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MAKUENI SEEKS PARTNERSHIP WITH ANGLICAN CHURCH AGRO-ENTERPRISE FOR FARMER TRAINING.

June 14, 2024

The County Steering Committee for the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), led by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, toured the Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise on Friday to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

The enterprise specializes in apiculture (beekeeping), poultry, horticulture, and pig farming, serving as the primary foodstuff supplier for the Resort.

A key area identified for collaboration is the training of farmers on best agricultural practices to enhance profitability among small-scale farmers in the county.

“The Anglican Church of Kenya Resort Salama agro-enterprise offers a unique model of diversified farming that can greatly benefit our local farmers,” Mutua stated.

By partnering with them, the county aims to provide farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their productivity and profitability.

Makueni Secures Ksh. 168 Million from World Bank

Makueni County has secured a Ksh168 million grant from the World Bank to advance its devolution development agenda.

The grant, disbursed through the national ministry of Devolution, under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP) is meant for capital investments and building capacities for improved devolved service delivery.

Makueni is among 13 counties that have received a total of Sh 1.9 Billion under the programme.

The 13 were competitively selected from the 47 counties upon achievement of respective disbursement linked parameters key among them audited accounts.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa who presented cheques to the qualifying governors urged the county chiefs to channel the funds to the BIG FOUR agenda.

Deputy governor Adelina Mwau has said the funds will be channeled towards key sectors of the county economy such as Water, Agricultural value chain addition and health promotion

Makueni county executive for Finance and Social Economic planning Mary Kimanzi said the cabinet would sit to decide on the projects to invest the grant in, and which will positively impact on the lives of Makueni residents.

The event was held at the Laico Regency hotel in Nairobi.

Makueni Secures Funding to fight Malnutrition

Makueni has secured a Sh 30 million funding from Nutrition International to scale up efforts towards elimination of malnutrition in the next three years.

The grant is complimentary to the county’s Sh 36 million for the same cause, and which is meant to actualize the implementation of the County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) unveiled late 2019.

The Makueni CNAP targets the reduction of the prevalence of stunting among children under five years by 40%, childhood wasting to less than 5%, childhood underweight to less than 10%, and reduce malnutrition among older children and adolescent by 15%.

According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2014, the prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in Makueni County was 25.1%, 2.1% and 10.2% respectively.

The funding agreement was signed today in Nairobi by the executive for Finance Mary Kimanzi and executive for Health Services Dr. Andrew Mulwa for the county government and witnessed by governor Kivutha Kibwana, deputy governor Adelina Mwau and the Nutrition International President Joel Spicer.

The county has also received 30,000 Euros (Sh 3.2 million) funding from Hivos East Africa to finance the Makueni Mango and indigenous food festival scheduled for this month at the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant, Kalamba.

The overall objective of the food festival is to promote mango production and consumption of indigenous food in Makueni, governor Kibwana has said.

The festival seeks to stimulate the rediscovery of the value of the Mango and indigenous foods through showcasing the rich gastronomic heritage of the Akamba and marketing the County as a Mango County and presenting the opportunities in the Mango value chain.

MAKUENI SEALS DEAL WITH KEVEVAPI TO STRENGTHEN LIVESTOCK HEALTH AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Makueni County Government has signed a strategic partnership with the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) in a move set to revolutionize livestock health and boost the local economy.

The collaboration seeks to improve vaccine uptake in the county, which currently stands at a low 30 percent, with an ambitious target of reaching 70 percent. Through this deal, farmers will benefit from a more reliable, timely, and efficient supply of vaccines.

The initiative is expected to strengthen the fight against devastating livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Caprine Pleuropneumonia, Rabies, Brucellosis, and Rift Valley Fever.

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili hailed the partnership as a major boost to livestock farming, which contributes 20 percent to Makueni’s GDP and sustains 65 percent of households.

Her remarks were echoed by Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli, who reaffirmed the county’s pledge to fully support the initiative and ensure long-term success.

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT MASS REGISTRATION FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVER

County Executive Committee Member for Health Services Joyce Mutua on Tuesday officially launched the Makueni County Universal Healthcare registration exercise, which is being conducted across all clusters in the county.

The exercise, running from Tuesday through Friday, is designed to cushion vulnerable households. It targets more than 200,000 residents and will be implemented in phases to ensure as many eligible beneficiaries as possible are accommodated.

Mutua called on Makueni residents to turn out in large numbers for the registration. She noted that the process also includes Social Health Authority (SHA) mass registration through the Afya Yangu platform, updating of dependant records, identification of vulnerable households for the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), and proxy means testing.

She urged residents to carry their national identification cards, a mobile phone, and birth certificates for children.

Speaking during the launch, Chief Officer for Health Human Resource and Management Dr. Harvey Mulei said healthcare financing remains a costly undertaking. He emphasized that the Makueni County Government is committed to ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services while protecting families from the financial strain of out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Mutua, accompanied by Acting Chief Officer for Health Services Irene Makau, later visited Bosnia Dispensary, where they interacted with residents. Hundreds of locals turned out for the registration exercise.

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT INVESTMENTS IN FIVE KEY AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAINS.

The Government of Makueni County through National Agricultural Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) is spearheading massive investment in five key agricultural value chains namely: Bee keeping, dairy, horticulture (tomato farming), mango production and poultry farming.

The overarching goal of this program according to Livestock and Fisheries Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza is to commercialize 50℅ of the agricultural activities in those value chains, promote agri-business and create job opportunities in the rural economy.

Speaking during a validation forum of the program at Tawa in Kisau/Kiteta ward, Kiminza encouraged farmers to join these value chains through which the government will provide seed capital, farm chemicals, extension services and marketing of their produce. These services will be provided through SACCOs and Cooperatives.

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT BORESHA MACHO PROJECT TO BOOST EYE HEALTH SERVICES

Deputy governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday launched the Boresha Macho Project at Kathonzweni Health Centre, an eye health initiative aimed at improving access to affordable and quality refractive error services across the county.

Through the programme, more than 100,000 residents are set to undergo eye screening, with over 12,000 spectacles expected to be distributed spectacles, significantly contributing to Kenya’s goal of increasing access to refractive error services from the current 6.7 percent to 40 percent.

The county government is implementing the project in collaboration with Sight Savers and the Kenya Society for the Blind.

Currently, eye care services are available at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, Makindu Sub-County Hospital, and satellite clinics in Mbooni, Kibwezi, and Sultan Hamud.

The initiative forms part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s broader agenda to strengthen primary healthcare and bring essential medical services closer to the people.

As part of the partnership, Sight Savers will equip the county with modern eye care technology, support community outreaches, establish a state-of-the-art optical shop at the referral hospital, and train community health promoters to enhance awareness and early intervention.

MAKUENI ROLLS OUT A CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE RABIES.

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock has launched a campaign to completely eliminate rabies in Makueni.

The campaign targets to vaccinate 40,000 dogs across 17 wards in the county.

The launch was officiated by Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Friday at Kyangoma in Mbooni Sub- County.

She was accompanied by Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, Livestock Chief Officer Japheth Kiminza and Mbooni Ward Member of County Assembly Alexander Mulemba

MAKUENI ROAR TO LIFE AT KYISA WITH DOMINANT OPENING WINS

In their characteristic style, Makueni stormed the Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games with a strong statement, hammering Narok 3–0 sets in men’s volleyball.

In men’s handball, Makueni withstood intense pressure from hosts Laikipia to secure a narrow 23–21 victory in the opening matches of the tournament.The Makueni men’s volleyball team now prepares to face their archrivals, Siaya, on Wednesday, while the women’s team takes on Nyandarua.

In men’s football, Makueni will face Nakuru on Wednesday in their group A opening match. In the other group fixture, Laikipia crashed Narok 2-1.

MAKUENI RESIDENTS WORKING AND RESIDING IN MOMBASA ON FRIDAY EVENING GOT A CHANCE TO GIVE THEIR VALUABLE INSIGHTS ON THE COUNTY FISCAL STRATEGY PAPER 2024-25 DURING THE MOMBASA DIASPORA PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

Makueni residents working and residing in Mombasa on Friday evening got a chance to give their valuable insights on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper 2024-25 during the Mombasa diaspora public participation.

The participation, graced by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Deputy Lucy Mulili, is crucial as it ensures that the budgeting process is transparent, inclusive, and reflective of the needs and priorities of the residents.The draft County Fiscal Strategy Paper can be accessed from our website vide: www.makueni.go.ke