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OVER 600 STUDENTS MOVED TO SOUTH EASTERN KENYA UNIVERSITY – WOTE CAMPUS

Over 600 Students moved to South Eastern Kenya University – Wote Campus

The first batch of Government- sponsored students were on Thursday officially welcomed to the South Eastern Kenya University Wote campus.

The 650 second, third and fourth year students under the faculties of education, humanities and social sciences have been studying at the SEKU main campus at Kwa Vonza in Kitui County.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who was the main guest at the event held at SEKU Wote campus, welcomed the students to the County and promised that the institution will be given more land for expansion.

He asked the students to utilise the Makueni Innovation Hub in Wote to enhance their careers.

The Governor praised local leaders who tirelessly fought for the establishment of the university and also cautioned students against drug abuse.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Douglas Shitanda assured members of the public that the campus will continue offering high-quality training.

Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu called for the upgrading of the Wote campus to a constituent college which will lead to a fully-fledged university in Makueni.

The Wote campus has been operational for the past 8 years and the uptake has been low as most students were self- sponsored.

Among those in attendance were Chairman of the University Council, Prof. Chrispus Kiamba, Makueni County Commissioner Henry Wafula, Makueni Assembly Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, businessman David Lloyd Masika and

Trade ECM Dr. Sonia Nzilani.

MAKUENI SIGNS A DEAL TO STRENGTHEN CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT.

Makueni County has signed a memorandum of understanding with two NGOs to strengthen citizen participation in development.

The agreement was signed on Thursday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and representatives from Makueni Development Trust (MADET) and Kitise Rural Development (KRD) at the Governor’s office in Wote.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships in strengthening locally-led and locally-managed county development initiatives.

The collaboration is aimed at addressing the development concerns of the citizens through participatory planning, social accountability and community-led resource mobilization.

Kitise Rural Development has been instrumental in piloting the Makueni Governance Project that seeks to promote just and accountable governance through public participation in Kitise/Kithuki and Makindu Wards.

The county government has through this program trained and sensitized the community on their social-economic rights in order to increase their knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions through public participation.

MULTISECTORAL TEAM COMPLETES BENCHMARKING TOUR ON TANNERY OPERATIONS.

A multidisciplinary team from the Departments of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Environment, Public Health and the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has completed a two-day benchmarking programme focused on leather tannery operations.

The tour aimed to equip the team with the technical expertise needed to make informed decisions regarding the stalled Wote tannery project.

Makueni County had previously benefitted from the Economic Stimulus Programme, which established the foundational infrastructure and equipment for the tannery.

The delegation, led by Agriculture and Livestock Executive, Joyce Mutua, visited key facilities including the tannery under development at Machakos School for the Blind, the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and the Ewaso Ng’iro Tannery and Leather Factory in Narok County.

PS GENDER, GOVERNOR KILONZO DISCUSS PLANS FOR GBV COURT IN MAKUENI.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department of Gender and Affirmative Action, Ann Wang’ombe, Dr.Sam Thenya, Founder Nairobi Women’s Group paid a courtesy call to Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at his Wote office on Wednesday.

During their meeting, they explored a potential collaboration with the judiciary to establish a specialized court at the Makueni Law Courts dedicated to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) cases.

Governor Kilonzo emphasized the importance of law enforcement in ensuring GBV laws are strictly upheld.

PS Wang’ombe is in Makueni to attend a gender sensitization forum aimed at promoting gender mainstreaming for a more equitable society.

The forum brings together the county’s CECs, Chief Officers, directors, the Gender Assembly Committee, Makueni High Court presiding judge, County Police Commander, and other key stakeholders in gender and child protection.

COUNTY TREASURY EMBARKS ON STRATEGIC REVIEW OF 2023/24 PERFORMANCE TO GUIDE BUDGET PLANNING

The County Treasury has commenced a 3-day working session to assess the financial and non-financial performance of the 2023/24 fiscal year.

The session has convened staff from eight sector working groups representing all departments, to contribute insights that will shape the 2024 County Budget Review and Outlook Paper (CBROP) and set preliminary sector ceilings for the 2025/26 fiscal year.

The groups will identify gaps, successes, lessons learned from the implementation of the 2023/24 fiscal year and areas for improvement in 2025/26, crucial for informed budget decisions.

The resulting document will undergo approval processes by the County Executive Committee, the County Budget Economic Forum and the County Assembly before its planned publication and dissemination by mid-October 2024.

Finance Executive Damaris Kavoi, who officially opened the session at the County Treasury boardroom on Tuesday, urged staff to collaborate closely to ensure a thorough and accurate document. She was accompanied by Chief Officer for Planning, Revenue and Budget Boniface Mutua and Budget Director Ann Muendo.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, CS WATER HOLD TALKS ON WATER DEVELOPMENT IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday held a round table discussion with Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muuga at Maji House on collaborations to improve provision of clean water in Makueni.

Key areas of discussion centered on getting a permanent solution for Nolturesh water supply; collaborations for enhanced last mile water connectivity; enhancing the efficiency and capacity of Bulk Water Sevice Providers to reduce wastage through non revenue water.

The CS pledged to fastrack the completion of key national government water projects such as Yikitaa Irrigation Scheme in Masongaleni, Mukuyu in Kilome, Kiia Nzou in Kaiti, Kwa Kivai Irrigation Scheme, Kithuki Irrigation Scheme and Mbavani scheme among others.

Governor Mutula also made an appeal to the CS for equiping of the Makueni Dam Construction Unit through machinery from Thwake dam project after completion of phase one of the project.

MBOONI SUB-COUNTY HOSPITAL RECEIVES MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WORTH KSH 1 MILLION FROM SAFARICOM FOUNDATION.

On Thursday, Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili received vital medical equipment valued at Ksh 1 million from the Safaricom Foundation, aimed at improving healthcare services at Mbooni Sub-County Hospital.

The donation, presented by Safaricom Foundation Chair Joe Ogutu, includes 9 ward beds, 2 room heaters, 2 baby cots, a delivery couch, a treatment trolley, a 50-seater tent, and 25 chairs. These items are intended to enhance the hospital’s capacity to provide quality healthcare to the local community.

Speaking during the handover, Deputy Governor Mulili highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in resource mobilization, which align with the county’s vision and the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan.

Safaricom Foundation Chair Joe Ogutu praised Makueni County for making effective use of previous donations and emphasized the foundation’s commitment to bringing impactful projects through strong partnerships with the county

MAKUENI GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. HAS EMPHASIZED TO THE SENATE FINANCE AND BUDGET COMMITTEE THAT COUNTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THEIR OWN FINANCE BILLS.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has emphasized to the Senate Finance and Budget Committee that counties are responsible for preparing their own Finance Bills, which must align with national economic policies without undermining them.

Speaking in Nairobi before the committee, chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, Mutula cited Article 209 (5) of the Constitution, arguing that counties deserve their equitable share of revenue, as it is a constitutional right, not a favor from the national government.

He explained that under Article 203 (3), the equitable share for counties is based on the last audited accounts approved by the National Assembly, not on projected revenue.

The governor added that Article 203 (1)(I) ensures counties receive stable and predictable allocations, protecting them from revenue shortfalls.

Mutula also pointed out that Section 5 of the Division of Revenue Act, 2024, states that if actual revenue falls short, the national government absorbs the shortfall, and any surplus also accrues to it. Article 219 further mandates that county funds must be transferred without delay or deductions.

The governor expressed concern that the Commission on Revenue Allocation had not provided recommendations for the Finance Bill, 2024, and Parliament had yet to vote on it, as required under Article 205. He also noted that counties’ equitable share is excluded from the national government’s budget estimates, as per Article 221 (7), and is drawn from the Consolidated Fund.

Mutula concluded by stating that national economic policies should not negatively affect county allocations or their operations.

MAKUENI ESTABLISHES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUE GROUP.

In a bid to strengthen healthcare services, the Makueni County Government has established a strategic partnership with Avenue group, Nairobi.

This collaboration aims to establish a two-way platform for surgical training, mentorship, and research.

On Wednesday, the governor alongside Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, visited Avenue group’s headquarters in Nairobi to discuss this promising alliance.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship that would allow Makueni’s sub-county health facilities to work closely with Avenue group both digitally and in person.

This partnership is expected to include joint workshops, surgical training camps, mentorship programs, research initiatives, live demonstrations, and the co-publication of medical findings.

In attendance were Prof.Paul Odula, Head of Department of Surgery at the institution and Dr. Michael Mwachiro, Head of Gastroenterology among others.

COUNTIES GATHER TO LEARN TELE-SURGERY FROM MAKUENI

Top health officials from Murang’a, Nakuru, and Mombasa counties on Wednesday gathered at the Council of Governors’ offices in Nairobi to learn from Makueni’s successful use of technology in the practice of surgery within the county hospitals.

As a pioneer in integrating Proximie technology, Makueni County has made strides in enhancing surgical procedures through the use of real-time video feeds.

This innovation has not only improved surgical outcomes, but has also facilitated the learning and mentorship of clinicians and medical interns within the county.

The meeting focused on counties coming together to create synergies, explore sustainable implementation strategies, and support the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals for the benefit of local communities. Digital health, as envisioned in the Digital Health Act 2023, will be optimally achieved once modern technology is embraced by all players.

Additionally, there was an emphasis on documenting these processes to share the impact across counties and with the Maarifa center within Council of Governors.

Shannon Shibata Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, emphasized that Proximie accelerates surgical training by allowing clinicians to observe procedures, learn new techniques, and exchange feedback from anywhere in the world and on any device.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. highlighted the successes achieved with the cutting-edge technology, stressing that a team-based approach, focused on evidence-based best practices, patient safety, and communication, has been crucial in strengthening surgical outcomes in Makueni.

Governor Kilonzo expressed his hope that modern technology would be adopted nationwide, championed by all 47 governors.

The effectiveness of this technology has already been recognized by Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi, both of which have adopted practices learned from Makueni.

COG’s Director Khatra Ali acknowledged the potential of Proximie technology for county-based training, noting that it could help retain medics who might otherwise take study leave, creating gaps in staffing that counties struggle to fill due to budget constraints.