News

Makueni on the right track for effective implementation of nutrition programmes

Nutrition International country director Martha Nyagaya has lauded Makueni County for the implementation and effective use of funds in its primary health programs addressing malnutrition.

Martha spoke while addressing a meeting between Nutrition International and Makueni health officials on the implementation status of projects supported by NI.

In 2019, the county secured Sh. 30 Million in funding to scale up efforts towards the fight against malnutrition especially stunting which has reduced from 25.1% to 20% according to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022 KDHS).

The grant is complimentary to the county’s Sh 36 Million for the same cause as per the joint Nutrition financial agreement meant to actualize the implementation of the County Nutrition Action Plan (CNAP) that was unveiled in 2019.

Strides into the creation of the Konza buffer zone

Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, CECMs Sonia Nzilani (lands), Elizebeth Muli (ICT & Education) on Monday joined John Kipchumba Tanui, MBS. Principal Secretary – State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, Joseph Ole Lenku (Governor Kajiado), Francis Mwangangi Kilonzo (DG Machakos), John Paul Okwiri, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Konza Technopolis Development Authority(KoTDA) among other leaders during discussions on the creation of Konza Technopolis buffer zone to provide a good environment for investments.

The meeting set the following resolutions for the planning of the buffer zone

I. Republish the moratorium as the previous one has expired- This is to remind the stakeholders of the intended planning exercise

II. Enhance stakeholder engagement/ Public participation to understand the interest and rights of the Communities-Political leaders to be part of the agenda to support continued engagement with the members of the public

III. Identify quick wins to be shared with the public- This includes the beneficial effect of the exercise on the 73000 acres area of influence

IV. The moratorium is on- Need to appreciate the approved plan in 2013 which is still valid- Need to create a joint technical committee to start working at the Technopolis for the buffer zone area as a one-stop shop for all development applications

V. Allow now or in the future to develop a periodic schedule of meetings to brief the team/ country leadership on the progress

VI. Road Map- Consider and vote to approve adopt and allow to proceed with the implementation of the roadmap as presented by the chair ICJPLUPC.

Makueni to hold agriculture fair to expose farmers to new technologies

Makueni County through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Development is set to host the first-ever Famers Exchange and Expo at ATC Kwa-Kathoka from 2nd to 3rd March, 2023

The exhibition will provide a platform for farmers to learn from each other, especially on new technologies, and display their produce, equipment and technologies to potential clients who will be attending the agriculture fair.

Governor Mutula Meets ICT PS, roots for ease network connectivity

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior on Monday met ICT and Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui for a discussion on possible areas of collaboration to enhance connectivity and innovation in Makueni.

Key highlights of the meeting include

• Konza Technopolis Data Centre to host the county data to ensure security

• Establishment of a number of village digital hubs by June

• Upgrading of the current 14 Community ICT centres

• Support in automation of key government services

• Implementation of Kibwezi,Kathonzweni and Mbooni County Connectivity Projects

• Wote Technical Training institute to receive a donation of at least 100 computers

The department of ICT was tasked with identifying and mapping of two hotspot centers, to be operationalized by June this year.

Makueni to Roll out Countywide Mass Livestock Vaccination program

The County Government of Makueni through the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development is set to roll out a mass vaccination program in March, targeting at least 200,000 livestock across the county.

The livestock diseases targeted for vaccination include foot and mouth disease, Lumpy skin disease in cattle while sheep and goats will be vaccinated for contagious pneumonia and goat plague

Currently, the department has prioritized vaccination of dairy cows due to their vulnerability ahead of the mass vaccination.

According to Agriculture CEC Joyce Mutua, the exercise is being implemented in partnership with Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society Limited and aims at increasing household incomes of dairy farmers in Makueni through reduction of livestock disease outbreaks.

The Cooperative is facilitating the aggregation of animals at a central point for vaccination as well link the vaccinators to farmers who prefer vaccination of the animals in their own crushes and homes.

On its part, the county government is conducting farmer sensitization on livestock disease control and other veterinary matters, and coordinating the procurement, collection, storage and delivery of livestock vaccines

Mutua, however, adds that the services will be accessed at a subsidized fee of Sh. 50. Per animal.

County in collaboration with KCB Bank donates food stuffs to children homes

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday led a food donation drive at Kikumini primary school small home, Salama Kenya Baptist children’s home and Tumbuni community centre for children with special needs as a way of supporting meal expenses of special needs children.

Mulili thanked the management of the institutions for creating a world of equal opportunities for children with intellectual impairment among other disabilities.

At Tumbuni, the school provides the children with education and trainings such as weaving based on the child’s aptitude, intelligence and the type and extend of their disability.

The food stuffs donated include: baking flour, cooking oil, maize flour, rice, and beans, thanks to Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).

Development Tour of Kibwezi East

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on Friday embarked on his maiden development tour of Kibwezi-East for inspection and commissioning of several development projects.

The projects included: Inspection of the Tsavo East Game Park Electric Fence, commissioning of Mtito Andei Roads Grading, inspection of Mtito Andei hospital and launch of

The solar powered electric fence will put to an end the human-wildlife conflict eyesore which has made life a living hell!

500 households benefit from emergency livestock feeds

At least 500 selected households from Kilome Sub-County will benefit from emergency livestock feeds program, courtesy of a partnership between the County Government of Makueni and the European Union (EU) through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

The feeds will address the crisis of reduced quantity of pasture and fodder for livestock due to the little rainfall experienced in the area during the October-December rain season.

The distribution exercise was launched yesterday (Thursday) by Agriculture CEC Joyce Mutua and officials from NDMA in Kiima-kiu/Kalanzoni ward, and is ongoing in various locations within the sub-county.

Previously, the department of agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives Development has implemented various contingency activities in the livestock sector. Some of them are treatment and deworming of animals, vaccination of goats against Contagious Caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP 3), one of the most severe diseases of goats, and capacity building of officers on Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards.

Strategic Partnerships Review

Makueni County through the Directorate of Strategic Partnerships and Intergovernmental Relations on Wednesday embarked on a 3-day workshop to engage development partners with a view of co-auditing existing collaborations and chat the way forward.

According to Strategic Partnership Director Francis Nthuku, Makueni is a home of numerous and vibrant partners and its development success story cannot be complete without mentioning partnerships.

For instance, he noted, Makueni has been able to implement major flagship projects through collaborations. Some of them include the Wote Public Green Park, the Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant reconstituting line, the Public Participation Model, and the Grain Processing Plant at Makindu.

At the end of the workshop, the partners together with the county departments will identify areas of synergy to create new partnerships and deepen existing working relations to implement more development works to benefit the residents of Makueni.