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Makueni steps up establishment of Food Safety Systems

In a bid to ensure quality agricultural products for both domestic and export markets, Makueni has shifted gears to building food safety systems.

According to governor Kivutha Kibwana, the aim of this campaign is to promote public health, and protecting the consumers against health hazards posed by unsafe agricultural products.

To achieve this feat, Makueni has partnered with Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT), and secured funding from the European Union through DANIDA to implement the campaign dubbed AgriFI Food Safety Programme.

At a meeting in Nairobi on Thursday between the Governor and officials from MESPT and the Royal Danish Embassy, it was agreed the programme will target three major value chains namely; Aquaculture, Dairy and horticulture.

MESPT acting Chief Executive Officer Charles Nyawade said the programme will involve among others:

Supporting the County Government in testing, surveillance and enforcement of Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary (SPS) regulations at the county level. This includes setting up of testing labs and provision of testing and surveillance kits and equipment.

Development and dissemination of value chain-based extension curricula modules, integrating the compliance to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) regulations.

Drive the consumer sensitization on food safety.

MESPT will also support development of the Agricultural Training Centre at Kwa Kathoka as one of the country’s model Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) centre.

The centre will be key in offering a holistic capacity building of all agricultural value chain actors especially farmers and extension officers.

According to Nyawade, the centre has already received two million shillings for basic infrastructural installations, while the county government has already established training infrastructure such as an aquatic hatchery, a fish farm as well as irrigation farm.

MAKUENI STEPS UP EFFORTS TO OPERATIONALIZE EMALI CHILD RESCUE CENTRE

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has intensified efforts to operationalize the Makueni County Child Rescue Centre at Mwanyani, Emali Mulala Ward.

As part of the preparations, County Executive Committee Member for Gender, Eng. Sebastian Kyoni, on Tuesday received a donation of play and art therapy materials from the Emali Dedicated Children Agency to equip the centre ahead of opening its doors to its inaugural cohort of rescued children.

Once operational, the centre will provide a safe haven for vulnerable children, offering not only shelter but also psychosocial support, counselling, education, and life skills training. It will implement structured rehabilitation programs aimed at reintegrating street-connected children back into society.

The newly donated materials will support professional counsellors and caregivers in addressing trauma while promoting emotional expression and healing among the children.

MAKUENI STEPS UP CAMPAIGN TO DEBUNK VACCINE MYTHS, BOOST IMMUNIZATION

The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with the National Vaccines and Immunization Program, on Wednesday hosted a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Wote to push back against vaccine misconceptions and rally support for routine immunization.

These forums are part of our social advocacy efforts for immunization. They are critical in raising awareness about the benefits of vaccines while addressing hesitancy through effective communication and strong community engagement.

Dr. Mwatha noted that the ultimate goal is to boost vaccine uptake across the county by building public confidence, fostering community ownership, and instilling a sense of responsibility in protecting children and families from preventable diseases.

Makueni stall became one among the most visited booths at the conference with a range of products

After the official opening of the Devolution Conference by president William Ruto on Wednesday that was also attended by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr , on Thursday Makueni stall became one among the most visited booths at the conference with a range of products.

The stall was among the most visited with participants particularly curious and eager to know more about MyMakueni County App, successes in mango sector, value addition, promotion of local tourism, among other areas.

Governors from other counties among other delegates were keen to detail the formula behind the Makueni success story.

Makueni sportsmen stamp authority at KYISA

Makueni continues to display its sporting prowess at the ongoing Kenya Inter-County Sports Association games in Busia.

So far, both men and women footballers have qualified for the knockouts as runners up behind Trans Nzoia (Men) and Kwale (Women).

On day three of the games, Wednesday, Makueni volleyball queens hammered their Nyandarua counterparts 3-0 sets thus securing a slot at the knock-out stages with a game in hand against hosts Busia.

In Men’s volleyball, Makueni will be on the pitch Thursday against Nyandarua having thrashed Kakamega 3-1 sets on Tuesday.

Makueni executive for Education, Sports and ICT Joshua Wambua is upbeat that the Makueni sportsmen, all under 23, are well prepared to go for silverware as the curtains draw on the 6th edition of the inter-county games on Saturday.

MAKUENI SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTRES (SBDC)’S TRAINING OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMES) IN KIKIMA-MBOONI.

The Department of Trade partnered with Kenya Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to support in the establishment of sustainable MSMEs by ensuring their full participation in the economy and creation of jobs. In Kikima-Mbooni, 148 entrepreneurs (116 females and 32 males) were trained on: Business finance management, bookkeeping, business conceptualization, spotting a business opportunity and market penetration. MSMEs were also sensitized on Soko-Makueni, a marketing e-portal platform, to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate and utilize the platform effectively.

A Section of Entrepreneurs Attending the Makueni SBDC Business Training Sessions in Kikima-Mbooni.

MAKUENI SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDFUND TO IMPROVE WELFARE OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Makueni has signed a working partnership with ChildFund and Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency (EDCA) to improve the welfare of vulnerable children in the county.

Under this five-year agreement, Makueni and the two Non-governmental institutions will fundraise to among others implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in schools and the community; support young people in vocational training; develop child friendly early childhood development centres as well as create safe spaces in the community where vulnerable children are protected and nurtured.

The overall goal, according to the MoU, is to connect children living in extreme poverty to resources, people and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and EDCA Chief Executive Officer Victor Aduda signed the partnership Tuesday morning.

MAKUENI SIGNS DEAL TO BOOST EDUCATION, JOBS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the Edu-WISE project, an initiative aimed at expanding access to education and employment opportunities for young people with disabilities.

The programme will be implemented in Nduluku, MIVEC and Kisingo vocational training centres.

Under the project, teachers and staff will receive training on disability inclusion, Kenyan Sign Language and life skills, while training centres will be equipped with adaptive learning materials and improved accessibility to support inclusive learning.

The project will also award 105 scholarships to vulnerable students with disabilities in Makueni to support vocational training, internships and small business start-ups. Private sector firms will be trained on disability inclusion and participate in inclusive job fairs to increase employment opportunities for graduates.

Speaking during the signing, Governor Kilonzo thanked the development partners for choosing Makueni, saying the initiative would improve the lives of persons with disabilities through better education, skills development and access to jobs.

Edu-WISE is funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and is implemented by CEFA in partnership with several organizations, including the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.

Makueni signs an MOU with Strathmore, WRI, edges in renewable sources of energy

H. E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday officially closed a two-days training involving chief officers on integrated energy planning and budgeting.

The closing ceremony was crowned with the signing of an MOU between the World Resources Institute (WRI), Strathmore University, and the Government of Makueni County.

The MOU outlines Makueni’s partnership on development and implementation of an Integrated County Energy Plan that gives guidelines on renewable energy resources, productive use of renewable energy and financing of County energy programs in the next 5 years.

Present during the ceremony were Ms Wanjira Mathai (Managing Director Africa and Global Partnerships -WRI), Prof Izael Da Silva (DVC Reasearch and Innovation – Strathmore University), Eng. Sebastian Kyoni (CECM Infrastructure, Transport, Public Works and Energy), Stanley Nthiw’a (County Attorney), the county solicitor, among others.

MAKUENI SIGNS AGREEMENTS TO BOOST WATER SERVICES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE

The Makueni County Government has signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at strengthening water service delivery and improving early childhood care.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday signed an agreement renewing the county’s partnership with Water Mission to enhance access to sustainable water solutions across Makueni.

Under the new framework, Water Mission will support the county in strengthening oversight of water utilities while promoting sustainability in water projects to improve service delivery to residents.

In a separate agreement, the county partnered with Kidogo Early Years to improve the quality of childcare in informal early learning centres.

The collaboration will focus on training informal childcare providers and supporting the operationalisation of community-based childcare centres to meet safe and sustainable standards. The programme also seeks to provide young children with quality early childhood care and a strong developmental foundation.

Governor Mutula said the partnerships underscore the county government’s commitment to expanding access to essential services through collaboration with development partners.