In recent times, Makueni County has witnessed an increase in the number of individuals voluntarily undergoing HIV testing and counseling, with many stepping forward to know their status and seek related healthcare services.
During the World AIDS Day commemoration held in Makindu on Monday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili outlined the county’s comprehensive plans and strategies to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic and mitigate its impact on the local population.
World AIDS Day, marked on December 1, honors lives lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrates survivors’ resilience, and calls for action to support those affected.
This year’s theme highlighted public education and united efforts to end HIV while tackling issues like new infections, unintended pregnancies, and gender-based violence.
Makueni County has intensified its HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment initiatives by establishing friendly clinics, deploying mobile health units, and conducting community outreach programs, significantly enhancing access to healthcare services.
Additionally, the county has rolled out targeted sensitization campaigns in colleges and among county employees to raise awareness and strengthen prevention efforts.
A poignant moment during the commemoration was the testimony of a 54-year-old HIV advocate who has lived with the virus for 28 years. His powerful story of resilience and advocacy serves as a source of inspiration for many.
After being abandoned by his family following his diagnosis in 1994, he overcame immense challenges and has since become a leading voice in HIV awareness, using his journey to empower and encourage others to seek support and embrace hope.
A delegation of Uganda Members of National Assembly has hailed the Makueni devolved system of governance saying it has led to effective delivery of services to the citizens.
Cecilia Ogwal, who led the delegation on a 3-day benchmarking tour to Makueni observed that though Uganda has a devolved system, the public participation is not functional and resources are not devolved.
“We have read about Makueni and its success stories and that is why we chose to come. However, in Uganda, we have a devolved system up to the districts level but participation of people is not functional, and also the resources are not devolved,” she said.
Governor Prof Kibwana said that it was an honour that the members of the Ugandan Parliament chose to bench mark in the county to learn noting that counties have been learning from each other to enrich their work.
Governor Kibwana further explained to the delegates who paid him a courtesy call in his office on Wednesday, that his government is keen in actualizing article 1 of the 2010 constitution of Kenya which resulted to the institution of the peoples’ government in the county.
The governor also observed that the sovereignty of the people in the county had worked through the public participation model but noted that sometimes it is resisted by leaders who feel threatened by empowered citizens, adding that it requires a lot of transparency.
He said: “Here in Makueni, we believe in actualizing the constitution and that is why we instituted the peoples’ government to implement Article 1 though sometimes it resisted by some leaders. Despite the challenges, it has worked.”
Ogwal noted that the benchmarking tour was aimed at comprehending the devolved system structures and functions before making concrete recommendations to the government of Uganda.
Wote Green Park came alive on the 9th and 10th of November 2023, as the heart of Makueni County hosted a two-day music and cultural extravaganza. The festival, not only a celebration of artistic expression but was a crucial platform for selecting the best teams to represent the county in the upcoming Kenya Music and Cultural Festival.
The park buzzed with energy as talented performers showcased traditional dances, melodious tunes, and captivating cultural displays. Spectators were treated to a mixture of vibrant costumes, rhythmic beats, and heartwarming performances that reflected the rich cultural tapestry of Makueni.
The festival served as a rigorous selection ground, with various teams competing for the honor of representing Makueni County in the prestigious Kenya Music and Cultural Festival at Wote Technical Training Institute from 1st to 9th December.
After two days of intense competition, the winners were crowned and celebrated. The triumphant teams were not only awarded with medals but also received certificates of merit, recognizing their exceptional talent and commitment to preserving and showcasing Makueni’s cultural heritage.
The County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Industry, Marketing, Culture and Tourism Eng. Peter Mumo expressed the Departmental delight at the high level of talent on display and emphasized the importance of such events in fostering cultural pride and unity within the community. The winning teams are now gearing up to represent Makueni County on the national stage, where they will compete with teams from across Kenya in the spirit of friendship and cultural exchange.
Ut pretium risus sit amet nisi vulputate porta. Ut hendrerit tempus purus in vulputate. Pellentesque dignissim dui ac dolor convallis, vitae posuere lacus laoreet. In porta tempor velit, vel commodo enim congue sit amet. Ut pretium risus sit amet nisi vulputate porta. Ut hendrerit tempus purus in vulputate. Pellentesque dignissim dui ac dolor convallis, vitae posuere lacus laoreet.
In porta tempor velit, vel commodo enim congue sit amet.
Pellentesque dignissim dui ac dolor convallis, vitae posuere lacus laoreet. In porta tempor velit, vel commodo enim congue sit amet. Ut hendrerit tempus purus in vulputate. Pellentesque dignissim dui ac dolor convallis, vitae posuere lacus laoreet. In porta tempor velit, vel commodo enim congue sit amet.
Nulla a velit quis ex ornare rhoncus. Donec imperdiet risus justo, vel malesuada erat fermentum at. Morbi at laoreet mauris. Mauris lorem felis, gravida et vehicula congue, tempus vel justo.
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works, Housing, and Energy, in collaboration with Strathmore University and WRI, organized a 3-day County Energy Plan Validation workshop at Kusyombunguo Hotel, Wote, from December 6th to 8th, 2023. Led by CECM Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi, the workshop focused on Energy Access to affordable, sustainable, and clean energy, productive use of energy, clean cooking technologies and sustainable bioenergy.
On the first day, the sensitization and validation of the County Energy Plan by the Members of the County Assembly.
The second day featured the presentation of the draft CEP to the cabinet under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, for their input and validation.
On the third day, Ward administrators were sensitized on the upcoming County Energy Plan and received a briefing on public engagement strategies and the promotion of green and renewable energy.
This workshop signifies a forward-looking approach to sustainable energy in Makueni County. The Makueni County Energy Plan is the 4th of its kind in Kenya, guided by the Integrated National Planning Framework.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Local Food Systems program, has joined hands with the County Government of Makueni to promote regenerative and conservation-based agricultural practices in the county.
The initiative, targeting 5,000 households, aims to enhance agricultural productivity, increase profitability, and uplift household incomes.
One of the program’s success stories is Georgina Musyoki, an early adopter who earned Ksh 350,000 from her 5-acre farm in 2023. Her achievements highlight the potential of regenerative agriculture to transform livelihoods in Makueni.
To celebrate the program’s success and its transformative impact, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday hosted visiting USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security, Mia Beers at Muvau ward. Beers is visiting from Washington DC.
The visit underscores the shared commitment to advancing sustainable farming practices for long-term food security and resilience.
USAID has launched a local Food Systems project dubbed ‘Feed the Future’, a U.S Government Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative.
The project will be implemented by a consortium of organisations led by Technoserve. Technoserve Chief of Party, Elizabeth Eckert made the announcement when a delegation from USAID Kenya and East Africa met Makueni Governor, Mutula Kilonzo Jr. in his office on Friday.
Eckert said the key areas to be covered in the project include nutrition, building up resilience for farmers and increasing profitability and diversity among small-scale traders.
The project will run for five years, until 2029.
Technoserve has already deployed staff to the county headquarters in Wote and said they hope the project will positively impact the lives of Makueni residents.
Governor Kilonzo welcomed the partnership and hailed USAID for choosing Makueni to be among 22 Counties involved in the project. He noted that USAID was also involved in other projects in Makueni notably in the water sector under its STAWI project. The governor encouraged the USAID to help address issues of malnutrition in the county affecting children below 2 years noting that the issue of food storage was critical in addressing food security.
Agriculture CECM, Joyce Mutua said the ‘Feed the Future Project’ would help residents as 47 per cent of households in Makueni were food insecure.
Others present were Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili, Trade CECM, Dr. Sonia Nzilani and Titus among others.
