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REHABILITATION OF THREE WATER SOURCES SET TO ALLEVIATE WATER WOES IN WOTE TOWN.

Residents of Wote town are looking up to taps running 24/7 with clean, reliable and sufficient water at low cost.

The county government with support of one of her development partners, USAID, has embarked on rehabilitation of three water sources around Wote, aiming to increase daily supply capacity from 2,500 cubic meters to meet the current demand of 4,500 cubic meters.

Through Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) Programme, the county government and USAID on Wednesday handed to contractors sites for solar power installation, piping and distribution of Kaiti 2 sand dam water project; installation of solar power for Mwaani borehole. At Kamunyolo dam, a 300 cubic meters sump will be constructed to increase the treatment capacity.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who hosted a delegation of STAWI officials earlier said it is regrettable that Wote town still struggles with water challenges, 32 years after it was inaugurated as Makueni District headquarters. He said his administration will ensure the county capital becomes an investment hub with all necessary amenities, including sufficient water supply.

REHABILITATION OF NGOSINI CONCRETE DAM KICKS OFF ON A HIGH NOTE

Agriculture and Water Executives Joyce Mutua and Engineer John Kieti respectively on Monday graced the groundbreaking ceremony for the rehabilitation of Ngosini Dam. This event signals the official start of the rehabilitation project, with all necessary machinery and experts from the county government already on-site, indicating a swift and efficient commencement.

Upon completion, the 67,000 cubic meter dam is expected to bring substantial benefits to 640 households in Muvau Kikumini and Mavindini Wards through irrigation. This development holds the promise of enhancing local agriculture, ensuring water access, and ultimately improving the overall quality of life for the communities involved.

The funding for this vital project comes from the World Bank through the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP), in collaboration with Makueni County Government. This partnership underscores the commitment to sustainable development and addressing key issues related to water resources and agriculture in the region.

REHABILITATION OF MAKASA ROAD

Kwa Kiamba – Makasa AIC – Kwa Tumbo – Ngula Road in Nguu/Masumba Ward, a vital 4.5-kilometer route in an agricultural area, has been rehabilitated to improve accessibility and support local livelihoods. Previously impassable during rains and dusty in dry seasons, the road hindered transportation of farm produce to markets.

The project included bush clearing, heavy grading, gravelling with watering and compaction, installation of 64 meters of culverts, which is ongoing and construction of 500 meters of catch water drains. The “road for water” concept will reduce soil erosion and provide water for agriculture.

Roads and Infrastructure Executive Eng. Peter Mumo, accompanied by project committee members, the contractor, and staff, on Wednesday inspected the works. This initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr‘s vision of improving road networks to enhance connectivity and access to services across Makueni County.

REHABILITATION OF KWA KAKUI EARTH DAM TRANSFORMS LIVELIHOODS IN MUKAA WARD

Residents of Mukaa Ward in Kilome Sub-county are witnessing a remarkable transformation following the rehabilitation and expansion of Kwa Kakui Earth Dam under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

The once silted and unreliable water source has been desilted and expanded by 8,000 cubic meters, with the spillway reinforced through stone pitching to enhance its durability. A solar-powered water treatment system, comprising a flocculation unit, sedimentation tanks, filtration, and chlorination, has been installed to ensure safe water for household use.

One of the key beneficiaries is Maiani Girls Secondary School, where students now enjoy reliable access to clean water for sanitation, drinking, and learning—significantly improving school hygiene and academic performance.

This project stands as a shining example of how Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr leadership is steering Makueni County toward climate resilience through smart, community-driven water investments

Regenerative Agriculture for improved food security

With the adverse effects of climate change, especially in Ukambani, many farmers are glaring at looming food insecurity.
 
However, this is not the case for 180 farmers drawn from various wards in Makueni County, who have adopted Regenerative Agriculture (RA), through , ‘ Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya’, an ongoing program that is being spearheaded by the County Government of Makueni through the department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock Fisheries and Cooperative Development in partnership with  Alliance for Green Revolution Africa  (AGRA) and Cereal Growers Association ( CGA).
Regenerative Agriculture is a system of farming principles and practices that seeks to rehabilitate and enhance the entire ecosystem of the farm by placing a heavy premium on soil health with attention also paid to water management, fertilizer use, and more.
The 180 farmers who are also the Village Based Advisors( VBA)have been capacity built through training, peer to peer activities and farm demonstrations on RA principles.
Some of the principles include conservation tillage, minimum soil disturbance, rotation and crop covers, and diversity.
 
The VBAs are in turn cascading the RA knowledge to other farmers at the village levels, with an aim of enhancing food security at household levels.
 
The program is targeting to reach out to 30, 000 farmers directly through the VBA extension model.

REFORMED GUM CUTTER LEADS FIGHT AGAINST OUTDATED PRACTICE IN KIBWEZI.

For two decades, Leah Kitheka, now 63, carried out the painful traditional practice of gum cutting on children in her Sub Location of Mbui Nzau. With roughly 150 children subjected to the harmful procedure under her hands, Leah once believed she was offering help. Today, she is on a mission to right the wrong.

Driven by awareness and remorse, Leah now moves from home to home, urging mothers to seek medical care for teething issues instead of resorting to unsafe traditional methods.

Leah is among several reformed gum cutters empowered by the Makueni County Government to become champions of child health and protect future generations from the trauma she once inflicted.

On Thursday, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili led a powerful forum at Kibwezi Sub-County Hospital, bringing together over 500 young women including pregnant mothers, community health promoters, and former gum cutters for a sensitization session aimed at ending gum cutting for good.

Mulili also announced plans to introduce a county policy that will outlaw the brutal practice ,often carried out using sharp objects like nails, razor blades, and bicycle spokes, and promote safer healthcare interventions for infants.

To support the reformed cutters in their new journey, Mulili presented them with 100 one-week-old chicks and poultry feed for two months ,a small but meaningful step toward helping them build alternative livelihoods and continue being voices of transformation in their villages.

READY TO DRINK KALAMBA JUICE LAUNCHED

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Sunday officially launched the ready-to-drink Kalamba fruit juice during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Matiliku, Makueni Sub-County.

Governor Kilonzo announced that the County will continue to sell mango puree locally and for export, while the remaining produce will be processed into ready-to-drink juice.

Agriculture County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Joyce Mutua disclosed that the Kalamba production line has been linked to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) stamp duty system, and the final product has received full certification from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

She said the County has implemented a quality assurance program to ensure consistent product quality. Additionally, a distribution point for the juice has been established at Green Park, Wote, with plans to stock it in supermarkets and various points of sale soon.

Mutua further noted that the County has identified value-chain champions in every Ward to support mango farmers by facilitating the off-take of their produce at designated aggregation centres.

To regulate the mango trade, all mango buyers in Makueni will now be required to obtain a movement permit, in addition to paying cess, to ensure fair distribution of trade across all areas.

RAW TALENT ON DISPLAY AT MKJ SUPA CUP

The MKJ Supa Cup Sub-county finals concluded on Sunday with amazing raw talents in football, volleybal and basketball on display.

The tournament, Makueni’s biggest sporting competition, now moves to the final stage–the County Finals, slated for 29th-30th March, 2025 in Wote.

Over Kshs 2M in cash prizes are up for grabs at the finals.