Makueni County will pilot compound semiconductor–enabled renewable energy technology to power its health and water infrastructure, a move expected to cut electricity costs by up to 30 percent.
The plan announced Wednesday during a consultative meeting between county officials and the University of Nairobi (UoN), will be carried out under the Compound Semiconductor–Enabled Renewable Energy Systems for Powering Critical Buildings in Africa project being implemented by UoN’s Department of Physics.
Briefing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the UoN team led by Prof. Julius Mwabora said the technology delivers higher efficiency and lower operating costs than conventional systems.
Governor Mutula welcomed the initiative, noting it will transfer technical skills to county staff and significantly reduce power bills for facilities that run continuously
The governor added that Makueni has strong solar resources and already has an energy plan and enabling policies in place to support large-scale renewable energy deployment.
Makueni County has secured the support of the Salvation Army in Climate Change Resilience Building through a five-year project dubbed MSETO WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Resilience by the church.
The USD 2.5 Million project aims at ensuring Water, Sanitation hygiene (WASH) access in five counties; Makueni, Kitui, Machakos, Samburu and Isiolo counties.
The Project manager George Obondo says the project will also ensure Improved food and Economic security in the targeted communities; Improved WASH access in the communities and schools; Improved health and nutrition as well Climate Justice and Environmental Sustainability.
The project, which runs up to 2023, draws funding from among other partners: Sweden/Latvia, Australia, UK/Ireland, Switzerland, Hungary & Austria.
The MSETO Resilience-WASH and Food Security Project, launched today, Friday April 12, in Nairobi and graced by Deputy governor Adelina Mwau and ABC Archbishop Timothy Ndambuki, is an improvement of a similar pilot project in Salvation Army schools in the said Counties.
According to Salvation Army Kenya East Territorial Commander, Commissioner Margaret Siamoya, the project has previously supported 20 schools in Makueni with four 16,000-litre water tanks each as well as building toilets of World Health Organization standards.
DG Adelina Mwau termed the partnership a noble cause largely focusing on preparing and building the capacity of communities to enable them absorb, adapt and transform their lives in the face of complexities and uncertainties brought about by the impacts of climate change.
The Government of Makueni County is set to partner with GIZ in green energy development as it implements its 2018-2022 County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). The partnership will involve exploration of conservation measures and renewable energy in order to reduce defforestation especially that which is linked to charcoal burning. A detailed partnership plan was discussed today when the Deputy Governor, H.E. Adelina Mwau, hosted representatives from GIZ in her office. In the plan GIZ will train women and the youth at the ward level on green energy development.
Both partners will develop the green energy sector in the County in order to stimulate development and contribute to the well-being of the society. Makueni schools and hospitals among other institutions will be encouraged to shun traditional cooking methods that use charcoal and firewood and embrace green energy in cooking and lighting. This will entail the use of solar lamps, Jiko Kisasa and solar water pumps among other products.
‘By training the youth, women and persons with disability who will later sell the green energy products to the community, we will have created an income to them’, affirmed H.E. Adelina Mwau as she reflected on the employment opportunities and immense job creation potential the partnership has for the youth and unemployed. It is envisaged that the partnership in green energy development will address climate change and will lead to an increase in the forest cover in the County and contribute to meeting the national goal for 10% forest cover.
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 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 County will on Friday play host to the national celebrations of World Contraceptive Day at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote.
The event, themed “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention and Access,” provides a platform to showcase progress, share best practices, and reflect on the gaps that remain in access and use of contraceptives across the country.
Makueni stands out as a model county, having surpassed Kenya’s average modern contraceptive prevalence rate recording an impressive 64 percent uptake compared to the national figure of 57 percent.
This success is attributed to high postpartum family planning adoption through initiatives like the Anita Mbinya Foundation and Jhpiego, innovative community engagement, strong political commitment, and sustainable investment , including the establishment of a dedicated family planning budget line.
The celebration is expected to attract senior Ministry of Health officials alongside Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., among other dignitaries.
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 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.
The Makueni County Government will provide assistive devices to 300 more persons with disabilities next month under its partnership with Hope Mobility Kenya, as the two institutions deepen efforts to improve mobility and access to rehabilitation services.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a consultative meeting on Wednesday between County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, Chief Officer Catherine Katuti, county officials and representatives from Hope Mobility Kenya.
The outreach programme will provide beneficiaries with properly fitted assistive devices, including wheelchairs, crutches, elbow crutches and other mobility aids. The exercise will also include follow-up assessments for previous beneficiaries to evaluate the condition of their devices and ensure they continue to meet users’ mobility needs.
As part of the collaboration, Hope Mobility Kenya donated 10 auxiliary crutches and 20 walking frames to the county to strengthen support for residents requiring mobility assistance.
ECM Kyoni said more than 700 persons with disabilities have benefited from assistive devices and rehabilitation services since the partnership was established.
The programme will also enhance local capacity through the training of 15 artisans and 10 healthcare workers drawn from sub-county hospitals. The trainees will receive skills in the fitting, maintenance and repair of assistive devices to improve access to services at the community level.
The ECM said the initiative aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda of promoting inclusion, equal access to services and improved quality of life for persons with disabilities across Makueni County.
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.”
