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MAKUENI TO PARTNER WITH CIM TO BOOST FARMER-LED IRRIGATION IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Thursday engaged in a productive discussion with Bishop Dr. Titus Masika of Christian Impact Mission (CIM) to explore collaboration on a farmer-led irrigation initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and climate resilience.

CIM, a faith-based development agency, focuses on creating community transformation models and training tools, with a strong emphasis on building resilience against climate change and other environmental challenges.

In partnership with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), CIM is set to roll out an irrigation project in Marwa, Kiima Kiu/Kalanzoni ward.

The initiative will involve the excavation of 200 farm ponds, each with a minimum capacity of 250m³, targeting a total of 552 hectares. The project is expected to harvest at least 37,500m³ of water per watershed, ensuring sustainable water supply for irrigation.

Once completed, farmers will actively participate by shaping, fencing and dedicating at least one acre each for irrigation.

This piloting initiative is a step geared towards strengthening food security, promoting water conservation, and enhancing climate adaptation for vulnerable communities in the region.

The meeting was also attended by CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Joyce Mutua, as well as Livestock Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and other county officials.

This collaboration highlights the governor’s commitment to innovative, sustainable agriculture solutions that empower farmers and secure livelihoods in the face of climate change.

MAKUENI TO HOST THE FIRST EVER UNIFIED SPORTS TOURNAMENT

Makueni is set to host the first ever Unified Sports tournament in Africa.

The tournament to be staged in Wote town, Makueni on 9th and 10th March, 2024 features 12 female football teams drawn from across the county.

Unified sports is a program that comprise a mix of an equal number of athletes with intellectual disabilities and those without intellectual disabilities on the same team for training and competition

The unified sports program is jointly sponsored by sport apparel manufacturer, Nike, through Special Olympics Kenya and aims at promoting inclusivity, foster understanding and support for persons with intellectual disabilities within the community.

The sport is also meant to encourage participation of female athletes specially with intellectual disabilities in sports.

The partnership between Makueni County and Nike was agreed upon in Berlin, Germany, during the 2023 Special Olympic games where Makueni largely represented the country and won a huge tally of medals.

MAKUENI TO HOST NATIONAL KENYA SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

Makueni has been selected to host a new Kenya School of Agriculture campus, which will offer training in agriculture-related courses, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.has  announced.

Governor Mutula revealed that his administration has already allocated land for the construction of the school.

 The governor has also secured a hot water treatment facility from the National Government to enhance the export market for mangoes in Makueni.

Governor Mutula made these announcements on Wednesday during a meeting with the staff of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development.

Governor Mutula praised the dedication and commitment of the agriculture staff in providing essential extension services to farmers, which are crucial for sustained agriculture and food security in the county. 

He urged the officers to go above and beyond their duties to make a significant impact on the farmers of Makueni.

The staff meeting was organized by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua and agriculture and Livestock Chief Officers Dr Victoria Kyallo and Japheth Kiminza.

The Governor was accompanied by Transport Executive Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Devolution Executive Japheth Mang’oka.

Makueni to hold agriculture fair to expose farmers to new technologies

Makueni to hold agriculture fair to expose farmers to new technologies

Makueni County through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Development is set to host the first-ever Famers Exchange and Expo at ATC Kwa-Kathoka from 2nd to 3rd March, 2023

The exhibition will provide a platform for farmers to learn from each other, especially on new technologies, and display their produce, equipment and technologies to potential clients who will be attending the agriculture fair.

 

Makueni to establish an Education Fund to support needy and bright students

Makueni County is in the process of establishing the Makueni Education Fund, a kitty to cater for increasing cases of bright and needy students in the county annually, Education and Youth Executive Committee Member Joshua Wambua has said.

Wambua said that the County Government of Makueni has continued to receive an increasing number of applicants for both bursaries and scholarships each year adding that the County budget cannot sustain the applications.

“We are in the process of establishing a larger kitty, the Makueni Education Fund in order to address the increasing cases of bright and needy children. Our County Budget cannot sustain these cases thus the reason for this noble course,” the ECM said.

He was speaking in Mombasa on Thursday where county officials led by Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau met secondary school head teachers during this year’s Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association conference for Makueni chapter at the Nyali Sun African Beach Hotel.

County officials led by Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau meeting secondary school head teachers during this year’s KeSSHA conference for Makueni Chapter at the Nyali Sun African Beach Hotel

According to Wambua, the overall aim of the fund will be to mobilize financial resources and provide financial assistance to Makueni bright and needy students in their pursuit of higher education, allocate funds and grants for seminars and Conferences and research and other related educational purposes.

He further observed that though constitutionally primary, secondary and university education are not devolved, the County Government cannot escape from supporting them due to their proximity and presence where the people are.

Adelina Mwau stated that the fund was a step to increase Makueni share in supporting transition and retention in schools through supporting as many needy and bright students as possible  thus increasing their chances to better their future.

KESSHA Makueni Chapter chairman Julius Mutwii who was the host and also the leader of a team handling the fund details termed it as a noble idea that will keep hope alive for the children. He also assured the county government of their unwavering support to fully realise the initiative.

He said: “This is a very noble idea whose time has come because more of our students from needy backgrounds will have opportunities to pursue their academic dreams. We therefore as principals in Makueni fully support it.”

Makueni to distribute Sh 120M Planting Seeds to Farmers

Makueni County Government will distribute certified planting seeds and relief food worth Sh 120M to its residents, H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has said.

He spoke at Kathonzweni on Thursday while flagging off emergency relief food together with County Commissioner Beverly Opwora and Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili.

Governor Mutula Jnr also noted that his administration is in the process of purchasing more relief food through its emergency kitty to supplement efforts by the national government to alleviate hunger.

 

Makueni to deliver Emergency Drugs through Drone Services

Health facilities in Makueni will soon be able to receive essential and emergency medical supplies through aerospace, thanks to a partnership between the county government of Makueni and NARMA INCL. a Korean aerospace research institute that develops state of art delivery drones and services.
Deputy governor H.E Lucy Mulili, ECM Paul Musila (Health), Chief Officers; Stephen Ndolo (Health) and Japheth Kiminza (Environment, natural resources, mining and climate change) hosted officials from the company on Wednesday where they talked on a myriad areas of collaboration.
Eng. Suho Jung, the projects manager noted that the partnership seeks to improve on the timelines of delivering medical supplies especially those listed as emergency drugs such as anti – venom vaccines, anti – rabbis, blood among others via drone services.
The officials from NARMA INCL. are in Makueni for a recceing visit and to acquint themselves with the county’s topography before flying drones in the county.
Dr.Stan Kivai,chair Makueni Climate Change Fund Board said that they engaged the Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA) through their resource mobilization aspect to bring the services to Makueni adding that the drones would considerably reduce the energy consumption.
Dr.Kivai was accompanied by Angeline Katunga, a member of the Climate Change Fund Board.

Makueni to conduct fistula surgeries.

Women living with fistula, a condition where women leak urine and stool are expected to receive free surgery and medical care services at the Makueni Mother and Child Hospital.
According to Dr. Doris Mbithi, a fistula expert based in Makueni, this will be the first time the county is offering such services. At least, nine county medical staff were trained at the gyno care fistula center in Eldoret to help with the operations.
Makueni’s Dr. Mbithi will be the lead surgeon.
Officiating the launch of the obstetric fistula treatment centre on Monday, Deputy Governor H.E Lucy Mulili urged the afflicted women to come out in large numbers for free treatment.
Mulili said she will be at the forefront of ensuring that women don’t live with incontinence and shame that comes with Obstetric Fistula.
 
 

MAKUENI TO BUILD ELITE SPORTS ACADEMY IN LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Champions Pathway Academy (CPA) and United States-based Angels at Bat to establish a world-class sports academy in Makueni. The facility will feature modern training infrastructure, aiming to nurture local talent and position the county as a regional and global sports hub.

Governor Mutula described the partnership as one that goes beyond sports, saying it is about equipping youth with leadership, education, and life skills. The initiative will offer professional coaching, international exposure, and mentorship.

CPA Chief Executive Officer Albert Munane emphasized the importance of investing in sports as a tool for discipline, while Angels at Bat’s Justus Musia noted the cultural exchange potential of the partnership.

Sports Executive Committee Member Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Nicholis Mutua, sports director Ambrose Kisoi and senior sports officer Charles Muthoka attended the signing ceremony held at the governor’s office in Wote, Tuesday.

Makueni to benefit from informal settlements town upgrading program

Wote: October 28, 2022

Deputy governor H.E Lucy Mulili on Friday received a delegation in her office from the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement program (KISIP) in a move to plan a roadmap to improve informal settlements within Makueni’s towns.

According to Dr. Peris Mang’ira, KISIP national coordinator, before embarking on an improvement project of the informal settlements, they will first conduct project planning and do a survey as well as aerial drone photography.

The project comes after Mjini village (Kibwezi town), Misongeni (Makindu town), and Soko-Mjinga in Emali town qualified for tenure regularization intervention under the project.

Makueni is among the counties funded by the World Bank through the state department of housing to improve their informal settlements.

The Deputy Governor noted that mushrooming of informal settlements is a hindrance to getting accurate boundaries and buffer zoning as well as land management, welcoming the KISIP team to partner with the county in the entire process.