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LEADERS, TRADERS HOLD PRAYERS AS WOTE MARKET CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Leaders from the County Government of Makueni County on Monday joined traders at the temporary Wote market site for prayers ahead of the construction of the Wote Modern Market.

The session was led by CECM for ICT, Education and Internship Japheth Mang’oka and CECM for Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy Peter Mumo. It was held at the relocation site where traders have been moved to pave the way for the project, a joint initiative of the county and national governments.

Speaking at the event, Mumo urged traders to remain calm and patient during the construction period, saying the government would work to minimize disruption to businesses and complete the project within the set timeline.

Mang’oka called for cooperation from traders to ensure smooth implementation of the project, noting that electricity and security have been provided at the temporary site to support business operations. He officially declared the relocation site open, allowing traders to resume operations as construction begins.

Also present were Wote Nziu Ward MCA Felix Mateso, Chief Officer for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Jossylyn Mutua, and Chief Officer for Devolution, Public Participation, County Administration and Special Programs Daniel Ndolo, alongside other county officials.

Traders welcomed the relocation and thanked Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the county administration for facilitating the transition, expressing optimism that the modern market will boost trade in Wote town.

LEADERS DECRY THANGE OIL SPILL NEGLECT, WARN AGAINST KPC SALE

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has renewed calls for justice for residents affected by the 2015 Thange oil spill, describing it as a long-standing injustice that continues to harm livelihoods and the environment.

After visiting Thange with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the governor faulted state agencies for mishandling the cleanup . He questioned earlier NEMA findings that declared local water sources safe, saying the oil effect was still active.

Mutula criticized the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) for slow compensation despite posting a KSh 10 billion profit in the 2023/2024 financial year.

He also urged the national government to disclose all liabilities tied to KPC before proceeding with its planned privatization.

Kalonzo backed the governor’s concerns, warning that the proposed sale of KPC lacked transparency and risked the loss of a profitable public asset and called upon community members to unite and pursue the issue from a common front.

The Thange oil spill occured in May 2015, contaminating farmland and the Thange River.

LAUNCH OF FRUIT FLY TRAPS TO INCREASE MANGO PRODUCTION

Mango farmers across Makueni County will reap big from a timely intervention as over 15,000 fruit fly traps, donated by the European Union, are set to be distributed to combat the destructive pest.

The consignment, received last week by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, was provided through TradeMark Africa and the East Africa Marketing Development Authority.

The traps use pheromones to lure fruit flies into a chamber lined with biopesticide, killing them instantly. Unlike heavy pesticide use that harms both people and the environment, these traps offer a safe and sustainable solution.

Speaking during the Tuesday launch at Kikumini/Muvau Ward, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli noted that fruit flies have long reduced mango yields and farmer incomes.

She said the county is determined to protect farmers’ produce and boost food security.

In a joint statement, TradeMark Africa Country Director Lillian Mwai and Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo told farmers that the fruit fly trap distribution is part of a wider pest management program designed to strengthen horticulture value chains and raise farmers’ incomes.

The traps, coming at the critical mango management season, promise healthier fruits, bigger harvests and stronger access to premium markets for farmers.

The event was attended by area MCA Elizabeth Kawembe, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo and EAMDA CEO Eunice Ngina among others.

Launch of County Statistical Abstract 2022 and Inaugural Ward Statistical Profiles

Makueni County will from now henceforth use the ward as its basic development planning and implementation unit, governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has said.
Speaking during the launch of County Statistical Abstract 2022 and inaugural Ward Statistical Profiles in Wote, Thursday, governor Mutula said this move will accelerate development at the local level and contribute to county sustainable development and transformation.
In previous years, the county allocated Sh 33 Million annually to each ward for ward specific development as suggested by the people through public participation, but this has not achieved socio-economic parity according to governor Mutula Jnr.
To achieve this parity, the governor said his administration will formulate a resource allocation criterion similar to that used by the Commission on Revenue Allocation to promote equity and address the unique needs of each ward.
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LAST MILE WATER CONNECTIONS TRANSFORM LIVES IN MAKUENI’S RURAL HOUSEHOLDS

Waking up at 3 am to queue for a spot to fetch water from the available distant water points has for long been a way of life for many residents in Makueni. Donkeys carrying heavy loads of water jerricans has been a common feature one can’t miss even in Wote town, the county’s capital.

Water vendors have thrived, often charging exorbitant prices for a 20-litre jerrican of water, especially during the dry season when many of the rivers have run dry.  In some parts of the county, a 20-litre jerrican goes for Shs 50 during the dry season.

To remedy this situation, Makueni’s Department of Water and Sanitation has crafted an ambitious water development plan, extending water connections from sources to households, known as the “last mile” connections.

One such area benefiting from these connections is Nthangu location, where residents have experienced real transformation. Pastor Thomas Wambua, a resident with a connection in his compound explains that his family can now engage in productive farming, unlike before, where he had to spend Shs 1,000 weekly to pump water from Kamunyii stream using a petrol-powered pump. His church has also registered a higher turn up on Sundays.

The County Government constructed a sand dam and underground sump at the confluence of Kaiti and Kamunyii rivers and installed a mega solar power system to distribute water to more than 10,000 residents and four schools in Kiatine and Nthangu villages. 100 households have obtained last-mile connections by paying a small fee, Pastor Wambua among them.

In Mavindini Ward, Burnice Mutiso is optimistic that completion of Ngosini Concrete Dam will transform her life. “When this dam fills up, I intent to venture into horticultural farming full time. This area is highly productive, but water has been the biggest challenge,” she says. Burnice hawks food to workers at the dam construction site. The dam borders her family land.

The department has prioritized last-mile connections as a solution to the long distances people walk to the nearest water point.

This will be achieved through investment in a main centralized water infrastructure project in each ward (One Ward, One Main Water project); and the use of digital metering and payment in the 30 water projects.  

Further, the water supply expansion initiative will involve desilting, expanding and rehabilitation of earth dams; construction of sand dams with sumps; drilling and equipping of boreholes, construction and/ or extension of 160 Kms of pipeline with water kiosks.

In the Financial Year 2024/25, the Department of Water and Sanitation plans to connect at least 1,000 households per ward to clean and safe water by implementing the last mile water infrastructure programme.

This initiative is expected to increase the proportion of rural households accessing piped water from 30% to 50% and urban households from 7,939 in 2022 to 10,920 in 2025.

Currently the department is undertaking massive investments along River Athi to draw, treat and supply water from the river. These include Athi Kalawa water project, Athi Tunguni Water Project, Athi Mavindini Water project.

LAND SUCCESSION EXERCISE HELD IN MAKINDU

The ongoing land succession exercise organised by the Office of the County Attorney was on Friday held at Makindu Ward.

The exercise aims at assisting residents in resolving inheritance and property ownership matters.

County legal teams provided free legal advice to families seeking to process succession documents, to help them secure rightful land ownership and reduce family disputes related to inheritance.

Makindu MCA,Steve Kilonzo and Kikumbulyu South MCA Jades Kalunda, lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for bringing essential legal services closer to the people.

LAMU COUNTY TEAM BENCHMARKS PROJECT MONITORING TRACKING SYSTEM IN MAKUENI

A delegation from Lamu County has begun a two-day benchmarking visit to Makueni County to study the Project Monitoring and Tracking System (PMTS), a digital platform developed by Makueni’s Information Technology team.

Led by Lamu’s Chief Officer for ICT, E-Government, and Citizen Participation, Ali Ahmed Muhdhar, the team aims to learn how the PMTS enhances project oversight and improves service delivery through real-time data tracking.

Welcoming the delegation, Makueni’s CECM for ICT, Education, and Internship, Elizabeth Muli, emphasized the importance of inter-county collaboration in promoting accountability and improving service delivery. She highlighted how the PMTS has transformed Makueni’s project management by ensuring real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and better resource utilization.

Muhdhar commended Makueni’s innovations, noting that Lamu plans to adopt similar solutions to strengthen its project management processes. He added that digital platforms like PMTS are essential for enhancing transparency, improving service delivery, and ensuring that development projects meet the needs of citizens.

KYONI LEADS MWANYANI COMMUNITY IN GREENING MAKUENI CHILD RESCUE CENTRE

Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, on Saturday led the Mwanyani community of Emali-Mulala Ward in a greening exercise at the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre.

The exercise was aimed at establishing a child-friendly, environmentally sustainable and conducive environment that supports the healing and well-being of children hosted at the centre.

A total of 300 seedlings comprising ornamental, indigenous and fruit trees were planted. The fruit trees will play a key role in improving nutrition for the children.

The centre, which only awaits gazettement, will serve as a street children rescue and rehabilitation facility.

The exercise was also championed by ChildFund, Dedicated Children Agency, and Eco Green Initiative.

KYISA ROUND UP DAY 1

Makueni has picked crucial points on day 1 of action to stay in pole position of qualifying for next rounds in the Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games staged in Kilifi County.

In men football, Makueni picked two points after two draws with Wajir and Kajiado. The men next meet Embu in a must win match on Wednesday to advance. Our girls also drew a point in a goalless draw against Siaya in a Round Robin pool.

In Men Basketball, Makueni thrashed hosts Kilifi 52-31 in a thrilling encounter which displayed class and raw talent.

This exposure is part of a wider vision by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr to change the sports landscape in Makueni by nurturing raw talents to international standards.

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