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Kibwana, Polish diplomat say growing Makueni ASK show good for Agricultural promotion

Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Friday officially opened the second edition of the county’s agricultural show at Makindu saying that it provides a nearer and convenient venue for exhibition by farmers in Makueni.

Prof Kibwana who was accompanied by Polish ambassador to Kenya  Jacek Bazanski who had earlier  paid a courtesy call to his office toured several exhibition stands where Makueni farmers showcased agricultural products and technological innovations.

” As you are aware Makueni has been served by the Machakos show previously. Our farmers therefore will have a nearer and convenient venue for exhibition, ” Prof Kibwana said.

He further noted that his government has initiated and subsidized several farm inputs including the artificial insemination services in order to support agricultural production which has been a challenge to farmers.

He said: ” We are aware that the cost of production by farmers is a challenge to many. To this end, my government has subsidized several farm inputs..Among them, AI services with farmers now paying sh 300 per insemination down from the  initial Sh 1,300.”

Makueni Deputy governor Adelina Mwau challenged farmers to implement what they had learnt from the show terming it as a very educative event.

 

” I celebrate the exhibitors and organisers of this show. Let’s implement what we have learnt here, ” the DG said.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior who was present during the official opening of the trade fair challenged exhibitors and farmers from Makueni to take advantage of the upcoming Machakos agricultural show and showcase innovations and products from Makueni.

” Different constituencies in our county produce different agricultural products. Let’s take advantage of the upcoming Machakos show and display our products there, ” Mutula stated.

The trade fair was also attended by the County Assembly speaker, Douglas Mbilu, Several county executive committee members and other government officials, members of  the county assembly and officials from Agricultural Show of Kenya.

Kibwana pledges close working relationship with Muslims in Makueni

Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Saturday evening joined Muslim faithful for an Iftar at Wote.

Speaking at the event hosted at  Jamia-Al-Masjid Mosque Prof Kibwana noted that both Muslims and Christians in Makueni have shown unity and love,adding that such virtues are helpful in building the nation.

He further observed that Islamic madrasa classes are helpful in inculcating spiritual norishment to young ones adding that it helps them understand the teachings of the Quran.

“My administration has in the past helped build ECDE classes, this will be replicated equally we will assist in building  madrasa classes for our muslim children in the County,”Prof Kibwana promised.

The governor encouraged them to apply for competitive county jobs, saying  that all residents across the country stand equal opportunities including access to jobs.

He also said that his government will include members of the Muslim community in the County Economic Forum.

Devolution and public service Executive Committee Member Dr.Julius Kaloi who also graced the occasion, noted that Muslims have demonstrated faithfulness,respect and love always not only during the Holy month of Ramadan.

  • June 4, 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

Kibwana, Mutua in Handshake to cool off Past Political Differences

Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and his Machakos counterpart Dr Alfred Mutua have publicly reconciled their past political differences promising to work together.

The two who spoke during a funds drive  in aid of Shine Star Secondary school in Makindu said they will work together to develop the community calling on other leaders to join them.

Prof Kibwana and Dr Mutua worked for different political groupings in the last General

Elections forcing them to vigorously campaign against each other.

The Makueni governor who is also the chairman of Wiper party was at the forefront campaigning for Nasa in the region while Dr Mutua who is the Maendeleo Chap Chap leader worked for the ruling Jubilee Party.

It was Dr Mutua who twinkled first extending a public handshake to a willing Prof Kibwana during the event at Makindu sending the crowd into cheers.

“I want to ask Governor Kivutha Kibwana to forgive me for any wrongs I might have committed against him and again request him for a handshake as a sign of unity,” Dr Mutua said

The two governors shook hands with Dr Mutua asking for political forgiveness and vowed to forge a purposeful unity for the betterment of locals.

Prof  Kibwana said that he was in agreement with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka that there was no need for Ukambani leaders to engage in political fights adding that it was time to focus on development.

He further said that as the wiper chairman he had no intentions of blocking Dr Mutua from contesting the presidency in 2022

“As the chairman of Wiper, I am in agreement with our party leader who recently said that we don’t have to fight here at home. I know you are both hunting, we are not blocking anyone,” Prof Kibwana said.

Governor Mutua reiterated that his ambition to contest the presidency in 2022 was on course.

“After 10 years as a governor in Machakos, I will be seeking your support to become President come 2022, just like a student who after form four proceeds to the university,” Dr Mutua said.

  • May 5, 2018 in News

Kibwana meets top FAO officials

Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Monday hosted the Food Agricultural Organisation(FAO) officials where they deliberated on a number of possible partnership areas.

The delegation led by Dr. Mulat Demeke indicated that the organization is keen on supporting devolution with special focus on food,nutrition security and sustainable agriculture, governance and public participation.

Some of the possible partnership areas being looked at include small scale farm level irrigation where the agricultural organisation is interested in supporting both the national government and county level on policy development for environment and efficient cost.

FAO applauded Makueni’s public participation model hinting, the organization could support  its implementation   in the other counties.

Prof Kibwana also held bilateral talks with the Danish ambassador Mette Knudsen, Grundfos CEO Mr.Mads Nipper to discuss water solutions for Makueni County.

The Danish government in partnership with the county and the World Vision has funded several water points in Makueni  using AGTAP, a systemized automated teller machine.
The ambassador will on Tuesday tour Makueni county to inspect various projects.

Kibwana meets KPC chiefs over delayed oil spillage compensation

Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana on Monday hosted top officials from Kenya Pipeline Company(KPC)  and Thange Farmers Association representatives to deliberate on the delayed compensation following oil spillage on River Thange in 2016.

The meeting came as  a response to a letter dated October 05, 2018  addressed to the KPC Chairman Mr John Ngumi by the Thange Farmers Association to look into the challenges delaying the compensation.

In the letter the group raised concerns about delayed compensations, lack of supply of potable water for domestic use and loss of land use since 2015 among other issues.

The Association chairman Mr Sammy Muindi referring to the letter said that there were still pending compensation cases three years after the oil spill adding that their agricultural means of livelihoods were cut short by the damaging spillage.

He said: “Three years after the oil spill we are yet to be fully compensated. KPC promised to supply clean water for domestic use but for a month now we have gone without clean drinking water. We stopped all our agricultural activities,the victims are facing a serious economic crisis.”

Governor Kibwana who chaired the meeting noted that the matter falls within the energy sector which  is not a devolved function making it difficult for the county to expressly take action.

The governor however said that they were offering support to the affected citizens of Thange and pleaded with all stakeholders to move with speed and bring the issue to rest once and for all.

“Energy  is a national function and we cannot go beyond our mandate as a county. We however are giving support to our Thange citizens. My plea to you is that we need to finalise this issue once and for all so that we can move on,” Prof Kibwana stated.

The governor  further said that the Thange oil spill should not be politicised.

KPC chair John Nguma said the organization is taking the matter seriously and would act to ensure residents are supplied with clean water for domestic use.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior responding to the matter observed that all stakeholders involved in resolving the issues were performing poorly citing breakdown of communication as one of the major setbacks.

“We are all doing poorly in handling this matter while the people of Thange are suffering. What I see here is a breakdown of communication,” Mutula said.

He further urged for transparency in dealing with the issue.He called  for the reconstitution of the taskforce appointed to handle the spillage.

KPC Managing Director Joe Sang, in response to some of the issues raised by the Thange farmers said that they had used over Sh 31 million in Corporate Social Responsibility activities and over Sh 31 million to compensate 266 claimants.

He further promised that seven claims where discharge vouchers were signed and awaiting payment were going to be paid by the following week explaining that out of the total 4,267 claims received by KPC to date, 491 were fraudulent, 635 were pending due to incomplete information which was required by the insurance company for compensation 1,272 were rejected because the claimants were not residents of Thange.
  • October 15, 2018 in News

Kibwana, Lusaka tell youth to claim their space in the country’s development

Makueni governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Senate speaker Kenneth Lusaka have challenged the youth in the country to claim their space in the country’s development agenda and leadership.

The two spoke at the Kenya School of Government in an address to representatives of the youth from across the 47 counties during an inaugural Youth and Devolution symposium.

Prof Kibwana told the youth not to allow the country lose direction while watching from the periphery as they stood to lose the most.

“You must not allow your country to lose direction under your watch as you will be around much longer and will lose most. You have to be a people fired up to achieve a mission in nurturing the future,” Prof Kibwana told the symposium.

He said the youth should use their numerical strength to push for their agenda and shun the culture of tribalism, handouts and protests as the only way to be heard.

“Young people make almost 70 percent of the Kenyan population. With these numbers, they can work for change that favour them, either through the electoral process or through pushing for adequate budgetary allocation for their agenda in public participation forums,” he said.

Prof Kibwana said young people cannot decry lack of experience as those who started off the country after independence were under 30s without prior experience.

Mr Lusaka challenged the youth to be in the forefront in addressing tribal balkanisation and hail true Kenyan patriotism if they are to succeed in advancing their agenda and driving a positive change in the country’s leadership.

The governor and the speaker insisted on morality, ethical and spiritual values for the young people to steer a positive change capable of safeguarding the interests of the future generations.

Kibwana leads Campaigns for Municipal Charter

Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana today led campaigns to sensitize Makueni residents on the proposed charter for Wote Municipality.

Prof Kibwana said that under the new arrangement the municipality will be managed by a board headed by a municipal manager.

The governor said the board will comprise nine members whose appointment will be based on a number of laid down factors.

‘’The board shall exercise legislative authority by passing municipal by –laws that shall be approved by majority of the board members but with full public participation. It shall have powers over municipal assets and employ their staff in consultation with the municipal manager,’’Prof Kibwana said.

Prof Kibwana who spoke to members of the business community from Wote/Nziu,Kako/Waia,Ukia and Muvau/Kikumini wards during the event  said the municipality will help engage good governance and equity in distribution of resources.

He said the new arrangement will also be used to ensure social cohesion.

Prof Kibwana reported that  both transport,infrastructure,housing and urban development ministries have partnered with the World Bank and set aside funds to support 45 municipalities in Kenya,Makueni included.

‘’All the  county headquarters except for the  established cities of Nairobi and Mombasa are eligible to access this funding for the urban development grant and the urban institutional grant as long as the counties have met all the minimum conditions set out under the grant terms and conditions,”the governor said.

He further  said  that Sh 20 million will be disbursed in the first year,the same amount of money in the second year and Sh 10 more million in the third year for urban institutional grant.

He said under  the urban development grant,the first tranche of Sh 135 million shall be accessed based on the total population pegged at Sh 2,000 per person depending on population of an area.

‘’I therefore also implore upon you as stakeholders to consider and agree on the proposed charter, which will then be considered and approved by executive committee and forwarded to the county assembly for consideration and approval,”Prof Kibwana said.

Lands ECM Mr Joshua Wambua said that the municipality will provide efficient and accountable management of its affairs.

‘’It will as well verify whether public resources and authority are utilized or exercised as the case may be to its satisfaction’’ Mr Wambua said.

Kibwana in Talks with UN-Habitat over Upgrade Plans for County Towns

Makueni County has initiated talks with the UN-Habitat for a partnership in upgrading the county’s urban settlements.

In a meeting between Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and the UN-Habitat regional director for Africa Prof Naison Mutizwa-Mangiza at the United Nations headquarters in Nairobi on Friday the two explored different collaborative opportunities through which the partnership would be staged.

Prof Mutizwa and Prof Kibwana agreed that the two institutions would develop a joint framework to address issues of solid waste management, urban settlements upgrading and youth empowerment once a memorandum of understand on the partnership was developed.

Prof Mutizwa indicated that the UN-Habitat is committed to developing one million housing units in Kenya in the next five years, and that Makueni stood a good chance of benefiting from the scheme with the right collaborative framework.

“Our 2016-2036 urban agenda focusses on delivering new, affordable and adequate quality housing in urban places with slums upgrading a key priority. Makueni should take advantage of this,” he said.Prof. Kibwana said his government is conducting a town planning of 120 urban places across the county and will move with speed to develop a partnership agreement with UN-Habitat to upgrade several of them, especially the county capital, Wote.

He cited a stalled housing scheme in Wote, previously initiated by the ministry of public works and housing which he said if fully developed would significantly offset the housing shortages in the county capital.The governor said the County government is willing to adopt the stalled project if there was a proper agreement between his government and the national government.

He said the housing project has suffered extreme vandalism and cannibalism but could be completed and availed for use if the two levels ‎of government agreed o way forward.“A number of civil servants working in Makueni seek housing in Machakos and some even operate from Nairobi for lack of adequate decent housing in Wote.

We will seek to partner with UN-Habitat and the National government to complete the scheme and settle the housing challenge,” he said. Prof Kibwana added that his government will also seek a partnership with the UN body to complete formulation of its spatial plan, develop a youth empowerment one-stop shop and enhance revenue generation in urban places.

On her part, Mwau said the county is ready to work with the UN body to benefit from technical support in various aspects of the areas targeted by the proposed partnership. “We are very keen on this engagement and more so partnership in the area of waste disposal management system and production of solar energy,” she said.

A UN-Habitat delegation is scheduled to visit Makueni on a familiarization tour before finally prioritizing areas of partnership with the county government.

Kibwana in Talks with ICPAK for Financial Management Collaboration

Governor Kivutha Kibwana on Friday held talks with top management officers of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) who paid him a courtesy call at Wote.

The talks centered on possible areas of collaboration between the county government and the accountancy regulator with a view to strengthening financial management systems.

Among the identified areas of collaboration include accounting personnel capacity building, establishment of a CPA centre and KCA University satellite campus in Wote, own source revenue growth, financial risks management and training of SMEs, FSAs on financial growth.

Kibwana has pledged that the county government would make available five acres of land for establishment of the CPA centre and KCA University Campus in the 2019/20 budget cycle.

The ICPAK delegation was led by Chief Executive Officer Edwin Makori and the manager, Devolution and Branches Public Policy and Research Division Hillary Onami.