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GOVERNOR MUTULA DISTRIBUTES 72 WATER TANKS TO BOOST WATER ACCESS IN NZAUI/KILILI/KALAMBA WARD

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday distributed 72 water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,000 litres, to support the last mile water connectivity program in Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba Ward.

The tanks will be allocated to 23 water schemes to enhance the county’s water distribution agenda, one of Governor Mutula’s top priorities, ensuring up to 90 percent water coverage in the ward.

The targeted schemes include: Isololo, Ng’oi, Kweleli, Kwa Wambua, Kwa Moto, Mandela, Kalima Kalato, Mulenyu, Mbilani, Kawala, Kilinga, Kisinzi, Mwanyani, Ithimani, Yanthooko, Malooni Demonstration Centre, Nduumonithi, Wikwatyo Ikangavya, Kyamusoi, Kikui, Kwa Mbiti, and Kaiani.

Governor Mutula also announced that a borehole will be drilled within the Matiliku Sub-county Hospital compound using the county’s drilling rig to guarantee a reliable water supply to the health facility.

The 72 tanks will ensure 15,000 residents of the ward have access to clean and reliable water.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DIRECTS WSPS TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY TO END NON REVENUE WATER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called on Water Service Providers in Makueni to invest in technology to curb the menace of unaccounted water, leading to huge losses and low water supply capacity.

Speaking during a meeting with newly installed Boards of Directors for three WSPs in Kilome, Governor Mutula said the county government will invest in technology such as smart meters, bulk water meters, high-density polyethylene pipes and leakage detectors to reduce non revenue water.

KIBWASCO, one of the leading water supplies company in Kibwezi region has often recorded non revenue water of 63 percent, causing avoidable water shortages in the area.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, CS WATER HOLD TALKS ON WATER DEVELOPMENT IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday held a round table discussion with Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muuga at Maji House on collaborations to improve provision of clean water in Makueni. 

Key areas of discussion centered on getting a permanent solution for Nolturesh water supply; collaborations for enhanced last mile water connectivity; enhancing the efficiency and capacity of Bulk Water Sevice Providers to reduce wastage through non revenue water. 

The CS pledged to fastrack the completion of key national government water projects such as Yikitaa Irrigation Scheme in Masongaleni, Mukuyu in Kilome, Kiia Nzou in Kaiti, Kwa Kivai Irrigation Scheme, Kithuki Irrigation Scheme and Mbavani scheme among others.  

Governor Mutula also made an appeal to the CS for equiping of the Makueni Dam Construction Unit through machinery from Thwake dam project after completion of phase one of the project.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CONDOLES WITH FAMILIES OF MUATINENI DROWNING ACCIDENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Monday condoled with families who lost their loved ones through drowning while attempting to cross Muatineni River aboard a truck.

At Sultan Hamud Sub-county Hospital where he met the bereaved families, Governor Mutula said the accident was a tragedy that could have been avoided if the bridge was constructed to standard, and if people were patient to allow the water level to subside.

As of Monday, 9 am, 14 people had been rescued, 10 bodies recovered while four people were still missing. Search for the missing persons is still ongoing downstream led by a multi-agency team of emergency officers.

The County government has waived postmortem fees for the dead and will also support the families purchase coffins so as to lessen the financial burden associated with burial.

Governor Mutula said the county government will train more local volunteers on safety and rescue so as to avert any further loss of life in such eventualities.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS BOREHOLE IN WOTE

August 20, 2024

The Kenya Red Cross Society is set to launch a new partnership with the County Government of Makueni for a comprehensive project designed to improve the living standards of local residents. The initiative will address critical areas including health, water, sanitation (WASH) and food security.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society during a briefing with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. when he paid a courtesy call on him at his Wote office on Tuesday.

Dr. Idris observed that, despite a long-standing collaboration with the Makueni County Government, there are still critical gaps that need addressing. He noted that it has been long since the Red Cross undertook a major project in Makueni and expressed a strong commitment to reverse the trend.

Dr. Idris also pointed out concerns about the inadequate trauma care in local hospitals and offered to assist the County Government in building the capacity of medical personnel to better manage trauma cases.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed this proposal, emphasizing its timeliness, particularly in light of the frequent road accidents on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway that have significantly impacted Makueni.

Later on, Governor Kilonzo, alongside Dr. Idris, commissioned a borehole rehabilitated by the County Government at the Red Cross offices in Wote. The borehole, which has a capacity of 3,000 litres per hour, will provide a reliable source of clean water for the Red Cross premises and nearby government offices, enhancing water accessibility for the local community.

The event was also attended by Devolution CECM, Japheth Mang’oka and Water Chief Officer, Eng. Julius Makau.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CHAMPIONS SOCIAL INCLUSION IN MAKUENI’S DEVELOPMENT

As part of his vision for inclusive development in Makueni, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has placed social inclusion at the forefront of his administration’s priorities.

To ensure no one is left behind, the county government has prioritized mainstreaming persons living with disabilities into its overall development agenda. As part of this commitment, over 840 residents with disabilities have received state-of-the-art wheelchairs in the 2024/2025 Financial Year to enhance their mobility and independence.

440 of these wheelchairs were procured through the ward-based budget. In a complementary effort, the county partnered with Hope Mobility Kenya to provide an additional 400 wheelchairs, distributed in November 2024, reaching even more beneficiaries.

On Thursday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and Executive Committee Member in-charge of Gender Eng. Sebastian Kyoni issued wheel chairs for Nguu/Masumba and Ivingoni/Nzambani wards on the sidelines of an Ujuzi Teke Teke tools issuance exercise.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CHAIRS STAKEHOLDERS MEETING TO PLAN NGAI NDETHYA SETTLEMENT

Makueni County, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has initiated plans to draw a Land Management Plan for Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve, geared towards excising 13,000 hectares for human settlement and conservancies.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday chaired a consultative forum in his office, which was attended by KWS Wildlife and Community Service Director Prof. Charles Musyoki, several conservancy leaders, and executive committee members among other stakeholders.

The forum aimed to set the stage for the development of a Land Use and Management Plan for the 21,000-hectare Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve. This plan would allow the county government to excise 13,000 hectares off the protected area and pave way for issuance of title deeds.

To spearhead the process, a multi-sectoral team has been established and tasked with drafting the management plan within six months.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CALLS FOR UNIFIED APPROACH TO NAVCDP IMPLEMENTATION IN MAKUENI

May 17, 2024

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture and Livestock to embrace a unified governmental approach in implementing the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) for sustainable development in Makueni.

Governor Mutula said adopting a cohesive approach would facilitate integration and bolster capacity, thus ensuring that the project’s intended impact is effectively felt by grassroots citizens.

NAVCDP, a five-year initiative, aims to boost market participation and value addition within the mango, dairy, poultry, tomato, and apiculture value chains across all 30 wards in the county.

The County Assembly has also undergone sensitization sessions to ensure smooth implementation. These forums serve as a precursor for the project’s introduction into the communities scheduled for next week.

The governor spoke on Friday during the Cabinet sensitization meeting on NAVCDP, organized by the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the County Project Coordination Unit.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CALLS FOR RURAL WATER REFORMS AFTER RECEIVING GOVERNANCE SURVEY

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for urgent reforms in rural water management after a new survey revealed widespread inefficiencies in Makueni County’s rural water schemes.

The survey, conducted by Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency (EDCA) and presented to the governor on Wednesday, assessed the effectiveness of rural water governance structures in ensuring reliable water supply. The survey, which began in November 2024, found that despite strong stakeholder engagement, 90% of rural water projects are poorly managed, leading to frequent failures and denying communities access to safe water—with women and children bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Key findings indicate that mismanagement stems from lack of financial and technical expertise among local water committees.

To address these challenges, the report recommends:

Amending the Makueni Water Policy (2019) to formally institutionalize rural water governance; Automating water points and digitizing billing systems to reduce corruption; and introducing ATM-based payments to improve revenue collection and accountability.

Governor Mutula described effective water governance as the cornerstone of sustainable development, emphasizing the need for research-backed policies and partnerships with organizations like EDCA.

Governor Mutula calls for greater participation of youth in entrepreneurship

H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Monday graced the Makueni youth dialogue and mentorship event that brought together 15 youths per ward from all over the county.
 
 
The governor used the forum to urge for youth participation in economic affairs through entrepreneurship.
He said the government was keen in creating a conducive environment that will unlock the potential for the County’s youth, to enable them to fully participate in development.
The County had also engaged different sector leads and youths who have excelled in various business ventures to speak during the forum.