News

Governor Mutula Meets ICT PS, roots for ease network connectivity

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior on Monday met ICT and Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui for a discussion on possible areas of collaboration to enhance connectivity and innovation in Makueni.

Key highlights of the meeting include

• Konza Technopolis Data Centre to host the county data to ensure security

• Establishment of a number of village digital hubs by June

• Upgrading of the current 14 Community ICT centres

• Support in automation of key government services

• Implementation of Kibwezi,Kathonzweni and Mbooni County Connectivity Projects

• Wote Technical Training institute to receive a donation of at least 100 computers

The department of ICT was tasked with identifying and mapping of two hotspot centers, to be operationalized by June this year.

Governor Mutula leads swearing of Emali-Sultan Hamud Municipality Board

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Tuesday witnessed the swearing-in of Emali-Sultan Hamud municipality board members, the second municipality in the county besides Wote.

Mutula who spearheaded establishment of the municipality after taking office in August last year termed Emali as the county’s biggest revenue earner from its strategic location along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway and the gateway to Tanzania through the Loitokitok border.

He said his administration is working on promoting Emali as Makueni’s economic hub while Wote town remains as the administrative capital. The municipality has already been approved for Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP) to improve basic infrastructure.

The board members are:

1. Anne Nduku Muthusi

2. Charles Mutua Musau

3. Dominic Mbevi Matheka

4. Arch. Stanley Mwania Kyalo

5. Anderson Masila Matheka

6. Mary Nduku Muthama

7. Dr. Sonnia Nzilani Musyoka (CEC- Lands and Urban Planning)

8. Jackson Charo Daudi (Chief Officer Lands and Urban Planning)

GOVERNOR MUTULA LEADS PUSH FOR CORRUPTION-FREE MAKUENI

Makueni is making strategic strides towards entrenching its name as the least corrupt county in Kenya, anchored on high levels of transparency and accountability.

On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted a delegation of top-ranking EACC officials led by Commissioner Alfred Mshimba, alongside representatives from GIZ led by Judy Oduma, for discussions focused on strengthening corruption prevention and enhancing performance management.

At the center of the agenda was the establishment of a County Corruption Prevention Committee, in line with guidelines issued by the EACC in 2023.

The committee will, among other responsibilities, develop a framework to mainstream corruption prevention in public service, reduce the prevalence of corruption, enhance transparency and accountability, and build a positive organizational culture.

Governor Mutula lauded the EACC–GIZ partnership, which emphasizes corruption prevention through systematic approaches as opposed to prosecution-only mechanisms.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES STATE-OF-THE-ART HORTICULTURAL AGGREGATION CENTER AND PACKHOUSE IN WOTE.

Makueni County has taken a monumental step towards transforming its agricultural sector with the official launch of an Horticultural Aggregation Center and Packhouse by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

The facility is set to enhance the processing, packaging and marketing of mangoes for both export and local markets.

Strategically located near the Wote Police Station, the facility is set to revolutionize the mango value-chain in the county and serve as a central collection point for mangoes from local farmers, reducing post-harvest losses. It will also provide exporters with direct access to high-quality produce.

Export mangoes will fetch Ksh. 12 per piece, while mangoes for the local market will attract between Ksh. 15 and Ksh. 19 per kilo, ensuring fair prices for farmers.

Farmers have been advised to notify their ward agriculture officers or ward administrators when their mangoes are ready for harvesting. This initiative will facilitate seamless linkage with buyers, maximizing profits for farmers.

The aggregation center is equipped to handle large quantities of mangoes, ensuring efficient sorting, grading and packaging for local and international markets.

The initiative is expected to boost incomes for farmers by providing a direct link to exporters, who previously faced logistical challenges in sourcing quality produce from the region.

For any enquiries, please contact Mr. William Mwangi the agriculture officer in charge through 0756395050.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES ONE-STOP DIGITAL LAND SERVICES SYSTEM

Makueni County has gone digital in its land services bringing all land related services under one digital roof—Makueni Ardhi System— accessible from any part of the globe at the click of a button.

The self-service portal launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday is modelled after the national government’s Ardhisasa, and guarantees users 24/7 convenient access of land services such as:

• Payment of property rates and rent,

• Plot searches,

• Application of construction permits, clearance certificates and other development permissions,

• Property owners are provided with flexible payment options where they are able to make partial payments on property rent and rates.

• The system is configured to give users feedback through SMSs and email and promoting paperless transactions.

The system has onboarded 32,332 plots, from 27,000 plots before development of Ardhi Makueni. From this number, Makueni targets to raise Ksh 170 million in Own Source Revenue from land-based revenue streams in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

The system while increasing efficiency in land resources management will weed out malpractices such public land grabbing and or encroachment.

Log onto https://lims.makueni.go.ke to access these digital services.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MULIMA WATER TREATMENT PROJECT AND COMMISSIONS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE IN MBOONI

In a months time, residents of Mbooni, Tulimani and Kisau/Kiteta Wards in Mbooni Sub-county will have access to quality treated water from Mulima dam.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday launched the treatment works project, which on completion will produce 2,400 cubic meters of treated water per day.

To increase the dam’s capacity, Governor Mutula said his government has budgeted Shs 40M in the 2024/25 Financial Year for further desilting and distribution.

During his development tour of Mbooni and Kisau Kiteta Wards, Governor Mutula also commissioned Tawa Sub-county Hospital Digital X-Ray machine, Ngwani drift and inspected Kisauni earthdam.

He was accompanied by County Assembly Majority Leader Eng. Kisungi wa Katete, MCAs Alexander Mulemba (Mbooni), Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani) and Darius Mainga of Kisau/Kiteta and a number of Executive Committee Members.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BOOST CLEAN WATER ACCESS IN WOTE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Tanathi Water Works Development Agency CEO Fidelis Kyengo, on Wednesday launched critical infrastructure works aimed at improving water supply for Wote Town and its environs.

The projects, funded by Tanathi through a long-standing partnership with the county government, include:

• Equipping a 30,000-liter-per-hour borehole at Mwaani and connecting it to a 12.5 KW solar power system;

• Solarizing the Kamunyolo community water supply system with a 10 KW solar installation;

• Installing an 88 KW solar power system for booster pumping to the Makueni Boys distribution tanks;

• Construction and rehabilitation of 13.5 km distribution pipeline;

• Supply and installation of bulk water meters.

The Mwaani borehole will inject an extra 30,000 litres per hour into the existing water supply network, while the Kamunyolo project will increase daily pumping hours from just 45 minutes to 7 hours.

Governor Mutula noted that his administration is working round the clock to ensure sustainable and adequate clean water supply for Wote Town, to meet the demands of its rapidly growing urban population and to boost investor confidence.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES EYE SURGERY CAMP AT MAKUENI REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Over 300 residents of Makueni will have their eyesight restored through surgery courtesy of the Rotary Club of Nairobi , Rotary Club of Machakos and Government of Makueni County .

A three-day screening and treatment camp for cataracts and other ophthalmic ailments was launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Rotary Club of Nairobi President Susan Murabana at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, Monday, where hundreds turned up for check up.

Governor Mutula said his administration will invest in ophthalmic equipment to combat preventable blindness and create HOPE for more residents.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES DIGITAL SOIL SAMPLING IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday launched a digital soil sampling exercise at Kwa Kathoka, set to cover all 30 wards in Makueni County.

The initiative, led by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) in partnership with the county government through Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) aims to assess soil fertility across the county.

Karlo Director for Environment and Natural Resources Management Dr. David Kamau, highlighted that the program was prompted by soil fertility challenges in the country.

This exercise is part of a national digital soil mapping program designed to create a soil information system that will guide farmers on soil fertility management.

Speaking during the programme launch, Governor Mutula urged farmers to cooperate with KALRO officers during the exercise, emphasizing that the findings will support better crop growth, food production and nutrition security in Makueni.

“The soil analysis will help determine nutrient levels and guide farmers on proper fertilizer application”, stated Mutula.

The exercise, expected to last three months, will involve 120 young local agripreneurs—four from each ward—who will collect soil samples, create awareness and educate farmers on the importance of soil testing.

The launch was attended by Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua, Devolution CECM Nicholas Nzioka, Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza (Livestock) and Dr. Victoria Kyalo (Agriculture), among other officials.

IVIANI FARM PUTS MAKUENI ON THE MAP WITH EXPORT-QUALITY FRUIT CRISPS

Iviani farm, located deep at Kwa Kathoka village, has emerged as an example of how cottage industries are propelling Makueni County’s economy to new heights.

This farm specializes in the production of crunchy dried mango, banana, and pixie crisps which find their market in Europe, Canada, and United States as well as the Kenyan market. In a season, the farm processes up to 150 metric tons of raw mango into these sought-after munchies.

The farm, founded by Faith Mumo and Benjamin Munyao, who are still in their youth, has become a key player in supporting the county government’s efforts to stabilize mango prices, provide a reliable market for local farmers, and reduce post-harvest losses.

On Wednesday, during a visit to the farm, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, lauded the initiative for its impact on the local economy. Governor Mutula pledged his commitment to supporting youth-led start-ups through the Makueni County Empowerment Fund, to build a vibrant private sector driven by young entrepreneurs.

Faith also serves as the CEO of BEFA FEEDS—a local livestock feed manufacturing company based at Kwa Kathoka Market Centre. BEFA FEEDS provides affordable, high-quality animal feeds to farmers in the region, further strengthening the agricultural value chain. The two ventures have created hundreds of job opportunities to locals both directly and indirectly.