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RELIEF FOR NGUUMO RESIDENTS AS COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WHH COMMISSION KWA KAWAWA WATER PROJECT.

It is a sweet relief to over 5,000 residents of Nguumo ward who will nolonger trek 7 km to Makindu town to get water, following commissioning of Kwa Kawawa Water Projet.

The project, whose source is a borehole drilled by the county government and distributed by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) for 25Km covers 16 villages in the formerly water stressed area. The distribution system is fitted with solar power to reduce operational costs while ensuring sustainability.

10 water access points have been installed along the 25Km pipeline at Kwa Mailu, Kwa Kimeu, Mlaleo, Kikauni, Wayona, Kilema, Vumbute, Makutano, Mulangi, and Mutantheu. Kilema, Kilongoni and Wayona primary schools have also been connected.

The project was commissioned on Wednesday by Executive Committee Members Japheth Mang’oka (Devolution), John Kieti (Water) and Sebastian Kyoni (Roads) together with officers from WHH.

RELIEF FOR NGUU/MASUMBA RESIDENTS AS IMPLEMENTATION OF MUTHYAMWII WATER PROJECT BEGINS

Residents of Nguu/Masumba Ward are set to benefit from improved access to clean and safe water following the official handing over of the Muthyamwii Water Project site to a contractor by the Makueni County Climate Change Unit.

The project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme, seeks to address persistent shortages that have forced community members to travel long distances in search of water for domestic and livestock use. The intervention is expected to enhance water security, improve public health and support climate resilience in one of the county’s drought-prone areas.

The project will involve drilling of a borehole and distribution to surrounding to the vulnerable community. Once completed, the project is expected to benefit more than 200 households through reliable access to clean water while creating opportunities for irrigation, kitchen gardening and other productive uses.

The initiative, according to Makueni Climate Change Director Jackline Kamusa, is also expected to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases, improve household nutrition and support agricultural productivity, helping the community adapt to the impacts of recurrent droughts and erratic rainfall.

RELIEF FOR KASIKEU RESIDENTS AS LUMU BOREHOLE BRINGS SAFE WATER TO THOUSANDS

Over 2,000 residents of Lumu and Kalimbini in Kasikeu Ward now have access to safe and clean water, thanks to a partnership between the Makueni County Government and WHH.

For years, the residents endured severe water shortages due to the inadequacies of the Nolturesh water supply. Today, they enjoy reliable access to fresh water from the newly completed Lumu borehole, which now serves the community at the last mile.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, accompanied by Water ECM John Kieti, area MCA Reuben Nzai, and WHH officials, commissioned the project on Thursday. The borehole project features six kiosks fitted with digital meters to promote transparency in governance and reduce non-revenue water losses.

The initiative is part of a broader partnership between WHH and the County Government of Makueni to enhance water distribution from high-yielding sources, advancing the Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda championed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

RELIEF FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AS COUNTY GOVERNMENT EASES FINANCIAL BURDEN

Business owners in Makueni County can now pay for permits and licenses in installments, following the enactment of the 2024 Finance Act.

Finance Executive Damaris Kavoi announced the changes during a market outreach at Emali Bus Park on Wednesday, where she also revealed discounts for timely compliance. As part of the incentives, small and medium-sized enterprises will enjoy a 10% discount on their unified invoice bills, while large businesses will receive a 5% discount.

The outreach event also brought good news to tenants of Emali Bus Park and the modern market stalls. Their rent has been reduced, and have also been granted a 50% waiver on arrears accrued during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These measures, effective from December 1, 2024, aim to ease financial strain on businesses and enhance revenue collection efficiency.

Kavoi, however, decried low compliance in property rates and unregistered plots, urging property owners to clear arrears and provide required data to improve service delivery.

The measures reflect Governor Mutula’s continued efforts to foster a conducive business environment while enhancing revenue mobilisation to fund critical services and development projects.

RELIEF AT LAST: COUNTY UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE STEPS IN FOR AILING ELDER

Janet Mutindi, 32, a mother of three from Kamunyulo Village in Wote/Nziu Ward, has every reason to smile after her family received a lifeline through the county’s health coverage initiative.

Since marrying her husband in 2017, Mutindi has been caring for her father-in-law, who has been battling a persistent cough that at times leads to vomiting. The family has struggled to raise the surgery fees recommended by doctors, leaving them anxious and financially strained.

However, on Tuesday, the administration of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. came to their rescue.

Through a household assessment conducted by all the clusters, Mutindi’s father-in-law was identified as one of the beneficiaries of the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) program currently being rolled out across the county.

He is among many vulnerable residents targeted under the ongoing mass Social Health Authority (SHA) registration and the county’s universal health coverage program, which aims to cushion needy households from the vagaries of difficult economic times.

RELIEF AT LAST: AILING MOTHER FINDS HOPE IN COUNTY HEALTH COVER

Battling cancer during a harsh economic period is a double burden that many families are struggling to bear,even worse if it takes to selling household belongings to settle hospital bills.

For Eunice Syombua from Muvau, a mother of two secondary school children, the battle has been particularly difficult. She has been fighting leukemia and receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital, where she attends medical check-ups every three weeks.

The long journey to recovery has come with weighty financial strain.

Syombua notes that although she was registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), her cover had not been active recently.

This forced her to sell her herd of cattle to settle medical bills that now amount to hundreds of thousands of shillings.

Doctors have advised her against engaging in strenuous activities, including household chores, leaving her dependent on the support of her elderly husband.

During the cluster assessment, Syombua was selected to benefit from the universal health coverage programme. She commended Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for what she described as a brilliant health financing initiative, saying the support will allow her to focus on recovery and caring for her children without the constant fear of mounting hospital debts.

The mass registration exercise will continue until Friday this week.

Rehabilitation of Wote Estates Roads Kicks off

The Department of Transport and Infrastructure in Makueni has launched a two-week Estate Roads rehabilitation program in Wote town to ease transportation and open up the areas for business opportunities.
The program entails grading, murraming and compacting of the targeted roads. By end of the two weeks, the department will have graded 29km of road network.
County Executive Committee Member for Transport Sebastian Kyoni flanked by Wote Ward MCA Felix Mateso and Wote Municipality Manager Joseph Katumo flagged off the exercise on Wednesday.
Some of the Estates targeted for opening up include Town area, Shimo, Calosci, Nguumo/Malawi, Kundakindu, Slaughter, Westlands, Kasarani and Bangladesh.
Kyoni said the county government is in talks with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for partnership to progressively upgrade the roads to bitumen standards.

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.