News

USAID hands over plant to local farmers to enhance milk processing

Kathonzweni dairy farmers on Friday were handed over a milk processing plant that will help in enhancing milk processing in the area and the county at large.

The plant which has a capacity to pasteurize 1000 litres of milk per hour is a project courtesy of a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and USAID through the International Livestock and Research Institute(ILRI).

According to the Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society chairman Stephen Kyonda, the plant is a step towards achieving their vision of being the leading in producing quality and quantity milk in Ukambani.

“Guided by our vision of being the leading Dairy Cooperative Society in producing quality and quantity milk in Ukambani, we have no doubt that this plant is not at the right place,” Kyonda stated.

Chief of Party ILRI Dr Romano Kiome who graced the handover ceremony urged the farmers to increase the membership of the cooperative in order to have steady supply of milk to the plant for meaningful processing.

Kiome further said that the handover was meant to have the farmers manage the plant and ensure its full operations before the official commissioning scheduled in few weeks’ time.

Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau called for prudent management of the cooperative for maximum benefit to the farmers.

She also urged the farmers to take advantage of the free artificial insemination services offered by the county government in order to increase yields of milk.

USAID ENVIRONMENT AND FOOD SECURITY BOSS VISITS MAKUENI FOR A TOUR OF JOINT WATER PROJECTS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosts USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Resilience, Environment and Food Security Mia Beers for a development tour of Makueni.

The envoy is touring water projects developed by USAID through STAWI in partnership with the Makueni County Government to appreciate their community impact.

The projects include Kaiti 2 water project set to provide water to residents of Sarova area near Wote for domestic use and micro- irrigation. Others are solarizarization of Mwaani borehole and construction of a 300 cubic meters treatment sump at Kamunyolo.

The projects are meant to increase access to clean potable water for Wote town and water for climate smart farming to enhance food security.

US Envoy praises Makueni for Prudence

The United States ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter has lauded Makueni for its prudence in utilization of the limited resources available leading to high value benefits to the people.

He announced that out of this transparency, Makueni will be among eight counties chosen to participate in the Prosper Africa Presidential Initiative by the United States government, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta recently.

The program seeks to strengthen direct trade and investments between the United states and select counties. This involves the US government leveraging on its expertise and relationships to support county level private sector solutions by investing in Business-to-Business relationships between the two countries.

The envoy spoke on Saturday during a day long tour of the county to inspect several projects and programs implemented in partnership with the US through its various agencies based in the country.

Mr. McCarter first joined governor Kivutha Kibwana in unveiling the Makueni County Water Policy; a framework for an integrated approach to planning, sustainable development & management of water resources; and progressive realization of the human right to water, sanitation and environment.

After the commissioning, the two then presided over a graduation ceremony to celebrate infants that have remained HIV free despite being exposed for 18 months through the Prevention and elimination of mother to child HIV transmission program.

The Envoy also toured the 200-bed Mother and Child Hospital, counstructed and equipped at a cost of Sh 135 million. He later commissioned Makutano water project in Kathonzweni ward done in partnership with KIWASH.

Mr. McCarter was wowed by what he termed as an outstanding leadership by the Kibwana government for its implementation of interventions that contribute towards the overall wellbeing of the people.

Uraia to partner with Makueni for Civic Education

Uraia Trust, Kenya’s National Civic Education Programme has pledged its support for a widespread civic education in Makueni.

Uraia Trust Civic Education Manager Abubakar Said pledged the organization would stock a library of civic education materials to aid in civic education within the county.

“We are working on a mission to ensure every household has a constitution, and are versed with its provisions as a way of adding value to devolution.” he said, during a courtesy call to governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana in his office at Wote, Monday.

Kibwana urged the civic education body to push for a translation of the constitution into local dialects, urguing that the language barrier was a huge hinderance to the understanding of the constitution by a majority of Kenyans.

He said many of those who fought for the constitution had forgotten about its implementation.

“Many fought for the constitution but after its promulgation, they forgot that its implementation is a continuous process and there is need for active civic education,” said Kibwana.

“Many ordinary Kenyans are yet to fully understand the constitution because of the language it is written in. Even when we make speeches at the grassroots, we are careful not to speak a lot of English as the people will not follow, and at times they will leave mid way your speech if you bore them,” he told the Uraia trust delegation.

Kibwana said his administration has heavily invested in civic education so that the people are part of the development process, and that they do so from an informed point of view.

“We are not afraid of a citizenry that asks questions and holds us to account. It is better to allow them ask questions now and even quarrel than wait to tell you how useless you were, and how you failed to help them long after you have left power.” said the governor.

Kibwana said his ambition is to formulate a civic education program that educates residents on a holistic social economic development, including health promotion, income generation, agricultural best practices and related initiatives so that residents do not only interact with government officers during budget making only.

UPDATE ON MUATINENI RIVER DISASTER AS AT 27TH APRIL 2024

Following the Disaster at River Muatineni in Sultan Hamud, the following is an update of the rescue and recovery mission by the County, National Government and Redcross Multi-agency team.

1. Persons rescued: 14

2. Bodies recovered: 8

3. Persons reported missing: 8

A command post and tracing center established at Sultan Hamud Hospital.

Call 0715 486141 incase you find a missing person or any other emergency

UNOA COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HAS RECEIVED A GENEROUS DONATION OF 1,325 ASSORTED BOOKS FROM DIE&I, COURTESY OF FAITH MISSION

The collection, which includes storybooks and science books, will enrich the school’s library and supplement existing curriculum materials.

During the handover on February 7, 2025, the Chief Officer for ICT, Education, and Internship, Irene Makau, encouraged students to make the most of the resources to improve their academic performance, creativity, and critical thinking.

The Principal expressed gratitude, stating that the books would greatly benefit both students and teachers by fostering a stronger reading culture and enriching learning experiences.

This donation marks a significant step in supporting education at Unoa Comprehensive School, ensuring students have access to diverse learning materials to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Universal Healthcare Conference 2018

A two day conference at Wote, Makueni, on Universal Healthcare coverage ended Thursday with a rallying call to the national government to implement the programme across the country.

The conference brought together multi-sectorial stakeholders and agencies to deliberate on the possibilities and framework for implementation of a Universal Healthcare programme to accord Kenyans quality, accessible and affordable healthcare.

Host governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana described the conference as a historic event that will revolutionize the health sector if its deliberations are effectively implemented.

“If there was ever any doubt on the possibility of achieving Universal Healthcare in Kenya, that doubt has been debunked by the Makueni conference,” he said.

“A major take-home for everyone is that Universal healthcare is achievable with the right framework and goodwill by all supportive agencies. Strategic partnerships are the key to achieving this dream,” said Prof Kibwana.

The Makueni governor said the experiences of several counties such as Makueni, Laikipia and Kakamega that have tried different facets of universal healthcare programmes is testimony enough that it can be rolled out nationally with success.

United Nations Development Programme resident representative to Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee said the surging Kenyan population calls for a rethink in the country’s healthcare system.

“By 2050, Kenya’s population is likely to hit 90Million. This will by all means exert pressure on the country’s health sector,” Mr Chatterjee noted.

He called for preventive healthcare system with focus on immunization more than the curative system.

He said mainstreaming of community health workers into the healthcare system would boost the preventive system.

Kenya Healthcare Federation Chief Executive Officer Dr. Amit Thakker said the private sector is willing to play a key partner to the Universal Healthcare programme.

He pledged pro-bono services in support of the improvement of the Makuenicare universal healthcare programme.

Planning Principal Secretary Dr Julius Muia who graced the event said if corruption was eliminated fro the health sector,the Universal Healthcare programme would be implemented without the need to look outside the country.

AMREF Health Africa Chief Executive Officer Dr Githinji Gitahi said the foundation would play a key role in the Universal Healthcare Conversation through capacity building and training.

He said AMREF will soon commence construction works for a medical university at Makindu on a 50-acre piece of land donated by the Makueni County government, which would be key in medical training and research.

Other leaders who graced the event include Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Prof. Khama Rogo a World Bank health specialist and Makueni deputy governor Adelina Mwau.

UNITED AGAINST PERIOD STIGMA.

In a bid to eliminate stigma around menstruation and promote inclusive health, Health Services ECM Dr. Paul Musila has called on communities and stakeholders to join hands in supporting menstrual hygiene initiatives.

During the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day held on Thursday at Yieini primary school in Kibwezi West sub county, Dr. Paul Musila led an event aimed at breaking taboos and improving sanitation standards for learners.

He emphasized the critical role of community support, partnerships, and stakeholder collaboration in creating a stigma-free environment for menstruating girls.

He launched dignity pack distribution for adolescents—both girls and boys—as a show of inclusivity and shared responsibility.

The initiative also spotlighted the need for sustained efforts in providing menstrual hygiene products and ensuring schools have adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure to support girls during their periods.

Chief Officer for Health Administration, Human Resource and Management, Dr. Harvey Mulei, echoed the call for enhanced stakeholder engagement in supporting menstrual health, underlining that access to proper hygiene resources is a basic right, not a privilege.

UNICEF AND MAKUENI COUNTY EXPLORE PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT

UNICEF Country Director to Kenya, Shaheen Nilofer, alongside Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., led a pivotal meeting today aimed at exploring potential collaboration to advance Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) in Makueni County. The discussions centered on strengthening efforts to improve the quality of education and care for young learners.

Makueni County has made remarkable progress over the past two years in transforming its ECDE sector, with a strong focus on infrastructure enhancement, teacher development, and learner support. The county has excelled in providing essential teaching and learning materials, fostering talent development, and ensuring the health and nutritional well-being of ECDE learners. Notably, the county’s health department has successfully reached 1,298 ECDE centers between January and June 2024, representing a 93% coverage rate.

During the meeting, both parties explored key areas for future collaboration. These included promoting health and nutrition initiatives, introducing school feeding programs, and providing digital learning gadgets to enhance modern learning methods. Additionally, the introduction of kitchen gardens was discussed as a way to diversify the learners’ diets, alongside efforts to improve water sanitation, hygiene interventions, and social protection programs for young children.

Ms. Nilofer praised Makueni for its commitment to empowering teachers and building a robust ECDE infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of early childhood interventions, noting that catching children at this formative stage is critical for long-term success. “Makueni has set an excellent example with what it has achieved so far,” Nilofer remarked, commending the county for prioritizing early learning and expressing confidence in the potential for future collaboration.

UNICEF leadership further acknowledged the county’s progress and expressed interest in supporting its digital learning platforms, which aim to increase parental engagement in the educational process. The exchange of best practices and the scaling of successful initiatives were highlighted as key opportunities for collaboration.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to strengthening ECDE in the county and welcomed UNICEF’s support in expanding these efforts. “We are committed to giving our young learners the best foundation possible,” he said, expressing optimism about the long-term impact of these partnerships. Governor Kilonzo also underscored Makueni’s readiness to work closely with UNICEF in implementing the proposed initiatives to further uplift the county’s early childhood education landscape.

The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both leaders expressing their shared vision of creating a brighter future for Makueni’s youngest learners through targeted support and innovative programs.

UNDERSTANDING LAND INHERITANCE

Land inheritance in Kenya follows a legal process to ensure fair distribution of a deceased person’s estate.

This process involves beneficiaries applying for Letters of Administration in court, which are then published in the Kenya Gazette for 30 days to allow objections.

The court then grants probate for wills or issues letters of administration if no will exists.

With regard to the above, Makueni County Government through the office of the County Attorney concluded a seven-day legal clinic on awareness of land succession matters in seven wards.

During the clinics that reached thousands of Makueni residents, it became evident that there was a lack of awareness about the succession process, including the transfer of a deceased person’s name to an administrator and the required documentation.

Speaking on Monday at Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. emphasized the importance of understanding the legal process to ensure smooth land ownership transitions.

“With proper documentation, families can avoid the risk of losing land due to disputes or fraudulent claims,” he stated.

Governor Mutula further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to simplifying land succession with proper legal guidance and encouraged residents to allocate funds for the process in the upcoming Budget cycle.

The legal clinics held at Kitundu Social Hall and Kithungo Chief’s Camp, were also attended by area MCA Kisungi Wa Ketete, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa and Chief Officer Felistus Mutune among other officers.