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MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH SAFARICOM FOR DIGITIZATION OF TETHEKA FUND.

On Tuesday, Makueni County’s Executive Committee Member for Gender, Eng. Peter Mumo, along with his ICT counterpart, Elizabeth Muli, led a multi-sectoral team of officers and stakeholders in reviewing the status of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund’s (Tetheka) new digital system, developed in partnership with Safaricom.

This digital system aims to automate the entire process of Tetheka loans—from application and processing to lending and payment. The primary goals are to enhance inclusion, efficiency, transparency, recovery, and overall accountability.

Eng. Mumo said the system is poised to revolutionize affordable credit access for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, improving their financial empowerment.

The review meeting in Nairobi was also attended by representatives of the Makueni County Assembly Committee on Gender, and representatives from the World Food Programme, our key development partner in social empowerment.

WORD BREASTFEEDING WEEK

World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually during the first week of August. The theme for 2024 is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.”

This year’s campaign will honor breastfeeding mothers in all their diversity, recognizing their unique journeys and highlighting the vital role families, communities, and health workers play in supporting them.

In Makueni, we celebrate every breastfeeding mother and advocate for equal access to breastfeeding support for all, recognizing the pivotal role fathers play in supporting women in this endeavor.

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. COMMISSIONS SOLAR PROJECT AT MAKUENI COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday commissioned the solarization project at Makueni County Referral Hospital.

The hospital’s new solar energy system, designed to harness 200 kilowatts at peak capacity, is expected to save the facility Ksh. 7 million annually in electricity bills.Before installing the new system, the monthly power bill was over 1.8M. After installation, June 2024’s bill was 1.1M and July’s was 1.2M, saving the county at least 600k-700k per month.

Governor Mutula emphasized that the solar system will supplement the often unreliable grid electricity, ensuring a consistent power supply and minimizing disruptions to medical services.

Dr. Paul Musila, the Health Services CECM, noted the environmental benefits of the project, saying that it will reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint. He also announced that the savings from the reduced electricity bills will be reinvested into enhancing patient care and upgrading hospital facilities.

Governor Mutula further revealed plans to construct a new intensive care unit, surgical center, and a private wing at the county referral hospital to bolster health services.

Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, the CECM for Infrastructure Transport, Public Works, Housing and Energy remarked that the project underscores the county’s commitment to fostering a greener future through investment in renewable energy infrastructure.

Governor Kilonzo was accompanied by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu,area MCA Felix Mateso and several MCAs, CECMs, and Chief Officers, among others, during the commissioning ceremony.

MAKUENI SIGNS 8 MOUS WITH PARTNERS TO PROMOTE FOOD PRODUCTION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday signed Memorandums of Understanding with 8 development partners in the agricultural sector aimed at boosting food production through different value chains development.

The partnerships, Governor Mutula said, aim to among others:

  1. Advancement of agro-based industries and promote food exports through agricultural enteprise development;

2. Support youth- led and youth-driven social economic innovation and entrepreneural activities;

3. Train farmer groups on various organic farming practices, commercial seed production and marketing of drought tolerant crops such as greengrams and pigeon peas;

4.Provide appropriate extension support to farmers and support prevention and management of pests and diseases;

5. Mobilize farmers and train them on Simsim farming as well as offer infrastructure support throughout the county;

6. Provide linkages between farmers and service providers.

The Partners to this cooperation are: Biovision Africa Trust, Alternatives Africa Limited, Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Participatory Ecological Land Use Management, SOLIDARIDAD East and Central Africa Expertise Centre, Biodiversity and Biosafety Association, Cereal Growers Association, and Mama Fresh Company Limited.

TOMATO VALUE-CHAIN TRAINING PROJECT IN MAKUENI COUNTY.

This initiative is geared towards enhancing agricultural practices, promoting the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and forming commercial groups to boost productivity, quality, and market access for tomato farmers.

The project also aims to contribute to economic growth and food security.

Addressing concerns about group activity and management, Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza reassured farmers that the Makueni government would collaborate closely with active members of commercial groups to ensure proper management.

Additionally, farmers were encouraged to join Saccos through which the government will provide access to credit,extension services and saving opportunities, further supporting their agricultural ventures.

COUNTY ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE FACT-FINDING TOUR.

Today, the Makueni County Assembly Committee on Agriculture conducted a fact-finding tour of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant to assess its operational status. This visit followed up on concerns raised by Hon. Maneno, the MCA for the host ward, regarding the viability of the milk processing plant.

Several critical issues were discussed during the tour. Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries, Japheth Kiminza informed the committee that the Government had already settled power bills owed to the plant, ensured supply of clean water, planned to deploy technicians,and is in the process of building and equiping a laboratory in preparation for opening the plant to production.The Dairy Plant, when operating at optimum capacity, can process 10,000 litres of milk per day and produce other dairy products like yoghurt and mala for the local market.

This visit underscores the commitment of the County Government and relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth operation and sustainability of the Kathonzweni Dairy Plant.

Those present included; Chief officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza,The assembly Agriculture committee led by Hon. Jacintah Mwikali (Vice Chair), Hon. Maneno (the Host Mca) , Hon. Serah Mbilo, Hon.Jonathan Kimongo,Hon. Josephine Ndambuki, Hon. Jeniffer Mwanthi, Hon. Mercy Mutuku and the Kathonzweni dairy plant Cooperative committee members among other people.

MAKUENI TO ROLL OUT LIVESTOCK INSURANCE PROJECT

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development in Makueni County on Thursday held a successful stakeholder engagement forum on the roll-out of a livestock insurance project dubbed DRIVE (Derisking, Inclusion, and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies) project.

This project aims to sensitize livestock farmers in the county’s dry areas about the importance of livestock insurance, which supports sustaining livestock during droughts by providing feeds and water.

50 community mobilizers, primarily youth farmers, have been selected to register livestock farmers for insurance and educate them on marketing strategies.

County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua said the program, in partnership with the World Bank, reflects the County Government’s commitment to support livestock farmers for sustainable and optimum livestock production.