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TAKING AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION FROM POLICY TO THE FIELD

In the face of unpredictable climate patterns affecting Makueni County, KALRO Kiboko and the Cereal Growers Association CGA) brought regulators, scientists and academia together to witness how science can strengthen food security.

The Wednesday high-level stakeholder engagement focused on Trecepta, a biotechnology jointly developed by KALRO and Bayer Crop Science to protect maize from above-ground insect pests while controlling weeds.

The forum, dubbed “Stawisha Mazao: A Tale of Two Harvests,” followed a Science Meets Policy Roundtable and featured an immersive field visit to a smallholder farmer’s plot and the KALRO Kiboko Confined Field Trial site.

Participants compared the realities farmers face when access to technology is delayed against the proven benefits of science-led innovation. The visit concluded with an on-site dialogue bringing together farmers, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and the media.

Attending the forum, Agriculture CECM Liz Muli said modern agricultural technologies are critical in lowering production costs and building farmer resilience amid climate stress.

KALRO Biotechnology Research Institute Director Dr. Martin Mwirigi emphasized that Trecepta combines proven traits to offer comprehensive protection, helping farmers achieve better yields sustainably.

The engagement marked a deliberate shift from boardroom discussions to field-based evidence, strengthening fact-driven dialogue on agricultural biotechnology in Kenya.

Take advantage of ongoing rains, plant trees, DG Mulili urges.

Deputy Governor H.E Lucy Mulili has called on the locals to plant trees in huge numbers during this rainy season so as to increase forest cover.
Mulili who led the area community in planting over 4000 trees at Kenze forest, Kilome, on Wednesday termed deforestation as one of the main reasons the world is experiencing erratic climate and
catastrophic global warming effects.

Taita Taveta County Officials in Makueni to learn new tricks

A delegation from Taita Taveta county government on Tuesday started a two-day tour of Makueni County to study the climate change policy and the implementation of sand conservation and utilization.

The Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Majala Mlaghui who is the leader of the delegation said her team was visiting to study the milestones achieved by Makueni County in climate change, sand conservation and utilization policy enactment and implementation.

She is accompanied by various government officials and MCAs who are members of the departmental committee on water.

She said that Taita Taveta has since banned commercial sand harvesting and wishes to borrow from Makueni experience to implement the ban. Makueni banned sand harvesting in 2013.

Makueni deputy governor Adelina Mwau who received the team noted that there was need for the creation of an economic bloc that constitutes Taita Taveta, Makueni, Machakos, Kajiado and Kitui counties who would stand up and fight illegal sand harvesting jointly.

“Illegal sand harvesting has been a nightmare to us and that is the reason governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana and I decided to ban the activity in 2013.Although we have had challenges our strategy of coming up with sand regulations has curbed the menace,” Mwau said

Prof Kibwana who also met members of the delegation noted that the illegal business had attracted social problems in the community like drug abuse, prostitution among others before he decided to ban sand scooping.

The governor said that the move was driven by the motivation to protect the sources of water as many of the rivers had been depleted.

‘’We were pushed by the urge to save our rivers, the youth who were practicing the illegal sand business and more so moving towards sustainable sand harvesting, “said Prof Kibwana.

He said that counties must aspire to work together with the county assemblies for development progress.

  • July 24, 2018 in News

SWEET RETURNS: BEE KEEPING TRANSFORMS LIVELIHOODS IN LOWER MAKUENI

Bee keeping is fast emerging as a promising economic venture in the lower parts of Makueni, offering residents a sustainable source of income.

The Department of Agriculture has shown great commitment in promoting modern apiary practices to empower locals and boost honey production across the region.

On Tuesday, the department distributed 51 modern beehives to three community groups made up of more than 80 members, with each group receiving 17 hives.

Speaking during the exercise, group chairperson Peter Mwanzia Mumo expressed confidence that the new hives would significantly increase honey yields. He urged more residents, especially those with vast land, to embrace bee keeping as a profitable enterprise.

Agricultural extension officers have been actively training farmers on modern hive management, bee handling, and hygienic honey extraction methods.

The initiative seeks to increase productivity and enhance household incomes, in line with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision of an economically empowered Makueni.

Swearing in of Makueni County Governor-elect and the Deputy Governor-elect

This is to notify the public that pursuant to the Assumption of Office of Governor Act 2019, the inauguration and swearing in ceremony of the Makueni County Governor-elect H.E Mutula Kilonzo CBS and the Deputy Governor-elect H.E Lucy Mulili, will be held on Thursday 25th August 2022 from 10:00am at the Unoa Grounds, Wote Town. Guests and members of the public are requested to be seated by 9:30am.

Support counties to join Open Government Partnership: Mwau

Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau has urged the national government to support counties to join open government partnership saying that their efforts will go a long way in enhancing openness and accountability across the country.

While addressing key stakeholders during the launch of the third Open Government Partnership National Action Plan led by Deputy President William Ruto on Monday at Serena, Mwau noted that concerted efforts will help the country to achieve the Big Four Agenda and Vision 2030.

“It will be a great idea for you to support County Governments to become members so that we can all join efforts to willingly enhance accountability and openness across the Country,” Mwau said.

In his keynote remarks, Ruto noted that involvement of citizens by government in audit of its programmes ensures stability of the nation as well as promote effective democracy.

He said: “When a government involves citizens, civil society in the audits of its practices and programmes, the society is more stable, the country more organized and the people happy because they know their nation is run in their best interests.”

He further lauded Makueni for institutionalizing open governance through involvement of its citizenry in its development programs.

Makueni, according to the DG has partnered with Hivos and Development Gateway to ensure open governance and signed a Memorandum of Understanding which established the terms and conditions under which open contracting can be implemented.

The third National Action Plan will be anchored on the following commitments:

  • Publish a central public register of company beneficial ownership information operating in the country;
  • Open contracting to improve transparency and reduce opportunities for corruption;
  • Open-Geo Spatial data for development by lowering the barrier and increase access to geospatial data;
  • Improve public participation for better and responsive service delivery;
  • Improve public sector performance through governance indices and
  • Build open government resiliency.

Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of a Juice Reconstitution and Packaging Line at Makueni Fruit Processing Plant (MFPP)

The Government of Makueni County has obtained a Grant from the European Union, through the Ministry of Devolution and ASAL, under the EU-IDEAS programme, for the Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing & Commissioning of a Juice Reconstitution and Packaging Line at the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant (MFPP).

The Government of Makueni County invites interested and eligible bidders for the above tender.

Interested firms may download the bid documents below.

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This bid is open to both local and international bidders.

The supplies must adhere to the Rules of Origin as laid down in Annex IV of the Cotonou Agreement as revised by DECISION No 1/2014 of the ACP-EU COUNCIL OF MINISTERS of 20 June, 2014 (2014/428/EU).

The duly completed bids should be enclosed in plain sealed envelopes clearly marked with Tender Number and Tender Name and deposited in the tender box situated at the Makueni County Treasury headquarters offices (MAP) and be addressed to:

COUNTY SECRETARY

GOVERNMENT OF MAKUENI COUNTY

P.O. BOX 78-90300

MAKUENI – Kenya

All tenders should be received on or before Monday, 26th November, 2018 (12 Noon East African Time)

Bids will be opened immediately thereafter in the presence of bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at Makueni County Treasury headquarters offices (MAP)

The successful bidder will be selected in accordance with evaluation criteria and terms and conditions set out in the bidding documents.

For any additional information, please contact the County Secretary on email: county.secretary@makueni.go.ke

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SULTAN RESIDENTS CELEBRATE AS FLOODLIGHTS TRANSFORM MBINDU MARKET

Joy and relief ripple through Sultan as newly installed floodlights light up Masumba Mbindu Market, turning a once-dark and insecure area into a vibrant night hub. Residents say the lights, switched on last week, have significantly improved security and peace of mind.

Local resident Mutua Mutunga says he can now sleep without fear of losing his cattle, a worry that once kept him awake at night. Another resident, Benjamin Wambua, says the transformation is so striking that the market has earned a new name. “It used to be called Masumba ‘Mbindu’, meaning darkness. Now we call it Masumba ‘Kyeni’ Market — the light market,” he said with a smile.

The high-mast, solar-powered lights, an initiative by the Makueni County Government in partnership with REREC through a match-funding model, illuminate a radius of over 100 metres, sparking renewed night-time economic activity.

Residents have lauded the county government, saying the project has directly improved their daily lives. They are now calling for the long-abandoned Mbindu market structure to be operationalized to further boost local economic growth.

Similar initiative has also been undertaken at Utangwa market in Kithungo Kitundu Ward.

SULTAN HAMUD HEALTH WORKERS PRAISED AS COUNTY NEARS COMMISSIONING OF NEW MATERNAL WING

Health Services CECM Joyce Mutua and Chief Officer Dr. Harvey Mulei on Friday commended healthcare workers at Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital for outstanding performance, after the facility successfully handled 168 deliveries in December last year despite having a maternity bed capacity of just 11.

The commendation came as the County prepares to commission a new 57-bed Mother and Child Wing at the hospital, a major investment expected to significantly expand access to quality maternal and child healthcare services in the region.

The new facility is being constructed through a partnership initiated by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., with support from the MPESAFoundation. Once completed, the wing will offer a wide range of services, including neonatal care, antenatal services, obstetric and gynecological care, as well as consultative services, among others.

The county health leadership made the remarks during a routine supervisory visit to Sultan Hamud Sub-County Hospital, where they held a meeting with the health management technical team to assess service delivery and operational challenges.

Dr. Mulei attributed the rising number of deliveries at the facility to its strategic location, noting that the hospital serves not only residents of Makueni County but also patients from neighbouring Kajiado and Machakos counties.

Ag. Director for Preventive and Promotive Health, Dr. Stephen Mwatha, emphasized the need for enhanced training on family-centred, point-of-care approaches in maternity services to strengthen collaboration and improve maternal health outcomes.

Mutua also commended the hospital for effectively integrating HIV services into routine care, observing that stigma among people living with HIV had significantly reduced as a result of the integrated approach.

The meeting was attended by members of the hospital’s Board of Management, led by Chairperson Major Leonard Kasyoka, who echoed the call for continued investment in infrastructure and capacity building to match the growing demand for services at the facility.

SUCCESSFUL SURGERIES BRING RELIEF TO WOMEN SUFFERING FROM FISTULA IN MAKUENI.

Successful Surgeries Bring Relief to Women Suffering from Fistula in Makueni

At least 11 women suffering from fistula-related complications breathed a sigh of relief following successful surgeries yesterday at the Mother and Child Hospital. Additional surgeries are planned for today.

Dr. Doris Mbithi, the fistula surgeon in Makueni, stated that the hospital has admitted 50 women awaiting surgery. So far, they have screened at least 148 women and are encouraging more to come forward for screening.

The county government has partnered with Jhpiego to address and reduce the prevalence of fistula among Makueni residents. The Department of Health is also offering free fistula screenings from May 17, 2024, to May 24, 2024.

Makueni is set to host the National and International Day of Ending Fistula on May 23, 2024.