Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

Environment CS, Governor Mutula commission Tree Growing Campaign

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Soipan Tuya together with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Friday led hundreds of residents in a tree growing exercise at Kiu Wetland in Makindu Ward.

The exercise precedes celebration of the National Tree Growing Day to be hosted in the site and graced by President William Ruto on Monday 13th. 100,000 tree seedlings will be planted at the wetland on the same day.

Makueni targets to grow 344 million trees by 2032, with 34 million grown each year. In the current October-November-December rain season, the county will grow 10 million trees.

ENI DONATES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH K.SH 40 MILLION TO BOOST HEALTHCARE IN MAKUENI

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Friday received medical equipment worth K.sh 40 Million from ENI Kenya, a leading biofuels value chain investor in the country.

The equipment, handed over by ENI Kenya Managing Director Enrico Tavolini, includes a centrifuge and a fridge to support blood unit preservation at the Referral Hospital, neonatal equipment for the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, and nutritional supplements for pregnant women and babies, among other items.

Additionally, ENI has equipped the maternity wing at Kambi-Mawe Dispensary and is constructing an ablution block and a biodigester to enhance sanitation services at the facility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Governor Mutula hailed the initiative, saying it would significantly improve healthcare services in the two facilities.

The partnership is expected to bolster healthcare delivery and align with Governor Mutula’s goal of providing quality and accessible medical services.

ENHANCING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH

In an effort to enhance workplace mental health, the Department of Health Services is implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides rehabilitation services and mental health support aimed at boosting productivity and service delivery.

During the International Mental Health Day celebrations at the Mother and Child Hospital, Chief Officer in charge of Health Services Dr. Ndolo emphasized the importance of fostering a sustainable mentally healthy workforce.

Dr. Ndolo urged staff to be vigilant against burnout, cautioning that excessive work can lead to decreased performance. The event was attended by county staff and community member.

Enhancing Food Security in Makueni

Governor Kivutha Kibwana and his deputy Adelina Mwau on Thursday flagged off 30MT of maize seed worth Kshs. 7.5M for distribution to 15,000 farmers across the county a head of the October-December short rains.

The consignment, which is support from Bayer East Africa, is part of the county government’s efforts working with its partners to enhance food security initiatives.

The initiatives target to support 47,382 farm families, 75 youth groups and 118 other groups with seeds, seedlings and equipment to improve food and nutrition security in the county. The target beneficiaries are spread across all the thirty wards in Makueni County in line with the county government’s philosophy of “O kila nyumba kalila.”

The overall goal of the initiatives, governor Kibwana said, is to cushion the farmer against the effects of covid-19 pandemic by ensuring availability of quality seed and seedlings for enhanced productivity and profitability at farm level. This is to be achieved through a collaborative effort between the government and stakeholders as follows:

1. Bayer E.A, supporting with 30,000 Kgs of maize seed (worth KShs 7.5M), targeting 15,000 (500 per ward) beneficiaries

2. Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme – Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihood (KCEP-CRAL), a government programme, targeting to reach out to 5,297 beneficiaries with an assortment of maize/beans and sorghum/green grams seeds as well as other farm inputs (ripping service, hermetic bags, tarpaulin, fertilizers). The programme will also support 20 staff with motorbikes to enhance their mobility when offering extension services.

3. Small-scale Irrigation and Value Addition Project (SIVAP) targeting 540 beneficiaries with beans, cow peas, green grams, dolichos lab, millets, and sorghum seeds for demonstrations and bulking in the project areas (Utangwa, Kyemwee Irrigation schemes and Muoni/Kikuu Catchment – Makindu, Nguu/Masumba, Emali/Mulala, Mbitini and Kasikeu wards).

4. The National Irrigation Board (NIB) is supporting the initiative with 7,000 avocado seedlings which will be distributed to Kilungu, Mbitini, Ukia, Mbooni, Kithungo/Kitundu, and Tulimani wards. (10 seedlings per farmer).

5. The Government of Makueni County (GMC) will support the initiative with 10,000 avocado seedlings and 1,500 macadamia seedlings under ward projects in Mukaa and Ilima wards. (10 seedlings per farmer).

6. The Agriculture and Food Authority’s Nuts & Oil Crops will support the initiative with 5,000 cashew nut seedlings which will be distributed to 500 beneficiaries across the county at 10 seedlings per farmer.

7. The Makueni Youth Agribusiness Empowerment Project (MYAEP) will support 60 youth groups as follows;
a. 10 groups with beehives, honey harvesting kits, honey extracting machines,
b. 10 groups with chicken,
c. 20 groups with pumps, drip irrigation kits, vegetable seeds and farm inputs (fertilizers and agrochemicals).
d. 20 groups for capacity building (skills development)
e. The project has also supported 8 staff with motorbikes to enhance their mobility when offering extension services.

ENERGY SECTOR INVESTORS TO PARTNER WITH MAKUENI COUNTY

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday held a one on one session with China – Africa Partnership for Sustainable Investment for Renewable Energy in Africa, Sun Africa, World Resources Institute, and Tool Kit to discuss investment prospectus for Makueni County.
The Investment Prospectus (IP) highlights the Renewable Energy investment opportunities with the aim of attracting finance and investment, by showcasing real opportunities that exists in Makueni County. Identification of the opportunities listed on this IP was based on the following criteria:
• Data collection and analysis through the Energy Access Explorer (EAE);
an online, open-source, interactive platform that uses mapping to visualize and identify priority areas where energy markets can be expanded.
• Literature reviews based on government priorities to scale renewable energy interventions.
• Interviews/consultations with both private sector players and government officers at
national and county levels.
• Site visits to gain on-ground experience of the potential the investment opportunities hold.
The partnership will incorporate solar installations for dairy processing plants, Powering Cold Chains, Powering Value Addition, Expansion and Powering Water Supply, Powering Healthcare, Powering Irrigation, Renewable Energy Power Generation, Training of CTTI Instructors and Trainees to enhance their Technical Skills to International Standards and Empowering the Youth to unlock their Economic Potential.
World Resources Institute (WRI) remains committed to work closely with the Government of Makueni County in building a comprehensive list of bankable projects across the county, which remains a critical part of unlocking finance and investment in the Renewable Energy space.
H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, H.E. Lucy Mulili, County Secretary, County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers and other members of county staff.

ENERGY DIRECTORATE CONCLUDES  INNOVATIVE ENERGY PLAN DEVELOPMENT

Makueni County Government  in collaboration with Strathmore University (SU) and the World Resource Institute (WRI) has successfully concluded a three-day workshop aimed at shaping the County Energy Plan. This partnership brings together governmental insight, academic expertise from Strathmore University, and the global perspective on sustainable development provided by WRI.

The workshop launched by County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi at Kusyombunguo Wote, emphasized the pivotal role of energy in daily life. Dr. Kyambi stressed the significance in powering homes, fueling industries, and propelling progress. He stated that there was a need for a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy that would meet the current County energy needs and lay a foundation for a resilient and sustainable future. He further urged stakeholders to promote the use of renewable energy sources to mitigate environmental degradation.

The workshop delved into critical topics including Bioenergy Findings and Interventions, Energy Access Findings, Electricity Modeling Scenarios, Clean Cooking Modeling, Energy Efficiency and Conservations Findings, and Cross-Cutting Issues with a focus on Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The collaboration between the Energy Directorate, Strathmore University, and WRI promises a forward-thinking, comprehensive, and implementable energy plan for the sustainable development of Makueni County.

The three-day workshop agenda included project confirmations on the first day, validation sessions for the technical working group, departmental directors, and policy makers on the second day, and a final validation session with 30 community members from various wards on the third day.

EMPOWERING MAKUENI’S TRADERS THROUGH MSME DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

Hundreds of traders in Wote town took part in a transformative training program on Wednesday aimed at empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The program convened by the County Trade Department brought together officers from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), and the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC Makueni) to provide training on product quality improvement and compliance with government regulations.

This training focused on equipping participants with vital entrepreneurial skills, including quality assurance, inspection and testing services, metrology, consumer protection, certifications and standards, business planning, financial management and bookkeeping.

Attending the training, Ag. CECM Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Nicholas Nzioka urged traders to develop networks and partnerships that will serve to strengthen the MSME sector in Makueni, fostering growth, compliance and economic sustainability for local trade.

During the training, KEBS Principal Officer for Quality Assurance Mildred Eboi demonstrated the steps required to obtain a standardization mark for goods. She further cautioned traders against selling substandard products, highlighting that it is illegal and punishable by law.

The forum that was also attended by Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Chief Officer Jossylyn Nzilani and Trade Director Harrison Kiandiko among other officers marks a significant step in promoting quality assurance and protecting consumers while supporting local businesses.

Embrace open contracting to curb corruption-Kibwana

Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana has asked institutions to adopt open contracting as one of the ways to curb rampant corruption in the country.

Kibwana said that open contracting ensures transparency and accountability in all government’s processes hence locking out any chance for corruption and ill practices.

“There are other ways of dealing with corruption apart from jailing and that is open contracting. Let us get into transparency systems,” Kibwana said.

Kibwana was speaking on Friday when he hosted the Hivos Foundation director Edwin Huizing during an open contracting debriefing on Makueni’s progress.

The county in partnership with Hivos embarked on open contracting in 2018, a move to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity in government processes.

In 2018/2019 financial year, the county government used open procurement for tendering processes.

Hivos East Africa regional director Mendi Njonjo disclosed that Makueni is the second world wide documented case to ever use observers during the evaluation stage in open contracting.

The county invited observers to take part in the evaluation stage during the construction of Wote green park and purchase of reconstitution line for Kalamba Fruit Processing plant tenders.

Makueni together with Hivos are in the final stages to launch the open contracting data standards, a platform that will enable the masses to interact with all the tendering information online.