News

COURTESY CALL BY AUDITORS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Wote, 19th August 2024.

A team of auditors from the Office of the Commissioner of Cooperative Development commenced their 10-day tour of duty in Makueni today with a courtesy call to the Office of the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Agriculture livestock,Fisheries and Cooperatives development, Joyce Mutua.

The auditors are in Makueni to conduct a forensic audit and inquiry into Kilimo Services Sacco Society Limited. This investigation follows a request by the Members of the Sacco to the County Government to assist them in carrying out audit after allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement by the Sacco’s leadership led to the near-collapse of the giant Sacco, which boasts a membership of 16,000 members.

The inquiry will focus on:

Auditing the Sacco’s by-laws.

Evaluating the working and financial conditions of the Sacco.

Investigating the conduct of current and past management and committee members of Kilimo Sacco Society Limited, in accordance with Section 58, read together with Section 73 of the Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 490, Laws of Kenya.

During the meeting, Joyce Mutua expressed her confidence in the audit team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Cooperatives CPA Peter Wanjohi Kiama, Principal Cooperative Auditor Silars Okoth Dede, and Senior ICT Officer Michael Maigwa. She assured that the truth would be uncovered and that those responsible for the mismanagement of the Sacco’s resources would be held accountable.

This inquiry follows a Baraza held last thursday by Sacco members, where leaders, including ECM Agriculture Joyce Mutua, Makueni County assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu, and MCA for Nzaui Kilili Kalamba Ward Francis Mutuku among other leaders, assured members that justice would be served, and all responsible parties would be held to account for the lost resources.

The morning meeting was attended by Chief Officer of Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Japheth Kimimza, Director of Cooperatives Munene Mwiindi, and Director of Administration Esther Kivindyo.

COUNTY’S LAND SUCCESSION INITIATIVE BRINGS HOPE TO LOCALS WITHOUT TITLE DEEDS

For 72-year-old Gabriel Kimanga from Kiou in Kilome Sub-County, uncertainty has been a lifelong reality.

Despite having lived on his great-grandfather’s land for decades, he has never held a title deed.

The land was passed down through generations,his father and uncles inheriting it from their grandfather,yet the lack of legal ownership has left Kimanga distressed, especially as he struggles to secure a future for his ten children.

However, relief is in sight as the county government rolls out a land succession initiative aimed at resolving such cases.

The county is currently conducting sensitization forums in wards that prioritized land succession during public participation, an exercise funded through the Ward Development Fund.

Among the areas benefitting from the initiative are Kasikeu, Kathonzweni, Emali-Mulala, Wote-Nziu, Tulimani, and Kithungo-Kitundu wards.

Addressing residents separately at Kasikeu Chief’s Camp and Kwothithu Chief’s Camp, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized that succession laws do not discriminate against women in land ownership.

She urged families to ensure fair distribution of land among all rightful heirs, warning that failure to do so often leads to prolonged court battles.

She also cautioned young men against recklessly selling inherited land, reminding them of their responsibility to care for their aging parents.

County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa noted that the program will support 25 beneficiaries per cluster, assisting them in navigating the complex land succession process.

Meanwhile, area MCA Ruben Musau encouraged residents to allocate additional funds for land succession in the next budget cycle to ensure more families benefit from the initiative.

With governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s intervention, residents like Kimanga can now look forward to securing their land rights, offering stability and peace of mind for their generations.

COUNTY TREASURY EMBARKS ON STRATEGIC REVIEW OF 2023/24 PERFORMANCE TO GUIDE BUDGET PLANNING

The County Treasury has commenced a 3-day working session to assess the financial and non-financial performance of the 2023/24 fiscal year.

The session has convened staff from eight sector working groups representing all departments, to contribute insights that will shape the 2024 County Budget Review and Outlook Paper (CBROP) and set preliminary sector ceilings for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The groups will identify gaps, successes, lessons learned from the implementation of the 2023/24 fiscal year and areas for improvement in 2025/26, crucial for informed budget decisions.

The resulting document will undergo approval processes by the County Executive Committee, the County Budget Economic Forum and the County Assembly before its planned publication and dissemination by mid-October 2024.

Finance Executive Damaris Kavoi, who officially opened the session at the County Treasury boardroom on Tuesday, urged staff to collaborate closely to ensure a thorough and accurate document. She was accompanied by Chief Officer for Planning, Revenue and Budget Boniface Mutua and Budget Director Ann Muendo.

COUNTY TREASURY CONDUCTS COMMUNITY OUTREACH ON KEY GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Makueni County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning Damaris Kavoi, on Wednesday led a team of staff from the departments of Finance and Lands to Kalawa Market for a community outreach initiative.

The visit aimed to give back to the community and conduct a market clinic focused on land rates and revenue payments.

The day started with a clean-up exercise at the market, aimed at creating a more welcoming and hygienic environment for the residents.

Ms. Kavoi also officially opened the Kalawa Revenue Office, which will now offer residents convenient access to government services related to revenue collection and land rates

The team set up a help desk outside the new office, where they interacted with residents, providing them with information, answering questions and addressing concerns about revenue and other county services.

Ms. Kavoi expressed her intention to replicate this initiative in other major towns across Makueni County.

The market clinics are designed to foster closer interaction with residents, gain valuable insights and enhance the delivery of public services.

COUNTY STEPS UP MANGO UPTAKE TO CUT LOSSES AND BOOST FARMER EARNINGS

Makueni County has intensified mango off-taking through the Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority (MCFDMA) to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure equitable uptake across all wards.

Speaking during a public participation forum at Kalawani Cold Store and Pack House, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli firmly stated that the county has deliberately structured an allocation for every ward to ensure farmers directly benefit from their produce.

She further committed that the department has established a multi-agency taskforce to strictly verify mango uptake and safeguard local farmers from exploitation and safeguard county farmer interests.

Supporting the initiative, Tulimani Ward MCA Kyalo Mumo assured robust Assembly oversight to ensure Kalamba Processing Plant benefits local farmers.

The sensitization forum organized by Trademark Africa, aims to operationalize the facility, strengthen aggregation, stabilize markets, and advance Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s household economic empowerment agenda.

COUNTY RALLIES LEADERS TO STRENGTHEN MANGO MARKETING AMID BUMPER HARVEST

The Department of Agriculture on Wednesday held a consultative meeting with CDDC chairpersons, SACCO leaders, Mango lead farmers and the 7 Cooperatives supplying mangoes to the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant to review the mango marketing status of ward-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The leaders were updated on the current season mango offtake totaling to over 8 million Metric Tonnes and valued at Kshs 260M through exporters, processors and both urban and rural fresh markets.

The forum, attended by County Secretary Dr. Justine Kyambi, focused on practical strategies to manage the ongoing bumper harvest while strengthening collective marketing to safeguard farmer incomes.

Addressing the meeting, Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development CECM Liz Muli urged local leaders to mobilize farmers to join organized producer groups which would enable the County Government to negotiate better prices, secure stable markets, and deliver extension services more efficiently.

Dr. Kyambi reaffirmed the county’s commitment to protecting farmers from market exploitation and ensuring fair returns for their produce.

He further emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s agenda of economically empowering households through structured, market-driven agriculture.

COUNTY PARTNERS WITH KILOME YOUTH AND KNH DOCTORS TO REACH OVER 500 IN MEDICAL OUTREACH

Over the weekend, the County Government of Makueni, in collaboration with Kilome Digital Youth Kenya and medical professionals from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), conducted a successful medical outreach program targeting over 500 residents of Kilome Sub-county.

The outreach, led by Dr. Harvey Mulei, the Chief Officer for Health Services, provided free medical services including general health screenings, cancer checks, laboratory diagnostics, and medication.

Dr. Mulei noted that the program exceeded expectations, as there was sufficient medication for all patients, with the surplus redirected to local health facilities.

He noted that medical camps play a critical role in early detection and timely intervention of health conditions. He said they also help in identifying cases that require referral to higher-level facilites.

He further disclosed that, as part of the county’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the health department are in the process of developing a health insurance scheme aimed at shielding residents from the vagaries of hospital bills.

COUNTY MOVES TO ENHANCE SURGICAL SAFETY WITH NEW EQUIPMENT

Tawa Sub-County Hospital on Tuesday received a new anesthesia machine, a boost expected to strengthen surgical and critical care services at the facility.

The equipment replaces an aging unit that had broken down, a setback that had limited theatre operations.

Speaking at Tawa Sub County Hospital, Dr. Harvey Mulei who delivered the new machine on behalf of governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. noted that it anticipates to enhance the safety and efficiency of surgical procedures, ensuring uninterrupted access to quality anesthesia services for patients in Tawa Sub-County and neighboring areas.

Dr. Mulei also took the opportunity to introduce the hospital’s medical supretendant.

In a related effort to improve healthcare delivery across the county, Kilungu Sub-County Hospital has already installed a similar anesthesia machine, which is now fully operational and supporting theatre services.

The investment reflects an ongoing drive to equip facilities with modern medical technology that enhances patient outcomes and reduces the need for referrals to higher-level hospitals.

COUNTY LAUNCHES FORUM TO COMBAT NEONATAL DEATHS AND DISPEL HARMFUL HEALTH MYTHS

Healthcare workers from Level 2 and 3 health facilities are gathering at the One Mother and Child Hospital for a sensitization forum aimed at reducing neonatal deaths in the county.

The forum also seeks to address and dispel harmful myths surrounding unsafe health practices, such as the dangerous tradition of gum cutting, in an effort to promote healthier health-seeking behaviors.

The five-day forum was officially inaugurated by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health, Joyce Mutua.

As part of its commitment to improving maternal and child health, the Department is implementing a range of initiatives, including neonatal death audits, comprehensive capacity-building programs for healthcare workers, and the weekly Maternal Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system .

This is to track and address preventable deaths. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to foster change and reduce neonatal mortality rates across the county.

County in collaboration with KCB Bank donates food stuffs to children homes

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday led a food donation drive at Kikumini primary school small home, Salama Kenya Baptist children’s home and Tumbuni community centre for children with special needs as a way of supporting meal expenses of special needs children.

Mulili thanked the management of the institutions for creating a world of equal opportunities for children with intellectual impairment among other disabilities.

At Tumbuni, the school provides the children with education and trainings such as weaving based on the child’s aptitude, intelligence and the type and extend of their disability.

The food stuffs donated include: baking flour, cooking oil, maize flour, rice, and beans, thanks to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).