting the Makueni Governance Project that seeks to promote just and accountable governance through public participation in Kitise/Kithuki and Makindu Wards.

The county government has through this program trained and sensitized the community on their social-economic rights in order to increase their knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions through public participation.

PS GENDER, GOVERNOR KILONZO DISCUSS PLANS FOR GBV COURT IN MAKUENI.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Ann Wang’ombe, Dr.Sam Thenya, Founder Nairobi Women’s Group paid a courtesy call to Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at his Wote office on Wednesday.

During their meeting, they explored a potential collaboration with the judiciary to establish a specialized court at the Makueni Law Courts dedicated to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) cases.

Governor Kilonzo emphasized the importance of law enforcement in ensuring GBV laws are strictly upheld.

PS Wang’ombe is in Makueni to attend a gender sensitization forum aimed at promoting gender mainstreaming for a more equitable society.

The forum brings together the county’s CECs, Chief Officers, directors, the Gender Assembly Committee, Makueni High Court presiding judge, County Police Commander, and other key stakeholders in gender and child protection.

MBOONI SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL RECEIVES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH KSH 1 MILLION FROM SAFARICOM FOUNDATION.

On Thursday, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received vital medical equipment valued at Ksh 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation, aimed at improving healthcare services at Mbooni Sub-County Hospital.

The donation, presented by Safaricom Foundation Chair Joe Ogutu, includes 9 ward beds, 2 room heaters, 2 baby cots, a delivery couch, a treatment trolley, a 50-seater tent, and 25 chairs. These items are intended to enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare to the local community.

Speaking during the handover, Deputy Governor Mulili highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in resource mobilization, which align with the county’s vision and the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan.

Safaricom Foundation Chair Joe Ogutu praised Makueni County for making effective use of previous donations and emphasized the foundation’s commitment to bringing impactful projects through strong partnerships with the county

MAKUENI ESTABLISHES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUE GROUP.

In a bid to strengthen healthcare services, the Makueni County Government has established a strategic partnership with Avenue group, Nairobi.

This collaboration aims to establish a two-way platform for surgical training, mentorship, and research.

On Wednesday, the governor alongside Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, visited Avenue group’s headquarters in Nairobi to discuss this promising alliance.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship that would allow Makueni’s sub-county health facilities to work closely with Avenue group both digitally and in person.

This partnership is expected to include joint workshops, surgical training camps, mentorship programs, research initiatives, live demonstrations, and the co-publication of medical findings.

In attendance were Prof.Paul Odula, Head of Department of Surgery at the institution and Dr. Michael Mwachiro, Head of Gastroenterology among others.