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Community stakeholders inducted on development best practices

At least 2000 development stakeholders from across the county on Thursday were inducted on development best practices geared towards mindset change for sustainable development.

According to Governor Kibwana who presided over the event at ATC-Kwakathoka, the paradigm shift in development will entail moving from doing small projects everywhere with little impact to medium and mega projects and programmes with bigger impact.

This is aimed at intensifying the trickledown effect of projects and programmes and achieving economies of scale. This will be coupled with the value for money principle.

Kibwana further noted that it makes economic sense when projects and programmes are jointly funded in regions that experience the same development needs and have both similar geographic and demographic characteristics.

This involves moving from ward or Sub-County specific kind of development to inter-ward or inter-sub-county development implementation.

One of the key objectives of this development paradigm shift is moving from focusing on the completeness of a project to the utility and benefits accruing to the citizens.

“We are not only interested in the completeness of projects but their impacts. We must make our programmes and projects meet the needs of our citizens, it is a commitment we have resolved to deliver,” said Kibwana.

The event was also graced by deputy governor Adelina Mwau, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo, members of the County Executive Committee and the County Assembly.

COMMUNITY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili Monday distributed tents and chairs to 14 self-help groups in Kilungu Ward, demonstrating the County Government’s commitment to strengthening community social and economic empowerment. The beneficiaries received the support with joy and renewed hope, highlighting the County’s continued investment in grassroots development and sustainable livelihoods.

Deputy Governor Mulili also inspected the ongoing construction of the Kilungu Ward Office. Once completed, the new office will improve service delivery and bring essential government services closer to residents.

Community-led development projects attract millions of World Bank fund

Over 160 community-led development initiatives in Makueni have received Sh 33 million funding by World Bank through the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP).

The overarching goal of the project is to increase agricultural productivity and profitability of targeted communities in selected counties, and in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency, to provide immediate and effective response.

The small-scale farmers, drawn from 20 wards across the county,​ have ventured into tomato, mango, indigenous chicken and green grams value chains and were competitively identified through vetting of proposals which had to meet set eligibility criteria.

According to the Agriculture CEC Lawrence Nzunga, priority was placed on micro-projects that have the potential to increase agricultural productivity and incomes, value addition, and links to markets; and sustain natural resources base and returns to targeted communities.

Makueni County Governor Kivutha Kibwana, while presenting the cheques to the successful groups at ATC Kwakathoka on Friday, urged farmers to focus on community-led agriculture as the surest way of enhancing food security at household level.

“I urge farmers in all the wards to venture into community-led agriculture that will help us achieve food security and save us from poverty and “Mwolyo” menace,” said Kibwana.

Kibwana asked the farmers to use the funds prudently towards implementing the proposed projects and ensure that they are successful enough to attract more funding.

A County Technical Advisory Committee is already in place to provide the monitoring and evaluation component while Community-Driven Development Committees will assist the communities to plan, implement and manage the interventions.

By the end of the project in 2021, 570 project proposals will have been funded to benefit 17,100 small holder farmers across the county.

COMMUNITY LEADERS URGED TO HANDLE SGBV EVIDENCE WITH CARE TO STRENGTHEN JUSTICE FOR SURVIVORS

Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) advocates have been called upon to exercise utmost caution when handling evidence in cases involving survivors of sexual abuse.

This appeal was made during a one-day sensitization forum held at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote on Friday, organized to address critical gaps in the fight against SGBV.

Speaking to a gathering of local administrators, county health promoters, Nyumba Kumi officials, and other stakeholders, the county coordinator on GBV matters, Theresia Maweu, emphasized the importance of preserving evidence to ensure the successful prosecution of SGBV cases.

She expressed concern over the loss of critical court cases due to the mishandling or interference with collected evidence.

Christopher Muthama, the County Community Strategy Coordinator, echoed her sentiments, urging CHPs to collaborate closely with community leaders to bridge the knowledge gap on SGBV laws, access to justice, and evidence collection.

The forum also addressed other crucial topics, including channels for reporting SGBV cases, evidence preservation, and the reintegration of survivors into their communities.

The event was part of a broader initiative by the Department of Health Services, in partnership with the World Bank through NASCOP, to provide training and resources to combat SGBV.

COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTERS TRAINED ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS TO ENHANCE DEAF COMMUNITY ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES

Community health promoters have completed a five-day intensive training on basic communication skills designed to improve access to health information and services for the deaf community.

The program, conducted in collaboration with key partners, was a major step toward enhancing inclusivity in healthcare and advancing the goal of Universal Health Coverage.

According to the county’s Department of Preventive and Promotive Health, the training equips promoters with the skills to deliver services that are not only accessible to the deaf but also respectful of their language and culture.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BEGINS IN MAKUENI

June 3, 2024

The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development has commenced community entry meetings to create awareness of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) and begin the Participatory Integrated Community Development (PICD) process.

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua launched the PICD process at Mukuku market in Kako Waia Ward. Similar meetings are taking place across the county and will continue in 4 zones in every ward until June 11, 2024, paving the way for the PICD process.

The purpose of the PICD is to ensure community members participate in identifying issues and problems in target agricultural value chains and generate solutions, including development plans.

The process will culminate in an implementation plan for NAVCDP. NAVCDP is a five-year initiative building on the National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) productivity and resilience enhancement efforts that have laid the foundation for market-oriented, commercialized farming.

The project focuses on smallholder farmers either “in transition” or who have “transitioned” from subsistence to commercial farming. The overall goal is to increase market participation and enhance value addition for smallholder farmers.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT: COUNTY DISTRIBUTES TENTS TO SELF-HELP GROUPS ENCOURAGES UPTAKE OF EMPOWERMENT FUND.

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has called on organised groups across the county to take advantage of the Makueni County Empowerment Fund (MCEF), describing it as a key county government initiative aimed at accelerating economic empowerment and improving livelihoods.

Speaking during the distribution of tents and chairs to 12 self-help groups in Kiima Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward, Mulili said the county government will provide the funds as interest-free loans to eligible groups, enabling them to invest in sustainable income-generating projects.

She noted that the empowerment fund is part of the county administration’s broader commitment to strengthening community-based enterprises, creating economic opportunities, and enhancing financial independence among organised groups.

The programme seeks to equip self-help groups with income-generating assets, including tents and chairs that can be hired out during community events, providing a steady source of revenue for beneficiaries.

Mulili urged the groups to safeguard the county’s investments by properly maintaining the assets and ensuring the projects are managed responsibly to deliver lasting socio-economic benefits.

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. Tuesday issued tents and chairs to six self-help groups in Kitundu, Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, to support their community initiatives and income-generating activities.

While presiding over the handover ceremony, the Governor encouraged residents to unite and form groups. He emphasized the importance of pooling resources and efforts so that communities can benefit collectively through cooperative societies.