Ilima Ward: March 20, 2024
Avocado Farmers Receive Organic Fertilizer
A total of 306 avocado farmers from Ilima Ward have received 15.3 metric tonnes of organic fertilizer to bolster productivity.
The initiative is a ward project which was requested by the farmers through public participation.
The distribution exercise was led by Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyallo on Wednesday at the Ward Administration office.
On Friday, avocado farmers in Kilungu and Kilome sub-counties completed a four-day training to enhance their export capabilities.
The training, conducted by TradeMark Africa (TMA), an NGO committed to promoting trade and prosperity, with support by the European Union through the Business Environment and Export Enhancement Program (BEEEP), centered on achieving compliance with global export standards.
BEEEP is designed to boost Kenya’s export competitiveness in key agricultural commodities such as avocados, mangoes, vegetables and flowers.
The training aimed to equip participants with essential skills in proper chemical usage and hygiene practices to ensure high-quality farm produce.
Attending the training session, Agriculture Chief Officer Dr. Victoria Kyalo emphasized the importance of farmers organizing themselves into registered groups to access more trainings and market opportunities.
The session ended with plans for a certification exercise under Global Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and KEBS’ KS1758-2016 standards.
This standardization certification will enhance market access for avocado produce, leading to better prices and improved livelihoods for farmers.
The initiative reflects Makueni County’s commitment to empowering farmers and strengthening agricultural exports.
The long wait for reliable water is nearly over for residents of Nguumo, Makindu and Kikumbulyu North wards as the Athi-Tunguni water project enters its final stages of completion.
The Sh 68M project by the Government of Makueni County aims to draw and treat water from Athi River and supply it to the three wards.
During a routine inspection of ongoing works on Friday, Water Executive Committee Member Eng. John Kieti and his Infrastructure counterpart Eng. Peter Mumo confirmed the pipeline extension works are progressing well, with full completion expected by August 2025.
The Athi-Tunguni initiative is a flagship project under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Program, which aims to achieve universal water access by 2027.
The completion of Athi–Tunguni–Kilema water project has brought long-awaited relief to thousands of households across Kikumbulyu North, Makindu and Nguumo wards, ending years of reliance on raw, untreated water from River Athi.
For decades, families walked long distances to fetch unsafe water, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases and the daily burden of hauling heavy containers. The water is now pumped from the river, treated and distributed through a 27-km pipeline.
For Eunice of Mukononi village, the project is nothing short of life changing. She recalls drawing water from a shallow well dug at the base of Mukononi River, an exposed pit whose high sandy walls could collapse at any moment. That was her everyday reality. Today, she says devolution has finally made meaning to her and fellow residents, as clean water now flows safely to their community.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr says the project will be expanded to cover a total of five wards.
Athi-Kalawa water project under rehabilitation by Government of Makueni County in partnership with World Vision-Kenya. Rehabilitation works which include Intake at River Athi, booster station and modern treatment facility is 85 percent complete.
Once complete, this project will bring safe, reliable water to 80% of Kalawa Ward residents through the #LastMileWaterConnectivity spearheaded by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr
Over 50 women living with fistula related complications in Makueni County are expected to receive free surgeries and medical advice in a weeklong free Fistula Camp at the Makueni County Referral Hospital.
The execrise which began last week Friday 29th and runs to April 6th was officially flagged off on Monday by Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau, Safaricom Foundation’s Assistant Programmes Analyst Antony Otieno and Council Member, Flying Doctors Society of Africa Illa Devani.
The activity, courtesy of a partnership between the County Government, Safaricom Foundation and Flying Doctors’ Society of Africa aims at creating awareness about fistula and the importance of quality maternal health services.
Since Friday, at least 100 women have been screened and 23 admitted at the Mother and Child Hospital, Wote, for surgeries which commenced on Monday.
Accounts by some of the women admitted for surgery tell of a people who have been living in delibitating conditions with a near withdrawal from all social activities due to stigma.
The Mother and Child Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Doris Mbithi said victims of this condition suffer from depression, rejection and trauma and choose to suffer in silence as the cost for corrective surgery is prohibitive to many.
A normal corrective surgery costs at least Sh 65,000 and requires specialised medical procedures.
The World Health Organization has termed fistula as the single most dramatic aftermath of neglected childbirth estimating that more than 2 million women live with fistula worldwide.
It is estimated that there are 3,000 new fistula cases in Kenya each year, and only 7.5 percent of these are able to access medical care.
This means that every year, more than 2,700 women with new fistula cases do not receive the necessary medical attention.
At least 12,600 learners from needy backgrounds in Makueni are now guaranteed uninterrupted learning through an 85 million investment by the County Government.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Friday led the distribution of bursary cheques to beneficiaries across the 30 wards, ensuring a seamless return to school next week.
Beneficiaries of the bursary scheme were identified through a rigorous vetting ensuring that only the most deserving students benefit from this program.
Additionally, the county government has released an extra 14 million through the Department of ICT, Education, and Internship for the 687 ongoing Scholarship students across the county, bringing it to a whopping 99M.
This year’s form one bursary and scholarship applications close on 8th January 2024.
120 youth in Makueni are set to benefit from free three-weeks Advanced ICT Training under the Tusomeei Computer Nduani initiative, courtesy of the County Government of Makueni.
The training which began on Monday, aims at equipping the youth with computational thinking and problem solving skills in order for them to succeed in the ever changing digital world.
The young people who were competitively selected, 4 from each of the 30 wards will be intensively trained on Web Design, Computer Hardware and Software, Graphics Design and computer Networks with each trainee choosing one area of interest.
According to Kivuva Mwangangi of Emali-Mulala ward, a beneficiary of the program and a graduate of Computer Science from Maseno University, the initiative has given him a platform to perfect his networking skills especially after experiencing some challenges in the field immediately after his graduation.
“After graduating from Maseno with a degree in Computer Science, I was shocked I could experience some difficulties in field work. When I saw this opportunity, I was excited because I knew it was a good avenue for me to perfect my networking skills,” Mwangangi said.
The trainees, according to Youth and ICT Executive Dr. Joshua Wambua, will in the long run be employable, have hands on skills to create websites or be ripe for start-up ventures using the digital skills gained.
As Kenya marks 61 years of self rule, Makueni is making strides to further devolve resources and governance so that wananchi can fully harness the fruits of devolution. As part of this decentralization, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Saturday commissioned the Kilome Sub-county adminstration office where residents will access all devolved services under one roof.
The Governor will also be able to work from this office to adress development matters of the Sub-county.
Appeals by the County Government for relief support for the victims of floods is yielding fruits with various organisations responding to aid the kitty.
On Tuesday UNICEF in conjunction with ,Red Cross and the National Government donated 673 water jericans,24 boxes of water purifiers, 4,000 pieces of bar soaps and 4,000 ten litre plastic buckets to be distributed to the victims of the April floods that caused devastating destructions in the county.
Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau who received the consignment appreciated the donors, adding that, the county emergency team will ensure the items reach the flood victims in Makueni.
‘’We are very much humbled to have so many people wanting to partner with us and we urge others to support the county in other activities that we are running,”Mwau said.
The deputy county commissioner Dr. Mbugua reiterated the same, adding that such gesture was meant to alleviate those who suffered during the just concluded rains in Makueni.
Water and irrigation County Executive Committee Member Mr. Bob Kisyula promised that the items will be distributed equitably to the affected.