Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

SH 171M CLIMATE RESILIENCE INVESTMENTS LINED UP IN 13 WARDS

13 Wards in Makueni are poised to benefit from climate resilience investment projects geared towards mitigating climate change risks and shocks in ecologically vulnerable areas.

The projects funded by World Bank through Financing Locally-led Climate Action Programme under National Treasury are expected to enhance the adaptive capacity of communities to climate change threats such as droughts and flash floods.

On Tuesday (30th April, 2024), a delegation of technical teams from the National Treasury Projects Implementation Unit and County Climate Change unit visited Ilima and Mukaa Wards for public participation fora on the environmental, social and economic suitability of suggested projects. 

In Ilima Ward, a sand dam at Kyangati across Wautu River will be constructed. 250 households will benefit from this project. Besides accessing water for domestic use, the households will be supported to grow 5,000 avocado trees to increase their incomes.

In Mukaa Ward, Kwa Kakui earth dam at Maiani is set for expansion and the water treated for community use. 

Leading the field visits were Environment and Climate Change Chief Officer Geoffrey Ngovi and Makueni FLLoCA Coordinator Jackline Kamusa.

SH 13 MILLION FLLoCA PROJECT TO TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE IN MBITINI WARD

Mbitini Ward is poised for a major agricultural transformation following the launch of the Muuoni–Mbitini Water Distribution for Agriculture and Livelihood Restoration Project.

The KSh 13 million project, funded by the Government of Makueni County through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, will harness water abstracted from the Muuoni River through the construction of a 100,000-litre underground sump and a gravity-fed distribution system to support irrigation at Kavuthu area.

The project is expected to benefit residents of Wenzi, Kwa Ngundo, and Maiden villages, which have long experienced acute water shortages, especially during prolonged dry spells. By providing reliable irrigation water, the initiative will boost horticultural production while promoting banana and avocado cultivation as part of efforts to restore degraded land and diversify household livelihoods.

To enhance the value chain, the project will also capitalize on the ward’s existing cold storage facility by training farmers in post-harvest handling, value addition, and market linkages, helping to reduce post-harvest losses, improve produce quality, and increase household incomes.

Sensitization programme on usage of Soko Makueni, Marketing E-portal.

Sensitization programme on usage of Soko Makueni, Marketing E-portal. The officers in attendance were drawn from the Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism; Directorate of Livestock and Cooperative Development and the Directorate of ICT.

The Department of Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism in a view to enhance market linkages through adoption of technology, has created a versatile platform that offers opportunity to the increasingly young populace of traders and buyers, to trade and market their products. The developed E-marketing solution dubbed ‘Soko Makueni’, will also ensure that investors get to know of the investment opportunities available within Makueni County, offer an opportunity for traders to compare market prices from different markets and give them a chance to advertise their products and produce.

 

SENSITIZATION AND ONBOARDING OF WOTE TOWN VENDORS TO SOKO MAKUENI.

In a recent online development, the County Directorates of Marketing and Trade Development and ICT conducted an intensive training program for traders in the use of Soko Makueni E-Portal platform. The purpose of this initiative was to equip participants with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

During the training sessions, participants were introduced to the various features and functionalities of the E-Portal platform, including user registration, account management, and how to access and utilize the available resources and services.


Speaking during the launch of the training, CECM Trade Eng. Peter Nyamai encouraged traders to embrace digital technology in vision of growing their businesses beyond their trading areas.


Special emphasis was placed on security measures to ensure the protection of user data and privacy. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing increased confidence in using the E-Portal for their daily tasks. The training is seen as a crucial step in promoting a seamless and efficient digital experience for all users. The Department of Trade and Marketing behind the E-Portal platform has plans to continue offering regular training sessions to ensure that users remain well-versed in its capabilities and to foster a digitally literate trading community.

SENATORS PRAISE MAKUENI WATER REFORMS

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday appeared before the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, where he outlined reforms aimed at improving water management and reducing non-revenue water in the county.

The governor said the county has embraced automation of water systems, smart metering and smart kiosks, alongside rehabilitation of water networks to curb physical and commercial losses.

He told the committee that over Sh300 million has been spent on water projects through partnerships, helping expand access in the water-scarce county.

Governor Mutula also urged the national government to review the use of underground water resources originating from Makueni, noting that the water currently serves Mombasa City while Makueni residents continue to face inadequate water supply. He added that most borehole water in the county is saline and unfit for human consumption.

Chairing the committee, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipsang William Kipkemoi commended the county government for prudent management of count investments especially water resources.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo called for the fast-tracking of the stalled Thwake Dam, saying it remains key to addressing Makueni’s water challenges.

SENATORS HAIL MAKUENI FOR PRUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior has earned praise from Senators for his county’s sound and transparent financial management and investment.

The Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds Tuesday commended Makueni County for its exemplary stewardship of public finances, particular special funds and investments.

Appearing before the committee, the Governor outlined measures his administration has implemented to maintain a record of zero non-performing loans.

Senators reviewed and discussed all matters presented before the committee, describing Makueni’s financial policies and management practices as progressive and accountable.

Governor Kilonzo said the recognition and commendation inspires the county government to continue managing public resources responsibly for the benefit of residents.

Committee Chair Godfrey Osotsi, who also serves as the Senator for Vihiga County, said Makueni County stands out as a model of effective funds governance for other devolved units.

SENATE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE PRAISES MAKUENI’S REVENUE AUTOMATION AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee has lauded Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr for the automation of all county revenue streams which has enabled the county to collect Kshs.1 Billion in own source revenue for the Financial Year 2023/2024.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who chairs the committee termed the innovative financial solutions as key in achieving clean audits and value for money for Makueni residents. 

The committee also commended the mechanisms put in place to handle pending bills including legal fees, and requested the governor to share the same with the Council of Governors for replication in other counties. 

The Governor met with the Senate Committee on Tuesday morning to consider the Reports of the Auditor-General on the Financial Statements of the County Executive of Makueni for Financial Years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022. A bulk of the recommendations and queries by the Auditor General in the year under review have been implemented and resolved.

SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE COMMENDS MAKUENI FOR IMPROVED HEALTH SERVICES

The Senate Health Committee has lauded Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for the quality of services at the Mother and Child Hospital, noting that Makueni County has placed strong emphasis on service delivery.

The committee, led by Senator Tabitha Mutinda, visited the county on Thursday to assess the performance and oversight of healthcare operations.

During the visit, the team raised a few areas of concern, which Governor Mutula and his health leadership pledged to address.