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Makueni Opens Doors to The First Community-Led Development School in Africa.

Makueni on Thursday opened doors to one of its kind, a community-led development school and the first in Africa at Wote.
The school seeks to train citizens, community leaders, civil society professionals, and government officials from across the county and the country at large to ensure that every person has a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
It will also provide a platform to strengthen the capacity of county officials and community members on how they can be involved to localize sustainable development blueprints by the county.
While presiding over the inaugural function, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr described the school as timely, adding that the center will offer collaborative learning that will be demonstrating the power of government-civil society partners.
In his keynote address, John Coonrod, vice president of the Global Hunger project and the founder of Movement for Community-Led Development (MCLD) lauded the county community-led development aspect, saying that it’s the only way to structure society consistently with human dignity as it moves decision-making closer to the people.
Governor Kilonzo re-signed a M.O.U with John Coonrod where its collaboration includes fundraising for county development initiatives, capacity strengthening of county departments on proposal writing, and fundraising among other key areas.

MAKUENI ONCE AGAIN SHINES AT DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE WITH GAME-CHANGING DIGITAL SURGERY TECHNOLOGY

Governors from across the country turned their focus to cutting-edge healthcare innovations at this year’s Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, engaging in peer-to-peer learning on digital surgery and health equity.

Once again, Makueni County stole the spotlight, earning glowing praise for pioneering the use of Proximie technology in Kenya.

The innovative system uses cameras, speakers, and computers connected via the internet to link operating rooms with specialists anywhere in the world.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili walked fellow governors through Makueni’s transformative experience with Proximie, explaining how it enables real-time consultation during surgical procedures, regardless of distance.

Dr. Shannon Shibarta, Head of Global Proximie, hailed Makueni for its trailblazing role, noting that the county’s success story is now inspiring medical professionals as far afield as East Africa.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o pledged to be next in line to adopt the cloud-based system, promising to bring the innovation home to his people.

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, who chairs the Health Committee in the Council of Governors, revealed that the council is ready to explore partnerships with vendors willing to supply the costly high-end equipment on a pay-per-patient model, making adoption more affordable for counties.

Makueni on the right track for effective implementation of nutrition programmes

Nutrition International country director Martha Nyagaya has lauded Makueni County for the implementation and effective use of funds in its primary health programs addressing malnutrition.
Martha spoke while addressing a meeting between Nutrition International and Makueni health officials on the implementation status of projects supported by NI.
In 2019, the county secured Sh. 30 Million in funding to scale up efforts towards the fight against malnutrition especially stunting which has reduced from 25.1% to 20% according to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022 KDHS).
The grant is complimentary to the county’s Sh 36 Million for the same cause as per the joint Nutrition financial agreement meant to actualize the implementation of the County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) that was unveiled in 2019.

Makueni on course towards food and nutrition security, says Kibwana

Makueni County on Wednesday played host to the 2019 World Food Day national celebrations usually marked annually on 16th October.

The objective of the celebration is promoting worldwide awareness and actions for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diet for all.

The event staged at Kwakathoka was graced by among others; Principal Secretary for Crop Development and Agricultural Research Hamadi Boga, governor Kivutha Kibwana, and top national officials of FAO and WFP.

Kibwana outlined notable milestones achieved by his administration in a quest to improve food security and enhanced incomes:

  1. The identification and promotion of four key agricultural value chains; fruit, dairy, indigenous chicken and green grams. The value chains have substantially been streamlined from production to value addition including processing through development of Makueni fruit processing plant which is still under development to ensure enhanced return on investment; support to development of dairy aggregation across the county and processing plants at Kikima and Kathonzweni; the on-going development of a poultry slaughter house at Kitise and a grain processing plant at Makindu. This will ensure better quality and safer foods for the consumers while increasing the incomes to farmers.
  2. Improved accessibility and affordability of agricultural inputs through linkages such as DigiFarm and KCEP-CRAL in collaboration with Safaricom and IFAD respectively, and the establishment by the county government of non-interest fund (Tetheka Fund) to enhance credit for agriculture and trade.
  3. Water harvesting programme dubbed “Kutwiikania kiw’u “and subsequent food security programme “Operation Mwolyo Out (OMO)- One acre rule”. The strategy entails construction of farm ponds at farm level for the production of quality and nutritious food for the households. The strategy promotes the establishment of dairy, poultry, nutritional garden among others within one acre of land.
  4. Enhanced agribusiness and youth involved in agriculture, a programme co-funded by world food programme and my Government.
  5. Establishment of crop and livestock pest and disease surveillance and their control programme.
  6. Promotion of climate smart agriculture in collaboration with FAO, to improve productivity and profitability and therefore enhance resilience among vulnerable communities. Some equipment used in the programme will be presented to the County in this event.
  7. Construction of fresh produce markets, stock yards, and establishment of market linkages to enhance returns to the farmers.
  8. The development of an Agricultural Training Centre (ATC-Kwakathoka). This institution hosts demonstrations in appropriate agricultural technologies as well as offering Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) services targeting our youth and other agricultural producers.
  9. The establishment of County climate change policy and board which strives to reverse environmental degradation and ensure protection of water catchments areas.

MAKUENI, NYS ROLL OUT ROAD UPGRADE IN 8 WARDS

Makueni County has kicked off a major road maintenance program targeting eight wards, thanks to a new partnership between the county government and the National Youth Service (NYS).

Beginning in Wote and Ilima Wards on Wednesday, this initiative follows a recent agreement between Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and the NYS, known for its disciplined workforce, precision in project execution and use of well-maintained machinery.

NYS’s reputation in road construction stems from its elite training programs and efficiency in delivering durable, high-quality infrastructure.

The wards set to benefit from this countywide road upgrade are: Wote-Nziu, Muvau-Kikumini, Mbitini, Kasikeu, Ilima, Kee, Kithungo-Kitundu and Mtito-Andei.

Each of the eight wards will receive a grader, while one ward will also benefit from a shovel to aid in the works.

The equipment will be used over at least 220 working hours to rehabilitate roads that were damaged or rendered impassable by the recent heavy rains.

The improved roads are expected to ease transport for farmers delivering produce, boost trade, ensure better access to schools and health facilities, and support general mobility for residents attending social functions.

This joint effort marks a significant step in improving rural infrastructure and bringing essential services closer to the people of Makueni.

MAKUENI NOW A MEMBER OF OGP

Makueni has officially joined the Open Government Partnership (OGP)- a multilateral initiative that aims to secure concrete commitments from national and sub-national governments to promote open government, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

In view of the above, the county government makes the following critical Co-creation Plans:

✓ The County Government plans to enhance transparency on company ownership through disclosure of information on beneficial ownership as one of its key anti-corruption measures.

✓ Further, GMC plans to implement phase III of open contracting data standards that will include project monitoring and evaluation. This gives an opportunity to the community to interact with projects/programs and provide timely feedback for action and improvement. Consequently, this will lead to value for money on all projects/programs and sustainability thereof.

✓ In addition, as part of its fiscal openness and in order to enhance transparency, GMC has put measures in place to publish final audit and public service performance reports. Going forward, the government plans to encourage the public to interrogate the reports during our open forums. We are also working on providing geographical information of all county projects.

Makueni, NLC begin Land Ownership Verification in Nunguni and Kikima.

The department of Lands and Urban Planning, Environment and Climate change, Makueni County, has in partnership with National Land Commission (NLC) started plot ownership verification in Nunguni and Kikima towns in Line with Approved Survey Plans.
In an early morning meeting on Tuesday in Wote between NLC led by Commissioner Reginald Okumu, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and County Commissioner William Kaimba, the NLC team pledged to expedite the exercise so that by August 2023 all beneficiaries will have Letters of Allotment
104 parcels of land are targeted for verification in Nunguni and 206 in Kikima.
The teams also agreed to partner in resolving public land ownership issues in Wote, Mikululo and Kiboko A,B and C and also Fastrack compensation of Project Affected Persons at Kwambila, Manooni and Mulima dams by the relevant National government agencies.

Makueni Next Generation Service


Governor Kivutha Kibwana receives a memoir of Boniface Mwangi Unbounded from the writer during a stakeholders consultative meeting on formation of Makueni Next Generation Service, a youth empowerment programme. The service seeks to channel all youth empowerment and socio-economic transformation programs into one overarching development agenda, with several priority empowerment activities.

  • February 8, 2018 in News

MAKUENI, NAIROBI RIVERS COMMISSION SCALE UP WATER PROTECTION EFFORTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday hosted the Nairobi Rivers Commission (NRC) led by chairperson Dr. Pamela Olet for a discussion on joint efforts to safeguard Nairobi river basin water resources against pollution.

Mulili affirmed the county government’s commitment to environmental sustainability while insisting on the importance of inter-county partnerships in tackling contamination of water sources especially through industrial effluents and untreated sewerage.

Makueni is among counties bearing the brunt of water contamination from the upstream of River Athi.

Makueni, NACADA Agree to a Joint Offensive Against Drug Abuse

National Authority for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse(NACADA) has pledged support to Makueni County in dealing with alcoholism and drug abuse which is highly prevalent in the county.
 
During a courtesy call to Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili in her office, Wote, on Monday, NACADA Chief Executive Officer Victor Okioma said the authority will support Makueni in policy and legal frameworks, training of recovery coaches to mentor victims as well as capacity building for the personnel involved in the campaign.
 
Mulili said the County Government is working to establish a recovery centre where victims will be treated and fully rehabilitated.