News

ENHANCING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH

In an effort to enhance workplace mental health, the Department of Health Services is implementing an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides rehabilitation services and mental health support aimed at boosting productivity and service delivery.

During the International Mental Health Day celebrations at the Mother and Child Hospital, Chief Officer in charge of Health Services Dr. Ndolo emphasized the importance of fostering a sustainable mentally healthy workforce.

Dr. Ndolo urged staff to be vigilant against burnout, cautioning that excessive work can lead to decreased performance. The event was attended by county staff and community member.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SECURES KSH. 264 MILLION FROM MOROCCO FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has secured a Ksh. 264 million partnership deal with the Marrakech-Safi region of Morocco to support various development initiatives in the county.

The agreement was signed during his recent visit to Morocco, where the governor partnered with Samir Goudar, President of the Marrakech-Safi region.

The signing ceremony was also attended by Farid Chourak, the representative of King Mohammed VI and Governor of Marrakech Region, along with seven other regional governors.

This collaboration is funded through the African Fund for International Decentralised Co-operation of Local Authorities (FACDI), which supports decentralized governments across Africa.

Makueni County will receive the Ksh. 264 million in annual installments over the next five years, bolstering its development projects aimed at enhancing the county’s growth and prosperity.

MAKUENI RECEIVES PEST CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES TO BOOST MANGO FARMING.

Makueni County on Wednesday received a donation of pest control technologies from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KePHIS) aimed at helping small-scale mango farmers to effectively manage fruit fly infestations.

The donation includes 1,800 pheromone lures to eliminate Oriental fruit flies, 1,000 protein baits, 900 solarization bags, and 45 augmentorium pit covers to promote better farm sanitation.

These advanced pest control tools are designed to tackle the challenges of pests in mango farming, ensuring compliance with export market standards and improving the competitiveness and credibility of Makueni’s mango products. This initiative will help restore the confidence of international buyers in the county’s produce.

Agriculture CECM Joyce Mutua, who received the donation, was flanked by Japheth Kiminza, the Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development.

Mutua expressed her appreciation to KePHIS, affirming that her department would ensure the technologies are distributed efficiently and used properly by farmers to maximize their impact.

MAKUENI COUNTY HOLDS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR OND RAINS

Makueni County is privileged to host over 60 participants from across Kenya’s 47 Counties, gathered to develop and enhance their search and rescue skills.

17 of Makueni firefighters and emergency responders are undergoing the training at Kyamusoi dam to improve their aqua rescue capabilities.The team of trainees is undergoing water rescue simulations ahead of the October-November-December rains.

Key areas of training include adapted swimming endurance, boatriding, navigation, capsized boat rescue maneuvers, deep water search and rescue rock climbing ropes course, large water incident

The training is a collaboration between the KWS, Government of Makueni County, E plus Ambulance, Community Divers and KRCS.

Makueni was selected as the training ground due to her significant investment in disaster preparedness, equipping the Directorate of Special Programs with adequate water rescue equipment.

6000 FARMERS TO RECEIVE SUNFLOWER SEEDS

Over 6,000 registered farmers across Makueni County will receive sunflower seeds for planting during the October-November- December season.

On Friday Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. flagged off 14,121 kgs of sunflower seeds and will be distributed to the farmers.

The initiative is courtesy of the Edible Oil Promotion Project (EOPP), a national government program by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).

The project aims to reduce the country’s reliance on imported edible oil and enhance local communities’ nutritional needs. Makueni County leads the nation in farmer registration for this project.

Governor Mutula said AFA has committed to supplying sunflower oil extraction machines to the county.

He encouraged more farmers to enroll in the program and take advantage of sunflower’s drought-resistant nature, turning it into a profitable venture through edible oil production.

CECM Agriculture Joyce Mutua advised farmers to buy certified seeds to ensure better yields and minimize potential losses during the upcoming rainy season.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DIRECTS WSPS TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY TO END NON REVENUE WATER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called on Water Service Providers in Makueni to invest in technology to curb the menace of unaccounted water, leading to huge losses and low water supply capacity.

Speaking during a meeting with newly installed Boards of Directors for three WSPs in Kilome, Governor Mutula said the county government will invest in technology such as smart meters, bulk water meters, high-density polyethylene pipes and leakage detectors to reduce non revenue water.

KIBWASCO, one of the leading water supplies company in Kibwezi region has often recorded non revenue water of 63 percent, causing avoidable water shortages in the area.

MAKINDU SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST HEALTH FACILITIES IN MAKUENI.

Makindu Sub-County Hospital is one of the busiest health facilities in Makueni, providing life-saving care not only to Makueni residents but also to patients from neighboring counties, including Kajiado, Taita Taveta, and Kitui.

Strategically located along the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, the hospital frequently handles road traffic accident victims.

Recognizing this challenge, the County Government established a state-of-the-art trauma center at the hospital.

This development enhances the hospital’s capacity to deliver timely and specialized care to patients in critical condition. The Ministry of Health

MAKUENI TOURISM BOOTH TAKES CENTER STAGE AT MAGICAL KENYA EXPO.

Makueni County is participating in this year’s MagicalKenya Travel Expo, which kicked off on Wednesday in Nairobi.

Makueni’s booth has garnered significant attention, with visitors eager to learn more about the county’s unique tourist destinations, the scenic views, vibrant Akamba culture and available travel packages.

The exhibition was launched by President William Samoei Ruto and has drawn over 300 exhibitors, 160 buyers and more than 70 global media outlets, and seeks to offer a prime platform for the country to showcase its rich cultural heritage and diverse tourism offerings.

The theme of the 3-day expo is “Explore, Connect, Celebrate,” and highlights Makueni’s efforts to boost tourism and promote local attractions.

MAKUENI COUNTY DISABILITY POLICY DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports, and Social Services on Wednesday held a stakeholders’ engagement forum to review the draft Makueni County Disability Policy.

The forum, supported by Women Challenged to Challenge and the United Disabled Persons of Kenya, aimed to address the needs and concerns of people living with disabilities in the county.

Key discussions focused on inclusivity, the welfare of persons with disabilities, and the protection of their rights, in a bid to improve outcomes for the disabled community.

MAKUENI HOSTS 46 COUNTIES FOR LEARNING MISSION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday hosted 46 counties for the Climate Compatible Growth Conference, aimed at promoting peer-to-peer learning on the productive use of renewable energy and strengthening climate resilience.

The conference, organized by the Council of Governors in partnership with UK PACT, brings together County Executive Committee Members (CECs) and Directors in charge of energy for a three-day learning mission in Makueni County.

Kericho County’s Energy CEC, Rosemary Rop, who also serves as the Chairperson for the Energy CECs caucus, said many counties struggle with building capacity to tackle energy challenges, and need practical guidance in transforming policies into viable solutions.

The conference follows the recent launch of Makueni’s 10-year energy plan, which is designed to guide the development and implementation of sustainable and affordable energy solutions for residents.

Governor Mutula, who officially opened the conference in Wote, noted that Makueni had already begun implementing the solarization project at the Makueni Referral Hospital prior to the launch of the energy plan.

The governor encouraged delegates to prioritize actionable outcomes from the energy policy documents, reminding them that the public is eager to see real development results.

“It is not enough to have sound policies, plans and budgets, what will matter to the citizen is the development outcomes from these policy documents. There must therefore be a deliberate effort to ensure development,” said Governor Mutula.