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MAKUENI COUNTY TRANSPORT SAFETY COMMITTEE SENSITIZE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO INTENSIFY ROAD SAFETY AHEAD OF THE FESTIVE SEASON

Makueni County Transport Safety Committee on Thursday held a sensitization meeting among public transport operators and other transport and road safety stakeholders in a bid to bolster road safety, especially during the Christmas holidays.

The focus on strict adherence to speed limits, prohibition of overloading, mandatory insurance coverage, addressing infrastructure concerns, and zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances demonstrated a comprehensive approach to road safety.

The commitment of Deputy County Police Commander SSP Johnstone Mwarigha and CECM Devolution Japheth Mang’oka to implementing stringent measures and taking severe action against offenders sent a clear message that violations will not be tolerated.

The meeting was graced by Transport Executive Eng. Sebastian Kyoni and also attended by Mr. Paul Mbuchi from NTSA.

MAKUENI COUNTY, TRADEMARK AFRICA INK MOU TO ESTABLISH EXPORT SUPPLY HUB

Makueni County Government has taken a major step towards transforming its horticultural sector by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TradeMark Africa (TMA) to establish an Export Supply Hub (ESH).

The deal, signed on Monday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, aims at reducing post-harvest losses, boost international market access and strengthen the region’s position as a top exporter of mangoes, avocados and French beans.

Makueni, one of Kenya’s leading mango producers, harvests approximately 245,000 metric tonnes of the fruit annually, with more than 40% going to waste due to inadequate market access. The newly signed partnership aims to change that by tapping into lucrative global markets, particularly in the European Union (EU).

The ESH, supported under the EU-funded Business Environment and Export Enhancing Programme (EU-BEEEP) and implemented by TMA, will serve as a centralized facility for aggregation, cold storage, processing and packaging. It will also feature digital systems to track produce origin and enhance buyer confidence through full traceability.

Speaking at the event, Governor Kilonzo said the Hub will be a game-changer for farmers and exporters in Makueni and neighboring counties including Machakos, Kajiado and Taita-Taveta.

“The Export Supply Hub will not only reduce losses but also create a sustainable ecosystem that meets international sanitary and phytosanitary standards,” noted the governor.

The facility, which will sit on land provided by the County Government, will integrate a cargo system linked to the Standard Gauge Railway for efficient and sustainable shipments. Aggregation centers across the Makueni and in the region will ensure a steady flow of produce to the Hub, while on-site inspection and certification services will help meet stringent export requirements.

TMA Country Director, Lillian Mwai-Ndegwa, lauded the initiative as a strategic step toward enhancing Kenya’s export readiness.

“This Hub is about much more than market access, but also building resilience, sustainability and competitiveness for our smallholder farmers,” she said.

As part of the agreement signed, farmers will be equipped with the skills and training needed to

meet export market demands through improved production and value addition.

The exercise was also attended by CECM Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development Ms. Joyce Mutua, Chief Officers Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Japheth Kiminza, County Solicitor Ms. Jennifer Kyumwa and East Africa Market Development Associates representative Subira Mukami and Eunice Ngina.

MAKUENI COUNTY TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY

This policy identifies key challenges facing the sector and spells out specific interventions to address them as well as presenting a raft of measures that will strengthen our institutional capacity and put in place mechanisms for coordinated approaches in developing the sector.

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MAKUENI COUNTY TRADE AND INVESTMENT POLICY

MAKUENI COUNTY TOURISM POLICY

The policy provides for development of a legal and institutional framework for effective coordination and management of the sector to enhance cross and inter-sectoral linkages as well as building of public private partnerships.

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MAKUENI COUNTY TOURISM POLICY

MAKUENI COUNTY TO UNVEIL MANGO MARKETING FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT FARMERS

Makueni, Wote 12th December 2024.

Makueni County is developing a Mango Fruit marketing framework to protect Farmers and ensure proper pricing for the crop.

Governor Mutula Jr says the County has rolled out a series of Business to Business (B2B) meetings involving value-chain stakeholders such as lead farmers and off -takers where a framework for marketing has been developed.

“Beginning this Friday, Ward meetings are going to begin to create awareness on quantities to be off taken by different off takers, pricing and mode of payment”.

He called upon farmers to actively participate and ensure their concerns are noted and addressed through the process.

“We will say no to bad prices, and brokers,” Mutula emphasized.

The Governor was speaking while presiding over Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Unoa Grounds in Wote.

The governor outlined his government’s commitment on developing Agriculture in the county.

He also presented Ksh. 6 million to six Ward-based Saccos as part of the ongoing National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) where the government seeks to empower 156,000 farmers with skills and resources across key value chains including mangoes, apiculture, tomatoes, dairy and poultry.

County Commissioner Duncan Darusi warned locals against vandalizing critical government infrastructure saying those involved will be dealt with.

Also in attendance were Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Secretary Dr Justus Kyambi and other top County officials.

MAKUENI COUNTY TO SCREEN OVER 152, 000 RESIDENTS FOR VISION PROBLEMS, PROVIDE 12,000 SPECTACLES TO BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

Department of Health services in collaboration with sightsavers organised a co- creation workshop to support the implementation of Boresha Macho project.

The initiative is designed to address refractive error challenges and reduce preventable visual impairments across the County.

The two- year initiative seeks to achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in eye health.

Sightsavers is introducing the project to help meet the World Health Organisation’ s global target of a 40% increase in effective coverage of refractive error services.

Health Services Ag.Dr. Stephen Mwatha added that the County Government will build capacity of atleast 300 teachers and 365 community health promoters to conduct screenings and create awareness at the community level.

The workshop brought together key health stakeholders including Makueni County Referral Hospital CEO Ms Martha Munyao, Dr. Chomba among other departmental heads, who helped in planning the practical implementation of this transformative project.

MAKUENI COUNTY TO REVIVE AGRICULTURAL SHOW

County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Joyce Mutua, has announced plans to revive the Makueni Agricultural Show.

The return of the show will provide a national platform for Makueni farmers to showcase their best practices and technologies in agriculture, Mutua said.

Mutua said the agricultural expo will enhance the marketing aspect of the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), a five- year initiative funded by the World Bank through the national government.

She made the announcement on Thursday during a validation forum on the targeted value chains funded under NAVCDP in Kiu, Makindu ward.

MAKUENI COUNTY THIRD QUARTER FY 2020-21 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

The Budget implementation report highlights progress made in implementation of the Makueni County Government Budget for the Financial Year 2020/2021, for the period ending 31 st March 2021. It also presents the key challenges that faced budget implementation during the reporting period and appropriate recommendations to overcome these challenges.

The total revenues mobilized in the first 9 months of FY 2020/21 were Kshs 6,114,904,288.29 representing 63 percent of the total budgeted revenues for the Financial Year. The overall County expenditure for the period amounted to Kshs. 4,340,822,834.09 against a Revised Budget of Kshs 11,672,939,708.37 representing an absorption rate of 27.38 percent for the first 9 months of FY 2020/2021. The recurrent expenditures were kshs 2,921,044,056.04 against a revised budget of Kshs 6,674,864,837.98 which translated to an absorption rate of 37 per cent. The development expenditure for the first 9 months of the FY 2020/21 were Kshs 1,419,778,778.05 against a revised budget of Kshs 4,998,074,870.39 representing an absorption rate of 28 percent.

The Budget was the third to implement the CIDP 2018-22 and was anchored on the County Government agenda of socio economic transformation with a broad focus on community economic empowerment
for increased household income.

MAKUENI COUNTY TEAMS UP WITH KCB TO BOOST REVENUE COLLECTION, OFFERS DISCOUNTS FOR EARLY PAYMENTS.

Makueni County has entered into a strategic partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank to streamline and enhance revenue collection, targeting Ksh 1.5 billion in Own- source Revenue for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The KCB team on Tuesday held talks with County Secretary, Dr. Justin Kyambi and County Executive Committee Member, Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, Damaris Kavoi.

The KCB team was led by David Nyamu, General Manager, Sovereign and Public Sector during the official launch at the Governor’s Office in Wote.

As part of the initiative, the County launched a five-day public awareness campaign to educate businesses and landowners on the importance of paying land rates, renewing business permits and settling other County dues.

To encourage timely compliance, the county is offering discounts for early payments:

10% discount on unpaid bills of up to Ksh 10,000 and 5% discount on unpaid bills exceeding Ksh 10,000.

Boniface Mutua, Chief Officer for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, also attended the event.

MAKUENI COUNTY TEAMS UP WITH CPHD TO ENHANCE MATERNAL HEALTHCARE THROUGH AI INNOVATIONS

In a significant stride towards enhancing maternal healthcare, the Makueni County Department of Health Services has forged a strategic partnership with the Center for Public Health and Development (CPHD) to bolster referral systems. The initiative aims to revolutionize access to cutting-edge technologies, particularly AI Point-of-Care Ultrasound (AI POCUS).

The collaboration, which targets improving access, utilization, and the quality of antenatal care services for expectant mothers, marks Makueni as one of Kenya’s 18 representative counties for this pioneering effort.

Dr. Paul Musila, the County Executive Committee Member for Health Services, underscored the initiative’s importance, highlighting that selected health facilities will soon integrate AI POCUS capabilities. This technological advancement is poised to strengthen the bond between pregnant women and healthcare providers, while also engaging government regulators and financing bodies in the process.

The partnership with CPHD is poised to establish a supportive environment conducive to policy and regulatory reforms, facilitating the widespread adoption of AI-enabled point-of-care ultrasound technology across Makueni County.