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PS Kello Lauds Makueni’s Exemplary Farmer Profiling Exercise

Permanent Secretary State Department for Crop Development Kello Harsama has lauded Makueni for its exemplary Farmer profiling exercise.
PS Kello noted that Makueni was among the counties which had made commendable strides in the exercise which is ongoing across the country, aimed at collecting and documenting data on farmers.
 
He praised Makueni on Tuesday when he visited a number of farmers in Utangwa, in a bid to assess the progress of the exercise, noting that similar initiative had aborted in some counties due to malpractice in the recruitment of the agri-prenures.
 
He stated, ” We said we visit the counties that are progressing well in the farmer profiling. Makueni has done very well while in other counties the exercise was stopped due to malpractice in recruiting the enumerators.”
 
The exercise will close on 8th, October 2023  and officials called on farmers to avail as accurate information as possible.
 
The PS was hosted by Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and other senior county officials.
 
Mulili thanked the National Government for the support they had rendered to the county government, highlighting successful recruitment of the agri-prenures and dispatching of Sh 4.7 Million worth of cherry fund to Makueni coffee farmers.

A workshop focused on the validation of the Animal Feed Strategy.

Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Daniel Ndolo on Tuesday officially inaugurated a crucial 3-day workshop focused on the validation of the Animal Feed Strategy.
The event, attended by key stakeholders in the agriculture and livestock sectors, marks a significant step towards ensuring sustainable and efficient animal husbandry practices in the county
The workshop, staged at Kusyombunguo is organized by the County  Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the State Department of Livestock and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) aims to validate and refine the Animal Feed Strategy, which is poised to have a substantial impact on the agricultural and livestock industries.
 
In his opening remarks, Ndolo highlighted the importance of optimizing animal feed strategies for the benefit of both farmers and consumers.
 He stated, “Our commitment to modernizing agriculture and ensuring food security begins with the well-being of our livestock. An efficient and sustainable animal feed strategy is the cornerstone of achieving these objectives.Through this workshop, we aim to harness the collective expertise of our key stakeholders to enhance the quality and efficiency of animal feed production.”
Over the course of the 3-day workshop, participants will engage in intensive discussions, presentations, and collaborative sessions to:
 
    Evaluate the existing Animal Feed Strategy and identify areas for improvement.
    Review recent advancements in animal nutrition science and technology.
    Share best practices and success stories from within the industry.
    Develop a roadmap for the implementation and dissemination of the validated Animal Feed Strategy.
 
The workshop has attracted a diverse group of attendees, including farmers, researchers, industry representatives, policymakers, and Non-Governmental Organizations, all of whom play pivotal roles in the Agriculture and livestock industry.

COPPER, MANGANESE, IRON ORE DISCOVERED IN MAKUENI

A National Aerial Geological Survey has discovered deposits of Copper, Iron ore, Manganese and Graphite in Makueni County. 
 
Cabinet Secretary for Mining Salim Mvurya announced this discovery at Kyunyu village, Kathonzweni, when he toured one of the sites said to harbour copper deposits on Wednesday 13th, September, 2023, in the company of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and sector technocrats from both levels of government. 
This discovery opens a wide range of opportunities for job creation for locals while putting Kenya on a firm pedestal for economic growth, and a diversification from dependence on agriculture as the key economic driver.
The CS has ordered geological experts from the ministry to conduct a ground truthing exercise to verify the mineralization patterns and commercial viability of the deposits for exploitation.
 
Mvurya and Governor Mutula also closed illegal mining activities by unscrupulous and unlicensed miners who had already moved in at the Kathonzweni copper-rich area. 
Governor Mutula cautioned residents against selling their land saying they stood to reap huge financial benefits through compensation when mining begins.
 
The team also toured Kathekani in Mtito Andei said to contain graphite deposits, and where artisan mining activities are being undertaken.

ENERGY SECTOR INVESTORS TO PARTNER WITH MAKUENI COUNTY

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday held a one on one session with China – Africa Partnership for Sustainable Investment for Renewable Energy in Africa, Sun Africa, World Resources Institute, and Tool Kit to discuss investment prospectus for Makueni County.
The Investment Prospectus (IP) highlights the Renewable Energy investment opportunities with the aim of attracting finance and investment, by showcasing real opportunities that exists in Makueni County. Identification of the opportunities listed on this IP was based on the following criteria:
• Data collection and analysis through the Energy Access Explorer (EAE);
an online, open-source, interactive platform that uses mapping to visualize and identify priority areas where energy markets can be expanded.
• Literature reviews based on government priorities to scale renewable energy interventions.
• Interviews/consultations with both private sector players and government officers at
national and county levels.
• Site visits to gain on-ground experience of the potential the investment opportunities hold.
The partnership will incorporate solar installations for dairy processing plants, Powering Cold Chains, Powering Value Addition, Expansion and Powering Water Supply, Powering Healthcare, Powering Irrigation, Renewable Energy Power Generation, Training of CTTI Instructors and Trainees to enhance their Technical Skills to International Standards and Empowering the Youth to unlock their Economic Potential.
World Resources Institute (WRI) remains committed to work closely with the Government of Makueni County in building a comprehensive list of bankable projects across the county, which remains a critical part of unlocking finance and investment in the Renewable Energy space.
H.E. Governor Mutula Kilonzo was accompanied by the Deputy Governor, H.E. Lucy Mulili, County Secretary, County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers and other members of county staff.

Makueni Coffee Farmers To Receive Sh 4.7 Million Worth of Cherry Fund to Enhance Coffee Production

At least 1000 coffee farmers from Kikima Farmers Cooperative Society are beneficiaries of Sh.4.7 Million worth of cherry Fund to boost coffee production and productivity.
This is one of the areas of collaboration between the county government of Makueni and the New Kenya Planters Co-operative Union(New KPCU) to revamp the coffee sector in Makueni.
During the official launch of the Cherry Fund at Mulima Coffee factory on Thursday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr announced that his administration will make plans to provide fertilizer and other farm inputs for improved coffee production.
Farmers were sensitized on best agriculture practices for maximum coffee profitability, ahead of a benchmark tour to Mukarimu Farm in Meru, the best coffee farmer in Kenya.

The Iconic Emali modern market

The construction of an ultra-modern market which is bound to boost trade in the heart of the fast growing Emali township along Mombasa-Nairobi highway will be complete in 3 weeks time, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has been assured.
During an inspection tour of the market which is connected the main bus terminal, the governor accompanied by the Deputy Lucy Mulili said they will ensure drain improvement and gravelling to improve drainage and protect the market from storm water which mostly affects the town during rain seasons.
The modern market comprises of: 30 wholesale stalls, 96 retail stalls, 2 open air market blocks with a Capacity to accommodate 500 vendors, an administration block with provision of ICT Centre fitted with surveillance system WIFI to support access to E-government services and E-commerce.
The market also has Modern ablution block which is PWD compliant with both toilets and bathrooms, and a creche to provide baby care service to lactating mothers.
To ensure availability of water, Water harvesting system with 240,000Litres has been installed.

Governor visits Wote markets, interacts with business community, customers

The people of Wote town have expressed their excitement while finding the governor among them in a rare occasion when governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr toured the town to listen to issues of traders.
The Governor toured Unoa where floodlight will be erected, Marikiti Market where he promised to ensure better Sanitation for traders in the market that majorly deals with clothes before opening to public a toilet at Kwa Nguku area.
Kwa Nguku which feeds the town with chicken will also be made a better business hub with floodlight bound to be constructed there.
Concrete paving blocks have continued to be constructed along road carriage way surfaces, car parks in the town.

70,000M3 Kaiti sand dam targeting 1,200 rural and town households under construction

H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr inspects kaiti sand dam at kwa kitungu, outskirts of Wote town where the County is engaging over 150 people daily in the construction works.
Once complete, the sand dam which has a
Capacity of 70,000 cubic meters, 3metres high and 85 metres long is expected to serve a rural capacity of 1200 Households and also Wote town residents.