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INDIAN RESEARCH SCIENTIST PROF. RAJENDRAN JOINED GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ON TUESDAY AS HE HOSTED A TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA (NPI).

Indian research scientist Prof. Rajendran joined Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday as he hosted a team from the National Museums of Kenya (NPI). The meeting focused on finding ways to turn indigenous knowledge into practical innovations that can be marketed.

The visit comes after the completion of the indigenous knowledge documentation in Makueni County. It also sets the stage for the upcoming international investment conference, where key Kamba cultural assets will be showcased to potential investors.

Increased power connection to boost county business fortunes

Makueni electricity grid is expected to rise to 70% from the current 30% following a discussion to increase power connection to several institutions in the county.

In a discussion held on Thursday between Makueni County Governor Kivutha Kibwana, her deputy Adelina Mwau and a delegation from the energy and KPLC sectors led by Dr. Fredrick Kasomi, it was agreed that several institutions and facilities without power will be connected.

Facilities targeted for connection include health centres, County Technical Training Institutes, market centres, primary and secondary schools, street lighting, and boreholes of at least 10 Cubic Meter-capacity 

Densification of power supply across the county will stimulate a desired economic growth as well as create job opportunities by allowing more day-and-night time stretches to conduct businesses.

The teams agreed to complete data mapping, costing and designs within a period of one month.

In PICTURES: A 3D architectural impression of the proposed Mukuyuni modern mixed use market set to accommodate over 150 traders in the town.

The proposed market, to be implemented by Wote Municipality, will be funded by the World Bank through the Kenya Urban Support Programme. 
 
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday received the proposed market design for review during a series of other development meetings at the Council of Governors offices in Nairobi.
 
 
The market design has provision for two floors, a cold room, an hybrid solar system, stalls and shops, a drive-through for road users as well as solid waste management. It will also have solar lighting and a 30,000-liters rain water harvesting tank.
 

Improving service delivery

All Makueni county staff have committed to performance contracting for the 2019/20 financial year in a bid to improve productivity in their service.

The county government is now rolling out the full performance management process for the second year running, a process that began in 2018/19 financial year.

This year, the PC has seen chairpersons and chief executive officers of boards of the County’s semi-autonomous agencies like the Sand Authority, the Climate Change Board and the Makueni Fruit Processing Authority join the process.

Tetheka Fund also joined signing of the PC independently, a move that is expected to improve the way it delivers its services.

Kibwana, while presiding over the ceremony on Friday at ATC Kwakathoka, said that he, together with his deputy Adelina Mwau, will accord their total support to the departments to achieve their targets.

“Performance management is a matter we are taking seriously. The DG and I will provide the necessary support to all the departments to ensure it is successful,” said Kibwana.

The process which began with the senior county officials is expected to cascade downwards to include all staff by the end of this month.

  • July 12, 2019 in News

IMPROVING ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Wednesday received a project handover certificate following the successful implementation of a healthcare partnership between the Government of Makueni County and ENI Kenya. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024, substantial progress has been made in strengthening critical components of maternal, newborn, and emergency healthcare services across multiple levels of care, including Kambimawe Dispensary, the Blood Satellite Unit, and Makueni County Referral Hospital. The partnership also supported extensive training and capacity-building initiatives for healthcare workers.

As a result, prematurity-related deaths at the Makueni County Referral Hospital have significantly reduced following improvements in neonatal care.

The Governor thanked ENI Kenya for its continued support, while ENI Kenya Managing Director Daniela Morra commended the county government for its transparency and successful implementation of the project.

During the handover ceremony held in Nairobi, discussions focused on strengthening future collaborations, particularly in advancing pediatric healthcare and enhancing animal feed production initiatives targeting farmer groups within the county.

ICT and Development

10,000 Makueni County residents are set to be empowered with ICT skills by global technology giant, Google.

The Makueni beneficiaries are part of 10 million people Google is equipping with relevant ICT skills in Africa in the next three years.

This plan was revealed on Friday by the country director of Google during a ceremony to commission the training which Google will undertake in collaboration with Makueni County government.

“The 10, 000 people set to be equipped with various ICT skills include the 1,500 people who have already studied basic computer skills under the county government’s Tusomeei Computer Nduani programme,” deputy Govenor Adelina Mwau said while welcoming Google.

Governor Kivutha Kibwana thanked Google for choosing Makueni as the first county where the program will start.

“The online space creates tremendous job opportunities which can be tapped to address youth unemployment. We shall work with Google to make Makueni a model county on ICT enabled job opportunities”, Kibwana said.

I get treated in our Local Public Hospitals when unwell: Kibwana

Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana has revealed he has always sought treatment from public hospitals within the county due to quality services provided by various local health institutions.

Unlike his colleagues known for seeking treatment abroad Prof Kibwana said he at one point went through a successful slight operation from the Makueni Level 4 hospital, saying improved health services in various public health facilities in the county has made local institutions preferable.

“I get treated in our hospitals here.When I fall sick I go to the Level Four hospital and when I get unwell when in Nairobi I go to hospitals there.

Many of our staff also go to our public hospitals here in Makueni despite having enrolled in various medical schemes. It shows we have confidence in our institutions,”Prof Kibwana said.

The governor who was speaking during the Health Workers Excellence Awards Ceremony held at Kwa Kathoka to honour successful employees of the county’s department of health said Makueni medical staff had generally performed well in the implementation of programs under their mandate.

“Even though we are recognizing people here who made it.There are many others who are not here but who also contributed to this success,”Prof Kibwana noted.

He singled out the implementation the Universal Health Care program saying it had propelled the county to higher levels nationally.

“I am really very happy to join you this morning as we celebrate the achievement of various health department staff. Indeed you have made Makueni proud,”the governor said.

He said the successful Universal Health Care program was initiated by the leadership of the department and congratulated them for coming up with a largely successful idea.

Prof Kibwana said he was keen on major improvements in the local healthcare systems for the benefit of the people before his retirement as governor.

He also urged the department to ensure revenue obtained through charges levied on NHIF card holders was collected and used to support infrastructural development in various hospitals.

‘I CAN FINALLY SEE HOPE’, ELDERLY WOMAN PRAISES ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED CARE

A 70-year-old resident of Kitaingo, Grace Wambua, is overjoyed after receiving medical attention following years of struggling with an eye condition.

Grace, who has been diagnosed with cataracts and is scheduled to undergo eye surgery, could not hide her excitement after meeting Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili at Mukaa Comprehensive School in Kilome, where a free medical camp took place.

Speaking during the event, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to access specialized treatment and commended Governor Mutula for fostering partnerships that bring essential services closer to the people.