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MAKUENI GOVERNOR MUTULA KILONZO JR. HAS EMPHASIZED TO THE SENATE FINANCE AND BUDGET COMMITTEE THAT COUNTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING THEIR OWN FINANCE BILLS.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has emphasized to the Senate Finance and Budget Committee that counties are responsible for preparing their own Finance Bills, which must align with national economic policies without undermining them.

Speaking in Nairobi before the committee, chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba, Mutula cited Article 209 (5) of the Constitution, arguing that counties deserve their equitable share of revenue, as it is a constitutional right, not a favor from the national government.

He explained that under Article 203 (3), the equitable share for counties is based on the last audited accounts approved by the National Assembly, not on projected revenue.

The governor added that Article 203 (1)(I) ensures counties receive stable and predictable allocations, protecting them from revenue shortfalls.

Mutula also pointed out that Section 5 of the Division of Revenue Act, 2024, states that if actual revenue falls short, the national government absorbs the shortfall, and any surplus also accrues to it. Article 219 further mandates that county funds must be transferred without delay or deductions.

The governor expressed concern that the Commission on Revenue Allocation had not provided recommendations for the Finance Bill, 2024, and Parliament had yet to vote on it, as required under Article 205. He also noted that counties’ equitable share is excluded from the national government’s budget estimates, as per Article 221 (7), and is drawn from the Consolidated Fund.

Mutula concluded by stating that national economic policies should not negatively affect county allocations or their operations.

MAKUENI GOVERNOR, MUTULA KILONZO JNR HOSTS YOUTHS FROM NAIROBI AT THE MAKUENI TECH AND INNOVATION HUB.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr says the youth need to acquire digital skills in the fast changing world of the digital economy.

Speaking at the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub in Wote when he met 40 youths from Nairobi undergoing training under the Kenya Creative Industries Programme, Governor Mutula said such training fosters entreprenuership and is a pathway to sustainable livelihoods. The youth are on a bencmarking tour in Makueni County. The programme is sponsored by an international NGO, Finn Church Aid (FCA). The group also visited Ajiry Centre.

FCA believes that visiting the two facilities will greatly benefit participants by offering insights into the innovation and technology sectors.

FCA is a Finnish International Aid Organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations in fragile and disaster-affected areas.

FCA Kenya is coordinating the digital skills training designed to nurture and develop talent in various creative fields. The program offers a 5-month training and mentorship in animation and motion design, graphic design and digital illustration, web design and development and digital marketing.

At the two facilities in Makueni County, the learners were exposed to real-world projects, (3D printing, music production, photography and videography) workflows and processes through presentations and tours and networking opportunities by Makueni ICT teams.

MAKUENI GOVERNOR LAUNCHES ADVANCED HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY IN KIBWEZI SUBCOUNTY HOSPITAL

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr unveiled a state-of-the-art computerized X-ray processor at Kibwezi Subcounty Hospital on Friday, that will revolutionize healthcare services in Kibwezi subcounty hospital.

In addition to the X-ray processor, Governor Kilonzo Jr. handed over a new operating table and a biosafety cabinet designed for the safe processing of tuberculosis specimens.

This new X-ray processor is one of four procured to enhance medical services in the county. The other units are installed at Sultan Hamud, Tawa, Mbooni, and Kilungu subcounty hospitals.

Governor Kilonzo Jr. emphasized that the new technology will greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of radiographic examinations, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Makueni Governor Fetes Music Festival Winners

Makueni Governor H.E Mutula Kilonzo Junior has hailed Makueni students who participated in this year’s National Music Festivals as true ambassadors of our culture, tourism and the ‘Brand Kenya’. The Governor was speaking at an event held at the PWD Centre grounds in Wote, where the students presented the winning choral verses and songs to fellow students and teachers. This was the first time winning teams have been hosted by the County Government in Makueni.

The schools received trophies from the County Government in recognition of their performance at the music festivals that were held in Kisumu recently.

He reiterated the need to nurture the nascent talents and converting them into employable skills after school. The Governor also feted students who represented Kenya in the East African athletics games in triple jump and track events.

The schools that presented their pieces were Mbooni Boys, Makueni Boys, Makueni Girls, Mukaa Girls, Mwaani Girls, AIC Mutongu Primary, Kītī Kyumu Primary and AIC Kathonzweni Primary School. The County Director of Education, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association and Primary schools associations were all represented.

Makueni goes Cashless in Revenue Collection with Damaris Kavoi-ECM Finance

Officials drawn from the Department of Finance, Planning, Budget & Revenue led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Finance, Damaris Kavoi on Friday carried out a day-long exercise sensitizing Wote business community on the move to digitizing the Revenue Collection exercise across the county.

The exercise aims at easing the operations which include; the time taken to process business permits, and cashless parking fee payment methods, among others.

She also pointed out that the government is committed to ensuring the smooth running of activities through modern digitization.

Makueni, GIZ in partnership talks

The First Lady H.E Anita Mutula today held a consultative meeting with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) corporation where they discussed possible areas of working together.

GIZ is an international organization that works with national, international, and private sector partners and concerns itself with priority areas; sustainable economic development, renewable energy, and climate change.

GIZ eyes to partner with the County through the office of the First Lady to empower women from deep within the villages.

The partnership aims at creating more consumer awareness and adoption of new friendly technologies such as improved cooking stoves for locals among others.

Anita was thrilled by the new technology saying that it will create jobs for the youth and reduce respiratory problems linked to firewood use.

500 Makueni girl students to benefit from Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Career Mentorship

At least 500 girls from six secondary schools in Makueni will benefit from a one year mentorship and skills development in a bid to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and careers.

The mentorship programme is courtesy of a project dubbed GIRLS IN STEM launched on Monday at Mbooni Girls National School through a partnership between Youth and Success Association (YASA) and the Government of Makueni County.

The project will involve outstanding professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) interacting with girl students in form two in an intensive career mentorship to encourage and support them to achieve their full potentials in STEM.

According to Mildred Mudany, the Chief Executive Officer Help Reach Africa, who holds a PhD in Tropical Medicine, the project aims to achieve among others: Ensure higher participation and leadership of girls and Women on STEM; To open up well paying career opportunities for girls and women; To build self confidence among girls and women; Increase awareness and participation of girls and women in STEM and Innovation as well as increase the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (1, 2, 4, 5, 8 and 17)

The project was launched during an occasion to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in STEM, and was graced by among others: Governor Kivutha Kibwana, County First Lady Nazi Kivutha, KenGen Chief Quality Engineer Catherine Nyambala.

As we celebrate women and girls in STEM, we have come to stimulate interest from the earliest years, to combat stereotypes and engage girls across the County, in the nation and globally to pursue STEM careers and to mentor our girls and young women to change mindsets towards the STEM career”, said governor Kibwana.

Makueni gets World Bank nod on Credit Worthiness

Makueni county has been given a through pass by the World Bank on credit worthiness through a rating survey conducted by Global Credit Rating Agency, under the County Credit-Worthiness Initiative.

The County Credit Worthiness Initiative is a collaboration between the National Treasury, Commission on Revenue Allocation, Capital Markets Authority and County Governments Supported by the World Bank Group.

The initiative aims at building the capacity of county governments to access long-term development financing from the capital markets to fund capital intensive infrastructure growth, which would otherwise have take years to achieve through the equitable revenue share financing.

Makueni alongside Bungoma and Kisumu were chosen for piloting of this initiative after agreeing to institute strengthened financial management systems, fiscal structures that support responsible borrowing and institutionalized framework that can oversee sustainable county government borrowing.

The three had their Credit Ratings unveiled in public by CRA on Wednesday in Nairobi, in an event attended by respective governors; Kivutha Kibwana, Wycliffe Wangamati, Anyang’ Nyong’o and Officials from World Bank, National Treasury and CMA.

By Financial Year 2020/2021, the counties will be able to access credit financing from the capital markets through County bonds, Infrastructure bonds, Corporate bonds or securitization of receivables such as own source revenue.

Some of the Key funding sources for this financing plan include pension schemes, insurance companies, SACCOs, diaspora and Collective Investment Schemes.

MAKUENI GETS READY AHEAD OF MANGO PEAK SEASON.

Are you a mango farmer in Makueni County seeking a reliable and fair market for your produce? The Makueni County Fruit Development and Marketing Authority is now ready to receive mangoes from farmers across the county as from Thursday this week.

Under the new arrangement, contracted cooperatives will purchase mangoes directly from farmers at the farm gate at KSh 19 per kilogram.

In the current financial year, the county government plans to purchase mangoes worth KSh 13.9 million, up from KSh 11 million spent in the previous financial year.

Speaking during a meeting chaired by deputy governor Lucy Mulili at the Kalamba fruit processing plant on Tuesday, CECM for Agriculture Elizabeth Muli said seven contracted cooperatives have been allocated specific zones from which to source mangoes.

Each cooperative is expected to deliver at least 50 metric tonnes of mangoes weekly to the factory which has a daily processing capacity of 70 metric tonnes.

The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph Kioko reported that at least 60 casual workers have been engaged at the plant during the processing period.

To protect farmers from exploitation by middlemen, who previously purchased produce at low prices, the Authority has introduced official pricing schedules.

These schedules will be signed by farmers upon sale of their produce to ensure transparency and accountability.

The initiative is part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration’s efforts to grow household incomes and promote trade & industrialization through agro processing.

MAKUENI GEARS UP TO DOMINATE KYISA GAMES AGAIN AS CHAMPIONS EYE HOMA BAY GLORY!

Makueni County is on a mission to conquer once more! Fresh off their stunning triumph at last year’s Kenya Youth Inter-county Sports Association (KYISA) games in Malindi, the defending champions are charging into Homa Bay with fire in their hearts and victory on their minds.

In an electrifying flag-off ceremony on Friday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. handed the county flag to six teams—men and women primed for glory—as they prepare to battle for supremacy from April 13th to 19th.

“We are not just participating—we are defending our crown!” declared Governor Mutula, expressing confidence in the squads assembled from the just concluded MKJ Supa Cup.

Last year, Makueni left opponents in the dust, clinching gold in men’s volleyball and dominating women’s football. Now, with Homa Bay in their sights, the champions are hungry to prove their reign is no fluke.