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GOVERNOR MUTULA INSPECTS KATHEKA KAI WATER PAN REHABILITATION

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Wednesday toured Kanthuni Sub-ward, Makueni, to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation of the Katheka Kai water pan, a key project set to transform water access in the area.

The 30,000m³ pan, now 95% complete, is a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and the Kenya Red Cross

Once fully operational, it will serve an estimated 3,000 residents and over 1,000 livestock, offering much-needed relief to the community.

The rehabilitation works have included extensive earthworks such as site and bush clearing, excavation of the pan, formation of a silt trap and the opening of 3,500 square meters of access roads to ensure communities can easily fetch water.

This intervention is part of the Kenya’s Drought Mitigation Programme, aimed at enhancing access to reliable water sources while building climate resilience for communities often affected by dry spells.

The governor noted that the project is a major step toward sustainable water security in Makueni, ensuring households and farmers can thrive even in the face of climate change.

Governor Mutula Inks Partnership Deal with Christian Aid

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Wednesday inked a working partnership with Christian Aid Kenya to enhance Climate Justice, Food Security, Health and Nutrition

The Christian Aid team, led by Country DirectorJanet Ngombalu, also visted Kaiti Kwa Kitungu the newly constructed sand dam to witness some of the innovative climate adaption actions the county is employing.

The signing was witnessed by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Executive Committee Member for Environment and Climate Change Dr Sonia Nzilani and Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza.

Governor Mutula inaugurates Water Board, warns Land cartels

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Thursday presided over the swearing-in of Makueni Rural Water Board members to manage all rural water schemes.
The board has been tasked with overseeing the running and management of all rural water service providers which are not managed by water companies.
Governor Mutula said good governance remains one of the biggest challenges to universal water access even where adequate water systems exist.
He said his administration is committed to ensuring all residents of Makueni have access to potable water not more than 2 kilometers from their homes.
Separately, the governor has pledged to crash all the cartels standing in the way of land ownership by making titling a difficult affair.
Speaking Thursday during the swearing-in of the Makueni County Physical and Land Use Liaison Committee, Governor Mutula said it is time to change how things are done to make validation of land ownership easy.
“Land cartels must fall! We can’t stick on the old ways of doing things while our people are suffering,” said the governor.
The functions of the committee include: Hearing and determining complaints and claims; Hearing appeals against decisions made by the planning authority; and advising the county executive on broad physical and Land Use planning policies.

Governor Mutula Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Business Hub in Mukuyuni

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Thursday 12th October, 2023 commissioned State-of-the-Art Mukuyuni Business Centre, done by Wote Municipality with support from World Bank.

The Business Centre is not merely a collection of stalls; it is a beacon of hope and opportunity. It stands as a testament to Governor Mutula’s commitment to sustainable development and a better future for all.

Features of the Business Hub include:

1. Solar-powered lighting

2. Lactation room

3. Cold room

4. 132 vendor stalls

5. Rainwater harvesting and waste management systems aimed at preserving the environment.

6. An aggregation centre that will empower the local community by providing job opportunities, nurturing entrepreneurship, and promoting local products.

GOVERNOR MUTULA INAUGURATES AD-HOC COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHMENT OF KEE-MBOONI MUNICIPALITY

Makueni has set plans in motion for creation of a third municipality in an endeavour to further devolve resources and services closer to mwananchi. 

On Wednesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr inaugurated an ad-hoc committee to consider whether the proposed municipality area meets threshold as spelled out in the Urban Areas and Cities Act. 

The proposed Kee-Mbooni Municipality area covers Kivani, Kikima, Kalawani, Tawa, Mbumbuni, Kalawa and kitundu crosscutting Kaiti and Mbooni sub-counties. 

Governor Mutula was flanked by Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officer Jackson Daudi.

GOVERNOR MUTULA IN PARTNERSHIP TALKS WITH HIVOS TO BOOST YOUTH ENTERPRISES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday hosted a high powered delegation from Hivos to explore partnership opportunities in support of youth-led social enterprises by establishing an enabling environment for their growth.Through a program dubbed Youth-led Economic empowerment Action Program (Y-LEAP), the partnership seeks to create economic and employment opportunities for 100,000 young people in digital and green economies between 2024 and 2028.The program is spearheaded by the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services and that of Energy.

GOVERNOR MUTULA IMPRESSES SENATE WITH BOLD EDUCATION MILESTONES IN MAKUENI.

The Senate Standing Committee on Education was all ears on Thursday as Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr took the spotlight, in explaining bold strides the County has made in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) and Vocational Technical Education.

Appearing before the committee at Parliament Buildings on Thursday, Governor Mutula expounded a picture of Makueni’s education landscape.

Mutula told the committee that the County has so far constructed 354 ECDE centres equipped to accommodate over 43,000 young learners; with each centre including modern infrastructure: two classrooms, an admin office, a store, ablution facilities and two 10,000-litre water tanks — a major step forward in early learning access and quality.

In the governor’s presentation, it was clear that the county’s efforts go beyond bricks and mortar. The Governor proudly reported that 957 ECDE teachers have been absorbed into permanent and pensionable terms, a move that drew praise from the Senate Committee Members for securing job stability and boosting education delivery.

On technical training, Governor Mutula reported that 61 Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) under his administration, are active across the county, enrolling close to 4,000 trainees. These institutions are giving Makueni youth a fighting chance in an evolving job market by equipping them with hands-on skills.

The Senator Betty Montet led Committee was quick to applaud the county’s efforts. Laikipia Senator John Kinyua hailed the strong partnerships that have made the projects possible, while Committee Vice Chairperson Prof. Margaret Kamar expressed her admiration for the county’s commitment to empowering youth through skills training. The session was attended by Senator Daniel Maanzo.

The Governor, who was accompanied by CECMS Elizabeth Muli (Education), Damaris Kavoi (Finance), Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution) and Chief Officer Irene Makau, urged the Senate committee to support timely and adequate funding for counties to sustain and expand these education gains.

“Education is the backbone of transformation in our county,” Mutula emphasized, calling for increased support from the national government to ensure no learner is left behind.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, HUDUMA KENYA CEO LEAD HUDUMA MASHINANI OUTREACH IN KATHONZWENI

A total of 3,008 residents of Kathonzweni Ward on Thursday accessed vital government services during the Huduma Mashinani outreach held at Mbuvo Market.

This brings to 66,000 the number of residents who have benefitted from the program across 24 wards, as the Government of Makueni County continues to devolve service delivery closer to the grassroots.

The exercise was graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Huduma Kenya Chief Executive Officer CPA Benjamin Chilumo, underscoring the strong partnership between the County Government of Makueni and Huduma Kenya in enhancing grassroots service delivery.

The two leaders committed to further strengthen the program through increased financial, material, and human resource allocation to ensure more residents benefit. They also noted that additional services will be introduced to complement the 23 services currently offered under the program.

Also present were CECM for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, and Kathonzweni Ward MCA Kennedy Maneno.

Governor Mutula hosts top leaders as Wote Diocese gets a bishop

The ceremony for the installation of R.T Rev. Paul Kariuki as the first Bishop of the newly created Wote diocese at Unoa grounds presided over by H.E Hubertus Van Megen, the Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya and South Sudan is currently underway.
The event is attended by thousands of Catholic faithfuls with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr hosting various top leaders among them: Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper party leader), Cecily Mbarire (Embu Governor), wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) , Julius Malombe (Kitui), Terry Mbaika( Devolution PS), Philomena Mwilu (Deputy Chief Justice), Eugene Wamalwa, a number of Deputy Governors, MPs among others.

GOVERNOR MUTULA HOSTS SWEDISH AMBASSADOR FOR BILATERAL TALKS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday welcomed the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, for a series of discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s office, focused on key areas of mutual interest such as the environment, technology and innovation, and agriculture.

Governor Kilonzo expressed the County Government’s willingness to engage in further bilateral discussions, particularly on climate change and technology sectors critical to Makueni’s development.

Ambassador Vicini praised the county’s efforts in youth empowerment during her visit to the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub and the Ajiry Center.

Ambassador Vicini commended Makueni County’s sustainable water management initiatives after visiting the Kwa Kitungu Sand Dam along the Kaiti River in Wote Municipality.

She later addressed residents of Mbooni near Kivale Forest, highlighting the importance of these environmental efforts.

The events were attended by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Commissioner Henry Wafula, CECMs, Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, and area MCA Felix Mateso, Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani), Eng. Joseph Muema (Mukaa) and Alexander Mulemba (Mbooni).