News

GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR ON TUESDAY MORNING HOSTED A DELEGATION OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM NEPAL.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday morning hosted a delegation of government officials from Nepal for a peer-to-peer learning on Makueni’s Devolved Climate Financing. Makueni has implemented a robust community driven climate change resilience building strategy where the community identifies climate risks and resilience action plans.

900 community members who form the ward climate change planning committees act as ambassadors of climate change at the community level.

INDIAN RESEARCH SCIENTIST PROF. RAJENDRAN JOINED GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. ON TUESDAY AS HE HOSTED A TEAM FROM THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA (NPI).

Indian research scientist Prof. Rajendran joined Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday as he hosted a team from the National Museums of Kenya (NPI). The meeting focused on finding ways to turn indigenous knowledge into practical innovations that can be marketed.

The visit comes after the completion of the indigenous knowledge documentation in Makueni County. It also sets the stage for the upcoming international investment conference, where key Kamba cultural assets will be showcased to potential investors.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH AIC CURE HOSPITAL AND ARD TO BOOST PEDIATRIC CARE, WATER GOVERNANCE, AND CLIMATE ACTION.

On Monday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two key organizations: AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya and ARD, a prime contractor for USAID’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program.

AIC Cure Children’s Hospital of Kenya, a Christian non-profit organization, specializes in pediatric surgical care, focusing on children with physical and neurological disabilities.

This partnership aims to enhance the provision of ortho-pediatric surgeries and rehabilitation services for children with corrective physical disabilities at the Makueni County Referral Hospital and Makindu Sub-County Hospital.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration to improve access to these essential healthcare services.

Additionally, the county has entered into a partnership with ARD (WASH-FIN2) to bolster governance in the water and sanitation sector, improve service delivery, and mobilize financing for the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

Makueni County is currently implementing FLLoCA activities, which aim to establish a national model for decentralizing funds to counties and empowering local communities to have a greater influence in addressing climate-related challenges.

TRANSITION TO SOCIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

Government of Makueni County through the Department of Health Services, has signed an agreement with the Social Health Authority (SHA) for the provision of health services across all public health facilities within the county. This agreement marks the smooth transition of services from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, effective 1st October 2024. From this date, all county health facilities will offer services according to the SHA benefits package.

Residents of Makueni are encouraged to continue self-registering for SHA by dialing *147# and following the prompts or by visiting the SHA website at www.sha.go.ke. For those requiring assistance, support is available at any Level 4 hospital or SHA (formerly NHIF) offices throughout the county.

Additionally, the county is in the process of training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to assist residents with self-registration at the household level.

Makueni County will continue to register and provide services under the MakueniCare initiative, as outlined in the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy.

Dr. Paul Musila

County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Health Services

Makueni County

MAKUENI MARKS WORLD CONTRACEPTION DAY 2024 IN EMALI.

Hundreds of women and girls gathered in Emali town on Thursday to undergo clinical screenings for diabetes and hypertension as they marked world contraception day.

The event, organized by the Makueni County Government in collaboration with various partners, aimed to empower women and girls by providing information and resources on contraceptive options.

Dr. Harvey Mulei, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource Management and Administration, led the celebrations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every pregnancy is planned and wanted.

He also noted that Emali Hospital has been upgraded and gazetted as a Level 4 facility, with plans underway to establish a surgical theater and install additional medical equipment.

Dr. Mulei further pledged that the county would mobilize more resources and secure funding to enhance access to quality contraceptive services.

He urged residents along the Mombasa-Nairobi highway to remain vigilant against mpox.

Additionally, Dr. Mulei encouraged locals to register for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), which will replace the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) starting October 1st, to ensure access to medical services.

THE GRAND OPENING OF A MODERN TRUCK STOP IN SULTAN HAMUD.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili has urged the Kenyan government to step in and facilitate the safe return of Florence Wanza Munyao, a Kenyan truck driver allegedly abducted amid military conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Speaking at the grand opening of a modern truck stop in Sultan Hamud, Mulili highlighted the significance of women participating in long-distance driving, emphasizing that the profession is about skill, not gender. She added that women excelling in this field demonstrate equity, inclusion, and participation.

Supastop, constructed by real estate developer Superior Homes, offers essential services to long-distance drivers, including accommodation, restaurants, a fuel station, washrooms, and secure parking.

Mulili remarked that the modern facility is more than just a business venture, calling it a milestone in the county’s economic development.

Shiv Arora, CEO of Superior Homes, stated that the new facility also represents a major advancement in infrastructure and logistics.

Sultan Hamud is a critical hub for truck drivers, with an estimated 300 trucks parking along the road each night.

The event was attended by Dr. Sonia Nzilani, County Executive Member for Trade, and Superior Homes Managing Director Ian Henderson, among other dignitaries.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR RECEIVES DELEGATION FROM NUTRITION INTERNATIONAL.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili welcomed a high-level delegation from Nutrition International, led by the organization’s Vice President of Program Operations, Dr. Paula Tanaglia.

The delegation was in Makueni to assess the progress of ongoing nutrition programs and more specific on Adolescent Health and Nutrition program that supports adolescent girls and boys in the county.

Nutrition International has partnered with Makueni County to implement a comprehensive health and nutrition program aimed at improving the health of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, newborns, children under five, and adolescents.

The Adolescent health and nutrition initiative involves a collaboration between the Ministry of Education, the Departments of Health Services, Teacher Service Commission and Gender by providing adolescents with Nutrition education and weekly iron and folic acid supplements (WIFS) to boost their feeding practices and avert anaemia and its symptoms among the girls.

The program is currently being implemented in 590 schools across the County.

Program coordinators reported significant improvements in adolescent health and nutrition, as well as enhanced academic performance among girls and a reduction in absenteeism in schools among others.

Mulili expressed her appreciation for the partnership and announced plans to increase budget allocations to expand the program further.

In addition to the nutrition initiative, Nutrition International has also partnered with the county to implement gender mainstreaming in adolescent health and nutrition, a program spearheaded by the deputy governor.

The initiative has been piloted in 20 schools across Kaiti, Makueni, Mbooni, and Kibwezi West sub-counties.

Dr. Paula Tanaglia, Nutrition International’s Vice President of Program Operations, expressed her delight at witnessing the positive impact the program has had on the children.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ISSUES KSHS. 9 MILLION IN GRANTS TO BOOST LOCAL SACCOS OPERATIONS.

Nine SACCOs from various wards in Makueni County have received Kshs. 9 million in grants from Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The grants will help the SACCOs establish office operations and improve financial management through proper bookkeeping.

NAVCDP, funded by the World Bank, will support small-scale farmers involved in the mango, apiary, dairy, poultry, and tomato value chains, to transition from production to market access.

On Wednesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. issued the grants and also inaugurated 30 Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs).

The committees are designed to foster improved governance and strengthen community participation in local development initiatives.

The governor also distributed ten motorcycles to agricultural extension officers, to ease their mobility for effective service delivery to farmers.

Governor Mutula reiterated his administration’s commitment to support farmers in the county, to access good markets for their produce.

The event was also graced by CECMs Joyce Mutua and Damaris Kavoi, (Agriculture and Finance), Deputy Speaker Francis Mulwa, Majority Leader Kisungi Wa Katete, Area MCA Elizabeth Kawembe, other 15 MCAs and National and County government officials.

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.

NGUUMO RESIDENTS ENDORSE KYANDULU-NDOVOINI WATER PROJECT.

Residents of Nguumo Ward have unanimously endorsed implementation of Kyandulu-Itangini-Kibarani-Ndovoini water project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is among 13 across the county identified by wananchi through a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment for climate change resilience building.

In a public participation forum held at Kiundwani Chief’s camp, the residents denounced suggestions by some local leaders to distribute water from Kyandulu borehole in one subward, saying it would disadvantage their neighbours.

The Sh 10M project is set to distribute water to more than 6,000 residents in the Last Mile Water Connectivity progamme, geared towards bridging the 30,000 cubic meters water supply gap per day in the county.