400 farmers from Tulimani Ward in Mbooni have received agrochemicals as part of an initiative to bolster fruit value chain development in the county.
The assorted agrochemicals will play a crucial role in managing destructive pests and controlling fruit diseases.
The distribution exercise, spearheaded by Livestock Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza, took place on Friday at Kalawani Social Hall. He was accompanied by the area MCA, Kyalo Mumo.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock, through NARIGP has launched a campaign to raise awareness among farmers in the county about the benefits of joining SACCOs.
The goal of the campaign is to bring together smallholder farmers and Common Interest Groups (CIGs) into SACCOs, enabling them to access affordable credit for adopting advanced technologies, innovations, and management practices.
The County Project Coordinator, Paul Musyimi is spearheading the sensitization efforts, which commenced on Thursday in Mtito-Andei and Kiima Kiu Kalanzoni Wards.
This campaign serves as a precursor to the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), which will collaborate with SACCOs, a departure from NARIGP’s focus on CIGs.
NAVCDP envisions each SACCO having a minimum membership of 600 and a capital threshold of Kshs. 500,000 to qualify for an inclusion grant of Kshs. 1 million, aimed at facilitating office setup.
Musyimi is actively urging all farmers in Makueni to join respective ward-based SACCOs.
On Thursday, the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc Summit held an Extraordinary meeting attended by commissioners from the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) on consultation of the fourth basis of revenue sharing.
During the meeting, the three governors Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni), Julius Malombe (Kitui), and Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) urged that county allocations be adjusted upwards. This will enable the devolved units ably address the myriad of challenges affecting wananchi.
“…The CRA must acknowledge that funds must follow functions, and that the revenue sharing formula must take into consideration the additional risks and pressure on the healthcare that the Bloc faces owing to accidents occurring along the transnational Nairobi-Mombasa Highway…”, read a press statement in part.
The governors resolved to lobby Members of the National Assembly and Senators from the SEKEB Bloc to for a unity of purpose to defend Devolution and champion the SEKEB position when the CRA revenue sharing formula is tabled in Parliament.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has urged investors to consider Makueni County as a prime location for industrial ventures, saying his government is ready to provide land.
Mutula emphasized that such ventures would not only create employment opportunities for local residents but also bolster the national economy.
The governor spoke on Wednesday when he issued a land lease title deed to ENI Kenya Managing Director Enrico Tavolini, marking a tangible commitment by the administration to facilitate the flourishing of industries within the county.
Eni Kenya, the country’s first agri-hub that produces vegetable oil and related bio-products, has already established a factory in Makueni County.
The Kshs. 2 billion plant has over 200 workers, mostly young people from the county.
ENI Kenya has pledged to contribute to community welfare by establishing a maternity facility at Kambi Mawe and providing neo-natal equipment to the Makueni Referral Hospital in Wote as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Wote: April 24, 2024
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr receives a consignment of assorted agricultural chemicals and equipment from the Ministry of Agriculture, in Wote, for pests management and control of crop diseases.
Governor Mutula has directed the Department of Agriculture to set up a rapid response crop protection unit to help farmers manage pests and control crop diseases for enhanced food security.
He was accompanied by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua.
April 23, 2024
MESPT Delegation Applauds Makueni Agriculture School for Innovative Technologies
A high-powered delegation from the Micro Enterprises Programme Trust (MESPT) visited Makueni to assess the Agriculture TVET at Kwa-Kathoka and engage with students on field attachment, as part of their oversight roles for co-funded projects.
These students, sponsored by the County Government of Makueni, ADSE, and MESPT, are part of the inaugural cohort undergoing agricultural courses at the school, expressing hope for a bright future and aspirations to establish their own enterprises.
The 60 trainees are gaining valuable insights from leading agriprenuer enterprises in the county, such as BEFA Feeds, Iviani Farm, RipeGrow Enterprises, Kwa Malika Farm, and Makueni Chicken Queen Enterprise.
The county government, collaborating with like-minded partners, aims to expand the Agricultural school at ATC Kwa-Kathoka to equip more youth with green skills to boost their employability and ensure food security in the region.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday hosted a British High Commission delegation led by Daniel Wilcox, the Economic Counsellor at the High Commission, who paid him a courtesy call in Makueni
The team discussed modalities of joint resource mobilization to promote innovative renewable energy technologies and the transition from grid-powered to solar-powered systems within Makueni County.
One of the identified areas of partnership is setting up a state-of-the-art County Energy Center in Kisingo Technical Training Institute to serve the county and country at large.
The UK PACT team, county officials for Energy & Environment visited Makueni County Referral Hospital to inspect ongoing installation of solar panels that will enable 100% reliance on solar power. This project which is jointly funded by the UK in collaboration with the county government will generate 200 kilowatts and is expected to save power costs for the hospital by Sh 7 million annually.
Meeting with the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds on Issues Raised by the Auditor General Report on Financial Statements of Makueni County Emergency Fund, Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Table Banking, Groups Empowerment Fund and the Makueni Bursary Fund for the Financial years ending 30th June 2019/20,2020/2021and 2021/2022
The intervention was done during the second wave of Covid 19 and just before the Devolution Conference.
The County is in the process of enacting the Bursaries and Scholarships Legislation which has been submitted to the County Assembly awaiting enactment.
The regulations have also been reviewed to give clear guideline on the criteria to be used in Bursaries and Scholarships issuance.
There major interventions after exiting the skewed memorandum.
a) The partnership with World Food Programme has seen the reconstruction of the lending structural aspects of the fund through capacity building.
b) The Fund, in partnership with Safaricom, has set out to co-create a system aimed at digitizing the whole lending experience
c) The Fund through the Department has partnered with Village Enterprise to develop The Makueni County Ultra-Poor Graduation Policy.
d) Enactment of an Empowerment Fund Act
e) Unutilised funds have been put on an interest earning account
Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association games 9th edition winners in:
Ladies Football, Men Volleyball, Ladies Beach Volleyball and Ladies 3×3 Basketball.
Makueni Government takes this as a motivation to invest more in the sports sector to nurture nascent talents and expose them to avenues for sustainable livelihoods.
County Executive Committee Member incharge of sports Eng. Peter Mumo says the county government plans to progressively construct two FIFA Standard sports pitches in strategic locations every year.
This move aims to create a conducive environment for athletes to thrive and elevate the county’s sporting prowess.
The Department of Agriculture and Livestock is currently in the process of crafting an agroecology policy aimed at tackling issues surrounding food safety and security through the integration of agroecology-friendly practices.
The department is collaborating closely with pivotal partners in the sector, including the Cereal Growers Association( CGA), Bio Vision, and ICRAF.
Following a two-day workshop which closes on Thursday, the team concluded the development of a detailed work plan.
The policy’s completion is anticipated by the end of the year.
