News

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.

Governor Mutula launches agrivoltaic research site in Kibwezi for renewable energy while empowering local farmers

A partnership between Makueni and the Kasser Joint Institute for Food, Water, and Energy Security, a partnership of Jewish National Fund – USA, the University of Arizona and the Arava Valley in Israel has formally marked a start of an Agrivoltaic research site at St.Patrick’s Ngomano Primary School, Lower Masimbani- Kibwezi.

This solar-garden project once complete will provide a co-development in Masimbani region with the use of the same area of land for both solar power and empowering the local farmers through agriculture.

During the inauguration ceremony whose climax foresaw signing of an MOU with the community, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr hailed the idea of growing crops under solar PV panels as a way of addressing food security in the region that receives unreliable rainfall.

Eitan Hatzor who represented the Israel ambassador during the launch and Tania Pons, from Kasser Joint Institute termed the establishment of the new site in Makueni as a turning-point for building capacity for food, water and energy for the local community.

Governor Mutula Lauds Thwake dam Construction Progress

H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior has commended the progress made in Thwake Dam construction, which stands at 74 percent to date.

During a tour of the project site in the company of County Commissioner Beverly Opwora on Tuesday, Governor Mutula Jnr expressed confidence that Phase One of the project will be ready for commissioning next year as envisioned by the national Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

H.E Mutula Jnr termed the project as one of the answers to the perpetual water and food stress bedeviling Makueni County. He said the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has given him its commitment for supply of water to Kalawa Ward and Wote town.

The governor also challenged the national government to start planning for the next phases of the project, which include a 20MW hydropower plant, water supply and sanitation as well as the irrigation component.

To ensure skills transfer, the governor put up a request to the contractor for capacity building of the county government’s water personnel in mega water dams construction to scale up their prowess.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUDS MAKUENI’S YOUNG INDUSTRIALISTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has commended Makueni’s budding Industrialists, saying they present the county an opportunity for accelerated economic growth.

He spoke on Tuesday during the commissioning of a new animal feeds processing factory at Kwa Kathoka owned by BEFA FEEDS, a local feeds processing company.

The company is owned by young people, who have taken feeds processing to another level, taking on the industrial giants.

BEFA FEEDS Chief Executive Officer Faith Mumo said the company was borne in 2022 as a solution to the high cost of feeds, some of which were of low quality, orchestrating huge losses to farmers.

The company produces all livestock feeds with raw materials sourced from locals.

The company is credited for promoting fish farming in Makueni through quality fish feed. Governor Mutula has pledged support for young people to progress manufacturing in a bid to create jobs.

The event was attended by among others Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Devolution CEC Nicholas Nzioka and Chief Officers Felisters Mutune and Japheth Kiminza

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO URGES ACTION ON TEEN PREGNANCIES.

Makueni County has been selected as a key focus area in a nationwide study by the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to assess the state of girls’ education in marginalized communities across Kenya.

A delegation from NGEC, led by Commissioner Nzomo Mbithuka, which paid a courtesy call on the Makueni Governor announced that 12 schools in Makueni will participate in the study. The County was chosen due to its relatively high literacy rate of 82% and impressive 97% transition rate from primary school. However, concerns remain over a significant drop in transition to secondary school, which stands at 82%.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. welcomed the initiative and expressed deep concern over the rising number of teenage pregnancies in the county—a major factor contributing to school dropouts among girls.

The governor also drew attention to the increasingly overlooked plight of the boy child, noting that many boys are grappling with neglect, depression, and loneliness.