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INSPECTION OF WAREHOUSES TO IMPROVE STORAGE AND MARKET ACCESS IN MAKUENI.

{WOTE}Tuesday, August 20, 2024

The Ministry of Trade and Investment, through the Warehouse Receipt System Council-Kenya (WRS), is set to embark on a pre-inspection exercise of warehouses across Makueni County.

The initiative is designed to support local grain farmers by ensuring that storage facilities meet the necessary standards for accreditation.

The plan was discussed during a meeting held on Tuesday between WRS officials and Makueni County Executive Committee Members Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture, and Tourism) and Joyce Mutua (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development).

The pre-inspection exercise will assess whether the warehouses are equipped to store grain under optimal conditions, a critical factor in securing WRS accreditation.

Dr. Sonia Nzilani said that establishing proper grain storage facilities is key to mitigating food security risks and stabilizing grain prices within the county.

The move is expected to significantly benefit local farmers by improving storage options and market access.

WRS officials are scheduled to inspect warehouses in several key locations, including Wote, Mukuyuni, Thange, Kibwezi, and Kilome.

In addition to the inspections, warehouse operators will receive training to enhance their understanding of storage requirements.

Warehouses that pass the inspection will receive accreditation certificates from the WRS Council. These accredited warehouses will then be authorized to issue legal documents to farmers, enabling them to use stored grain as collateral when seeking loans from financial institutions.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS BOREHOLE IN WOTE

August 20, 2024

The Kenya Red Cross Society is set to launch a new partnership with the County Government of Makueni for a comprehensive project designed to improve the living standards of local residents. The initiative will address critical areas including health, water, sanitation (WASH) and food security.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society during a briefing with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. when he paid a courtesy call on him at his Wote office on Tuesday.

Dr. Idris observed that, despite a long-standing collaboration with the Makueni County Government, there are still critical gaps that need addressing. He noted that it has been long since the Red Cross undertook a major project in Makueni and expressed a strong commitment to reverse the trend.

Dr. Idris also pointed out concerns about the inadequate trauma care in local hospitals and offered to assist the County Government in building the capacity of medical personnel to better manage trauma cases.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed this proposal, emphasizing its timeliness, particularly in light of the frequent road accidents on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway that have significantly impacted Makueni.

Later on, Governor Kilonzo, alongside Dr. Idris, commissioned a borehole rehabilitated by the County Government at the Red Cross offices in Wote. The borehole, which has a capacity of 3,000 litres per hour, will provide a reliable source of clean water for the Red Cross premises and nearby government offices, enhancing water accessibility for the local community.

The event was also attended by Devolution CECM, Japheth Mang’oka and Water Chief Officer, Eng. Julius Makau.

MAKUENI PARTNERS WITH PATH TO BOOST OXYGEN PLANT MAINTENANCE SKILLS

The Makueni Department of Health Services has collaborated with PATH to enhance the skills of biomedical engineering technologists across the county hospitals in operating and maintaining Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology.

This five-day intensive training program emphasizes the critical importance of occupational health and safety in oxygen plant setups.

It also equips participants with essential skills in operating and maintaining oxygen plants, including troubleshooting and repair procedures.

This initiative is part of the county’s ongoing efforts to improve healthcare infrastructure and ensure the reliability of life-saving oxygen supply systems.

COMMUNITY CALLS FOR STRATEGIC WATER DISTRIBUTION TO ENHANCE ACCESS.

August 19, 2024

Residents of the Nzaui/Kilili/Kalamba ward have called on the County Government to focus on extending water distribution from existing water points to more accessible locations, rather than creating new sources. This request was made during a public participation forum for the 2025/26 Annual Development Plan (ADP) held on Monday at AIC Matiliku Central.

Some of the proposed water distribution projects include Kilinga Water Spring, Kaiani Borehole, and Yanthooko Water Sump. These initiatives aim to improve access to water for both domestic and irrigation purposes within the ward.

The County Government continues to prioritize community input in its development planning, ensuring that decisions are responsive to the needs of residents. Public participation forums were conducted in all 30 wards across the county to capture and address the diverse needs of the community.

The public participation forum was graced by the Chief Officer for Socio-Economic Planning Boniface Mutua.

COURTESY CALL BY AUDITORS FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Wote, 19th August 2024.

A team of auditors from the Office of the Commissioner of Cooperative Development commenced their 10-day tour of duty in Makueni today with a courtesy call to the Office of the Executive Committee Member (ECM) for Agriculture livestock,Fisheries and Cooperatives development, Joyce Mutua.

The auditors are in Makueni to conduct a forensic audit and inquiry into Kilimo Services Sacco Society Limited. This investigation follows a request by the Members of the Sacco to the County Government to assist them in carrying out audit after allegations of mismanagement and embezzlement by the Sacco’s leadership led to the near-collapse of the giant Sacco, which boasts a membership of 16,000 members.

The inquiry will focus on:

Auditing the Sacco’s by-laws.

Evaluating the working and financial conditions of the Sacco.

Investigating the conduct of current and past management and committee members of Kilimo Sacco Society Limited, in accordance with Section 58, read together with Section 73 of the Cooperative Societies Act, Cap. 490, Laws of Kenya.

During the meeting, Joyce Mutua expressed her confidence in the audit team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Cooperatives CPA Peter Wanjohi Kiama, Principal Cooperative Auditor Silars Okoth Dede, and Senior ICT Officer Michael Maigwa. She assured that the truth would be uncovered and that those responsible for the mismanagement of the Sacco’s resources would be held accountable.

This inquiry follows a Baraza held last thursday by Sacco members, where leaders, including ECM Agriculture Joyce Mutua, Makueni County assembly Speaker Hon. Douglas Mbilu, and MCA for Nzaui Kilili Kalamba Ward Francis Mutuku among other leaders, assured members that justice would be served, and all responsible parties would be held to account for the lost resources.

The morning meeting was attended by Chief Officer of Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Japheth Kimimza, Director of Cooperatives Munene Mwiindi, and Director of Administration Esther Kivindyo.

REVENUE PERFORMANCE

Enhanced Own-Source Revenue (OSR) is vital for improving local services and development. It allows the county to fund key projects like healthcare, education, and infrastructure independently, leading to better, more timely initiatives that meet local needs.

Higher OSR also boosts the county’s financial autonomy, promoting sustainable growth and reducing reliance on national funding.

#FY2023/24FinancialPerformance

SENATE COMMITTEE LAUDS GOVERNOR MUTULA FOR LEGAL COMPLIANCE AND DIVERSITY IN COUNTY EMPLOYMENT.

August 16, 2024

The Senate’s National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration Committee has praised Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. for his compliance with legal requirements in human resource management and his commitment to promoting equal employment opportunities in the county.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. reported that the county’s workforce consists of 61% female and 39% male employees, with 27% of the workforce under 35 years of age. This distribution demonstrates the county’s dedication to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and empowering the youth.

Hon. Mohammed Chute Said, the committee chair, praised the inclusion of young people into the county’s workforce as a key step toward securing the county’s future and fulfilling government employment legal mandates.

The committee also commended the County Government for its efforts to empower the youth through initiatives such as agri-preneurship, providing equal opportunities in online procurement, and offering vocational training programs.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. presented this information during his meeting with the Senate Committee on Friday. He was accompanied by the County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi, CECM Finance Damaris Kavoi, and County Public Service Board Chairperson Dr. Nicodemus Muteti.

DR. VICTORIA KYALO, CHIEF OFFICER FOR AGRICULTURE, PARTICIPATED IN A TRAINING SESSION FOR FARMER SERVICE CENTRE (FSC).

August 14th, 2024.

Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Chief Officer for Agriculture, participated in a training session for Farmer Service Centre (FSC) providers at Kusyombunguo. Organized by the Makueni County Government and the World Food Program (WFP).

This event aims to enhance collaboration among agricultural stakeholders, including farmers, agro-input dealers, and marketers, focusing on value chains like mangoes, citrus, poultry, horticulture, aquaculture, and apiculture.

Dr. Kyalo emphasized the county’s dedication to supporting these stakeholders, ensuring that they can effectively assist farmers in improving production and market linkages. The session saw the first cohort of 25 FSC providers, with a second cohort of 28 set to join later in the week.

Later, Dr. Kyalo, alongside Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza, opened a report writing retreat for the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) at Shushan Hotel Makindu.

Dr. Kyalo was accompanied by Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti among other officials.

MAKUENI SELF-SERVICE PORTAL TO EASE PAYMENT OF FEES BY BUSINESS PEOPLE.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County is set to launch a self-service portal to simplify the payment of fees and charges for traders and businesspeople, Finance County Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi has announced.

The self-service portal will enable business owners to efficiently manage their transactions from the comfort of their own homes. 

Through this platform, they will be able to register their businesses, view invoices and customer statements, make payments and access permits and licences without the need for in-person visits.

The new system represents a major upgrade from the current process, which involves manual intervention and has been slow and costly.

CEC Kavoi spoke in Wote on Wednesday during a media briefing on the County performance for the Financial Year 2023-2024.

In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Makueni County allocated 30% of its annual procurement budget to youth, women, and people with disabilities, fostering inclusivity, affirmative action and entrepreneurship.

The County Government also allocated over 40% of its annual procurement budget to local contractors, significantly exceeding the 20% threshold mandated by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. This allocation aimed to strengthen local businesses and create job opportunities.

CEC Kavoi was accompanied by Chief Officers Boniface Mutua and John Nguni and directors from the County Treasury.

MAKUENI UNVEILS DIGITAL SYSTEM TO REGISTER SUPPLIERS.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County has introduced a new digital registration system for suppliers in a bid to streamline operations.

The system is designed to enhance transparency and accountability, with every step being trackable and open to scrutiny.Suppliers can now register from the convenience of their homes or offices, saving valuable time and resources.

The County will benefit from a comprehensive database of suppliers across all categories, leading to informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.

The digital system also acts as a robust safeguard against corrupt practices, ensuring that only the most qualified and legitimate suppliers are considered for partnerships with the county.

This digital transformation is poised to increase efficiency, promote fair competition, and drive faster economic growth in Makueni County.

Makueni County Procurement Portal https://www.procurement.makueni.go.ke