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AFRICA’S FIRST UNIFIED FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

Under 12 Unified football teams battle it out in the first ever Special Olympics Unified football tournament for girls in Africa. The tournament staged in Wote, Makueni, aims at giving opportunities to intellectually challenged individuals to grow their nascent talents.

The tournament is co-sponsored by the County Government of Makueni and International sports aparel manufacturer NIKE through Special Olympics Kenya

Kibwezi West Girls Unified Football team is the champion of the first edition of the Special Olympics Unified Football competition in Africa held in Makueni.

Finals of the competition successfully came to close on Sunday and graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and County Commissioner Henry Wafula.

Six teams composed of under 18 girls and six of those above 18 participated in the 2-day finals held in Wote.

Each of the six subcounties was represented by a senior and a junior team being the champions from Ward and Sub- county competitions.

Governor Mutula termed this tourney an important tool for inculcating societal inclusivity by according those living with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to grow their talents.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI OFFICIALLY OPENS THE INAUGURAL UNIFIED SPORTS TOURNAMENT

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has officially inaugurated the First Edition of the Unified Sports Tournament at KMTC grounds in Wote, Makueni.

The tourney spans two days and is hosting 132 athletes, consisting of 72 individuals with intellectual disabilities, 60 unified partners and 24 coaches.

The event is a collaborative effort between the Government of Makueni County and Nike through Special Olympics to promote female participation in sports among those with intellectual disabilities.

Teams will compete for various awards including cash prizes and trophies.

Notable officials present at the event include Glen Cundari from Coach +, Jeff Lahart from Special Olympics International, as well as Susan Masila from Special Olympics Kenya.

MAKUENI TO HOST THE FIRST EVER UNIFIED SPORTS TOURNAMENT

Makueni is set to host the first ever Unified Sports tournament in Africa.

The tournament to be staged in Wote town, Makueni on 9th and 10th March, 2024 features 12 female football teams drawn from across the county.

Unified sports is a program that comprise a mix of an equal number of athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without intellectual disabilities on the same team for training and competition

The unified sports program is jointly sponsored by sport apparel manufacturer, Nike, through Special Olympics Kenya and aims at promoting inclusivity, foster understanding and support for persons with intellectual disabilities within the community.

The sport is also meant to encourage participation of female athletes specially with intellectual disabilities in sports.

The partnership between Makueni County and Nike was agreed upon in Berlin, Germany, during the 2023 Special Olympic games where Makueni largely represented the country and won a huge tally of medals.

MAKUENI HAS RELEASED 100 YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE JOB MARKET AFTER A YEAR-LONG HANDS-ON TRAINING THROUGH INTERNSHIPS.

The interns were placed in different county departments immediately after graduation to hone their skills and prepare for career progression.

Before their exit, the interns were on Thursday taken through a mentorship exercise including idea pitching, presentation skills, and mental health counselling.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for ICT,  Education, and Internship Elizabeth Muli presided over the event held at the Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Center.

Present also was CECM Lands, CECM Trade the chief officer of Education, and the Internship and Mentorship directorate who shared words of wisdom with the hopeful professionals. 

KATHONZWENI DEVELOPMENT TOUR

Govenor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr commissions Kwa Mbila earth dam solar power project during his development tour of Kathonzweni Ward.

The 11,760 watts solar system replaces a diesel powered water pump which supplies water to 23 villages in Kathonzweni and Kitise/Kithuki wards. The project serves 13,500 beneficiaries.

GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEILS WATER PROJECTS FOR IMPROVED ACCESS IN KATHONZWENI WARD

During a working tour of Kathonzweni Ward on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. commissioned several projects to improve access to clean water for domestic use and irrigation. These projects include a solar power system at the Kwa Mbila earth dam, Itumbule and Milute boreholes.

The governor also unveiled a backhoe that will facilitate surface run-off water harvesting through construction of water pans. Residents will benefit from this initiative at a cost of only Shs 2,500 per hour, which covers fuel expenses. 

In the Financial Year 2024/25, the Department of Water and Sanitation plans to connect atleast 1,000 households per ward to clean and safe water by implementing the last mile water infrastructure programme. 

This initiative will increase the proportion of rural households accessing piped water from 30% to 50% and urban households from 7,939 HHs in 2022 to 10,920 HHs in 2025.

MAKUENI COUNTY PARTNERS WITH KCB TO BOOST FINANCIAL INCLUSION EFFORTS

Makueni County is set to benefit from an enhanced partnership with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) focused on improving banking solutions and uplifting the lives of residents.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Thursday hosted a delegation of KCB top managers led by David Nyamu, General Manager Corporate Banking, for consultations on the partnership.

One of the major initiatives discussed was the Mifugo ni Mali program, which seeks to provide funding and financial training to local farmers. Additionally, KCB plans to introduce a program dubbed 2Jiajiri, designed to promote self-employment and enterprise development among the youth.