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RASTAFARIAN YOUTH LEADER CHAMPIONS CLIMATE ACTION IN TULIMANI.

𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐊𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚, popularly known as 𝗠𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘀, the youth representative in the Ngoano Sand Dam Project Management Committee (PMC) at Nthaani Village, Tulimani Ward.

His election by the community was unanimous, a clear vote of confidence in the role of young people in driving local development and climate action. As the youth representative, Muras has pledged to champion the successful implementation of the Ngoano Sand Dam Project and rally fellow youth to embrace climate-smart farming, leveraging the reliable water supply that the project will provide to build resilient livelihoods.

The KSh 10 million project, funded by the Government of Makueni County through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, is expected to transform livelihoods by providing year-round water for domestic use and irrigation, while supporting climate-smart agriculture through the establishment of coffee, macadamia, and Juncao fodder demonstration farms.

Construction is set to commence this week, marking the beginning of another community-led investment in climate resilience and sustainable development.

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐬: Community site handover and the location where the Ngoano Sand Dam will be constructed.

MAKUENI PRAISED BY SENATE COMMITTEE OVER PRUDENT USE OF SPECIAL FUNDS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday earned praise from senators after appearing before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee to respond to audit queries and update members on the implementation of previous recommendations.

Senators commended Makueni County for the efficient utilization of Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) funds, citing the county’s prudent financial management .

Governor Mutula told the committee that the county was resolving land succession disputes affecting four parcels hosting the Makueni Fruit Development and Marketing Authority, a move expected to secure ownership of the property.

On the Makueni County Empowerment Fund, formerly known as Tetheka, the governor said the county had operationalized new regulations, was recovering debts inherited under the previous structure and had begun piloting the new model in 41 groups.

Senators also lauded the automation of the fund, describing Makueni as a benchmark in the management and implementation of county empowerment programmes.

The committee was chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi.

COUNTY FILLS KEY VACANCIES AS OFFICIALS TAKE OATH OF OFFICE

Irene Nduku Makau was sworn-in on Monday as Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism, filling a vacancy left by the death of Sonia Nzilani last year.

County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa administered the oath in a ceremony witnessed by Gov. Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Deputy Gov. Lucy Mulili, county executive members, members of the County Public Service Board and MCAs.

She takes office after a competitive recruitment process and approval by the Makueni County Assembly.

Also sworn in were Julius Mwania Kinyungu as chief officer for Agriculture and Eng. David Makau Ndolo as chief officer for Infrastructure, Transport and Public Works.

Members of the newly established Mbooni Kee Municipality Board, Penninah Nduku Muendo, Alexander Kyalo Munyao, Jones Makau Mutisya and Caleb Mbithi Vokila , also took the oath of office.

The county government also issued promotion letters to several staff members during the ceremony.

The governor urged the new officials to begin work immediately and consult the county leadership whenever necessary.

MUTULA URGES CLOSER COLLABORATION TO PROTECT WATER PROJECTS FROM VANDALISM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for stronger collaboration between county governments and water agencies to safeguard public water projects from vandalism, saying the destruction of infrastructure continues to undermine investments in the sector.

The governor made the remarks on Monday when he met the leadership of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency (TAWWDA) led by Board Chairperson, Regina Ndambuki and Chief Executive Officer Sammy Lemunke Naporos.

Mutula said security should be incorporated into the design and implementation of water projects to protect critical infrastructure from sabotage and ensure investments deliver lasting benefits to residents.

The governor also urged the agency to fast-track the development of a sewerage system for Wote Town, warning that delays could trigger serious public health challenges once the government’s Affordable Housing Programme becomes operational.

The TAWWDA delegation is in Makueni to oversee the implementation of key water and sanitation projects aimed at improving access to clean water across the county.Among the flagship projects is the construction of a reinforced concrete weir on the Kaiti River, a 400-cubic-metre sump, infiltration galleries, submersible pumps, a 20-kilometre water distribution pipeline and 1,000 household water connections.

The Agency also handed over two motorcycles, office equipment and 10 smart water meters to the Makueni County Government to strengthen water service delivery and improve administration.

MULIMA EARTH DAM TO DRIVE CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN MBOONI WARD

Mulima Earth Dam and its auxiliary water treatment facility in Mbooni Ward are set to anchor a transformative climate resilience initiative under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

Through the Climate Change Unit, the Government of Makueni County has launched the Mulima Water Distribution and Livelihood Restoration Project, an integrated investment designed to enhance water security, climate-smart agriculture and sustainable livelihoods.

The project will distribute treated water from the existing Syiluni distribution tank to five water kiosks and two communal water points, expanding access to safe, potable water under the #LastMileWaterConnectivity programme.

To boost climate-smart agricultural production in the horticulture-rich ward, the project will stock the dam with 10,000 fish fingerlings to improve household nutrition and diversify livelihoods. It will also establish demonstration farms for coffee and macadamia, alongside a Juncao fodder farm to strengthen dairy production.

Speaking during the project site handover to the contractor, Makueni Director of Climate Change Jackline Kamusa said the integrated project is among 17 others across the county geared towards building community resilience to the impacts of climate change through locally led climate action.

TWIN FLLoCA PROJECTS TO TRANSFORM WATER ACCESS AND AGRICULTURE IN MUVAU/KIKUMINI AND KIKUMBULYU SOUTH.

Thousands of residents in Muvau/Kikumini and Kikumbulyu South wards are set to benefit from improved access to water and climate-smart agriculture following the commencement of two major livelihood restoration projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

Makueni Climate Change Unit officers, led by Director Jackline Kamusa, on Thursday officially handed over project sites to contractors for the implementation of the Thwake Water Distribution and Livelihood Restoration Project in Muvau/Kikumini Ward and the Ngandani Water Distribution and Livelihood Project in Kikumbulyu South Ward.

The Thwake project is designed to tackle chronic water shortages by enhancing the Thwake Sand Dam and expanding water distribution to several water-stressed villages, including Kyemwole, Nyunzu, Kambi Mawe, Kwa Kathoka, Mulaani, King’uutheni, Mwenyenyo, Kwa Mutune, Mang’auni, Kasarani, Sombi and Kwa Pius.

Beyond improving access to water, the project will boost agricultural productivity through the establishment of a fish hatchery at Kwa Kathoka ATC, pasture and fodder farms, agroforestry through the distribution of citrus and mango seedlings, and the installation of a rain gauge to support climate-informed farming.

Meanwhile, the Ngandani Water Distribution and Livelihood Project will improve access to clean and safe water through the construction of a spring intake at Kithokoosyo, installation of distribution pipelines and water kiosks to serve surrounding communities. The project will also promote climate-smart agriculture through pasture establishment, livestock breed improvement, apiculture, and farmer training on water management, rangeland governance and livestock value chains, helping farmers increase productivity while building resilience to climate change.

KILIFI COUNTY BENCHMARKS MAKUENI’S EXCELLENCE IN MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTHCARE

Makueni County on Wednesday hosted a delegation from Kilifi County at the Makueni County Referral Hospital for a learning visit aimed at sharing best practices in maternal and newborn healthcare.

The delegation, comprising facility management teams and Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) care providers, visited the hospital to benchmark on the innovative approaches that have positioned Makueni County Referral Hospital as a centre of excellence in the delivery of quality maternal and newborn health services.

The bench-marking exercise focused on operational workflows, staffing models, use of health data to drive quality improvement, maternal and perinatal mortality surveillance and response, as well as strategies for sustaining quality care and improving health outcomes.

Health officials noted that the exchange of knowledge and experiences between counties is key to strengthening healthcare systems and accelerating the reduction of preventable maternal and newborn deaths across the country.

The visit reaffirmed Makueni County’s growing reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation, with its successful models continuing to attract learning delegations from other counties seeking to improve service delivery and enhance patient outcomes.

MAKUENI INTENSIFIES MARKET CLEANLINESS DRIVE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC HEALTH.

The County Government of Makueni, through the Department of Health, on Wednesday conducted a clean-up exercise at Wote Grocery Market as part of ongoing efforts to improve sanitation and promote a healthier trading environment.

Led by County Executive Committee Member for Health Joyce Mutua, and Wote Municipality Manager Everlyn Mutua, public health officers, traders and community members collected and disposed of solid waste, unclogged drainage channels and cleaned the market surroundings. The team also sensitized traders on proper waste management and the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards.

Joyce Mutua reaffirmed the department’s commitment to regular clean-up exercises and public health awareness campaigns across markets and other public spaces to prevent sanitation-related diseases and promote a clean, safe and healthy environment.

The initiative is part of the county government’s broader efforts to strengthen environmental sanitation and foster shared responsibility in keeping public spaces clean across Makueni County.

MAKUENI STRENGTHENS DISABILITY INCLUSION THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING

The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with CURE Kenya and CBM through the SHINE Project, successfully conducted a two-day training for Health Workers, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), and Community Resource Workers to strengthen disability inclusion, early identification, prevention, advocacy, and referral systems across the county.

The training equipped participants with practical skills in disability screening, early detection, rehabilitation, referral pathways, and community linkages, while enhancing their capacity to identify and support persons with disabilities. Participants were also sensitized on common congenital and physical disabilities, underscoring the importance of timely intervention in improving health outcomes.

The training was graced by the Director in charge of preventive and promotive Health,Dr. Stephen Mwatha, who reaffirmed the health workers’ commitment to strengthening disability-inclusive health services through continuous capacity building.

The initiative forms part of Makueni County’s broader efforts to build an inclusive health system by empowering front-line healthcare workers with the skills needed to promote early detection, timely referrals, and access to quality rehabilitation services.

FLLoCA PHASE II WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST WATER ACCESS AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Residents of Ivingoni/Nzambani and Mtito Andei wards are set to benefit from two water projects under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, aimed at improving water access while strengthening community resilience to climate change.

On Wednesday, officers from the Makueni County Climate Change Unit officially handed over the project sites to contractors and newly constituted Project Management Committees, paving the way for construction works to begin.

At Kwa Nzoongo in Ivingoni/Nzambani Ward, the County Government will expand and deepen an existing earth dam constructed during Phase I of the programme to enhance rainwater harvesting and storage. The project will also support climate-smart livelihoods through complementary interventions.

In Mtito Andei Ward, the Ngai Ndethya Sand Dam Project will involve raising the weir, laying an 8-kilometre water distribution network, constructing three water kiosks and installing CCTV surveillance to safeguard the solar-powered water pumping system.

Expected to be completed within three months, the projects will provide reliable water for households, livestock and agriculture, improving livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience across the two communities.