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KeNHA to partner with Makueni in revamping road safety measures

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is seeking to partner with Makueni in a move to improve road safety measures on all roads that fall within the KeNHA purview in the county.

This was revealed today following a courtesy call by KeNHA Lower Eastern Regional Director Eng. James Kariuki to H.E Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr.

Eng. Kariuki said that they were embarking on various interventions towards ensuring that the roads are safer for users in Makueni.

Some of the proposed areas of collaboration include: rolling out tree-planting exercises along the roads, joint solutions regarding traffic issues caused by Matatus parking on the road shoulders, and relocation of traders spreading in road reserves across various market centers.

However, it was observed that the county government should liaise with KeNHA before allocating permits to businesses abutting roadways to ensure that the businesses are viable in view of location and safety

Sensitization of citizens on the importance of protection and preservation of the road asset was also emphasized.

Governor Mutula raised concerns about the increasing deaths of traffic hawkers operating in the towns of Salama, Emali, and Sultan-Hamud among other towns along the Northern corridor section urging KeNHA for immediate intervention to ensure the safety of the traders.

 

KeNHA AND MAKUENI COUNTY RAMPS UP ROAD SAFETY EFFORTS

In a bid to enhance road safety and curb illegal roadside activities, the State Department of Roads, through KeNHA held a consultative meeting with the County Government of Makueni at Kusyombunguo Hotel. The meeting prompted by the National Security Committee following the tragic Londiani accident on June 30, 2023 which claimed 52 lives focused on moderlities of addressing market encroachments onto road reserves and ensuring adherence to road safety regulations in Makueni County.

Led by KeNHA Lower Eastern Regional Director Eng. J. Kariuki and also attended by the County Commissioner, the meeting resolved to the formation of a multi-sectoral committee that will include representatives from the National and County Governments, KeNHA, KURA, business stakeholders, traders, and the public. The multi-Sectoral committee will strategize on public awareness and implementation of the national road safety directive that provides a remedy to increased road accidents along major roads. The solution involves clearing encroached road reserves, designating land for markets and addressing illegal roadside parking, dumping and trading activities.

The County Government was prominently represented by CECMs Eng. Sebastian Kyoni (Infrastructure), Dr. Sonia Nzilani (Trade), Eng. John Kieti (Water and Sanitation), and Mr. Nicholas Nzioka (Lands).

This collaborative exercise highlights KeNHA’s commitment to creating safe, orderly and business-friendly environment.

KEEPING STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr today signed a Memorandum of Understanding, 2023-2027 Plan of Operations and 2023-2024 annual work plan with World Food Programme (WFP).

This signing will allow World Food Programme to accelerate implementation of development activities such as drought emergency response starting early 2024.

WFP Kenya was represented by it’s Country Director, Lauren Landis. Makueni County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa was also present to witness the signing.

“Keeping Girls in School-Ending the Period of Shame”

The 1st Lady of Makueni County in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Governor, the Ministry of Gender, Youth & Social Services and the Ministry of Education and Civic Education is spearheading the initiative: “Keeping Girls in School-Ending the Period of Shame” in ten (10) pilot primary schools in six Sub-counties.The broad objective of this project is to provide sanitary towels and underwear to needy school girls from disadvantaged families in Makueni County.

The first annual 1st Lady’s Fundraising Dinner for Sanitary Towels was held on Friday 30th 2014 at Kusyombunguo Hotel in Makueni. We also conducted psychoeducation and community health trainings for parents and teachers in 10 pilot schools in all the six sub-counties in Makueni.The official launch of “Keeping Girls in School-Ending the Period of Shame”project will take place on Monday June 16th at Kikongooni Primary School in Kaiti Sub-county as we also celebrate the Day of the African Child Celebrations.We, therefore,request you to join us on Friday 13th June 2014 at Sarova Panafric Hotel for the second 1st Lady’s Annual Fundraising Dinner for Sanitary Towels Why get involved:I always panic when this time comes, I remember the pain I go through when I do not have pads and I have to use pieces of old clothes.

When I use pieces of old clothes I get some bruises and burns, walking is difficult and it is very uncomfortable, during this time I want to be alone. This makes me feel very uncomfortable especially when the piece of cloth gets out of place or get soaked. I recall one day when the piece of cloth got out of place while I was in the school compound with other pupils, it was so embarrassing trying to put it back in place without raising eyebrows. Other girls made fun of me, it spread to the whole school and every one especially the boys laughed at me….. I wanted to drop out of school”-Mueni (not her real name).The 1st Lady of Makueni therefore calls upon you to support this charitable fundraising dinner as a great way of supporting the initiative of “Keeping Girls’ in School-Ending the Period of Shame”. Together Let us Keep our Girls in School and End the Period of Shame!

KCDMS, Makueni Drum for Conservative Agriculture

At least 4,000 makueni farmers will benefit from free deep tillage services, ahead of the short rains in a bid to increase agricultural productivity and profitability.
 
USAID funded Feed the Future Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems Activity (KCDMS) in conjunction with the county government of Makueni will engage 30 Tractor service providers to offer free deep tillage services among farmers.
Deep tillage popularly known as conservative agriculture is a climate adoption methodology where farmers are encouraged to use chisel plough/sub soiler instead of the convectional disc plough.
 
This offer will run for one month before the short rains commence in October and it acts as an incentive to farmers to adopt these practices by providing them with cost-effective solutions that can significantly improve soil health and crop yield.
 
Makueni County Agriculture and Irrigation Chief Officer Daniel Ndolo and KCDMS Senior Technical Advisor  Brenda Aluda on Monday flagged off a 2-day deep tillage campaign to sensitize farmers on conservative agriculture.
Aluda noted that over the last seasons farmers in the region have been reaping low farm produce as a result of drought that had hit the area due to climate change. 
 
“The reason why we are focusing today on soil and water conservation measures is because Makueni, Kitui and Taita Taveta have experienced drought due to climate change in the past two seasons and with insufficient water farmers have been reaping little farm produce,” said Aluda.
 
Ndolo on his part called on farmers to take advantage of the free deep tillage services and adopt conservative Agriculture for increased yield and food security at the household level.

Kaunguni residents urge government to prioritize water projects

Over 500 Residents of Kaunguni – Muuni Sub- Ward in Nguumo Ward have unanimously prioritized and proposed  a mega Water project in a bid to enhance agricultural and livestock productivity for improved livelihoods in their area.

In a public participation forum on Thursday presided by Makueni Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau and attended by Gender and Trade  Executives Godfrey Makau and Sebastian Kyoni respectively and a section of Makueni County Assembly members led by MCA Alfred Mutuku, the residents identified water scarcity as the major challenge.

They said if the right interventions are put in place then the problem would be resolved and water network widened to reach  many who lack access today.

Further they lauded the department of health services as the best performing in the county for implementation of the universal health care that has seen the county citizenry access medical services at no cost.

“The department of health is leading in the county because we are being treated for free in our facilities. We urge the other department to step so that we can grow together in every sector in our county, ” said Mutua Masai, a representative from Kaunguni-East cluster.

The DG said: “Like I have said in other forums, we are focusing on mega projects that can impact a larger population. This is what we are calling the paradigm shift.”

KATHONZWENI, KYANDUYA VTCS SCOOP TOP POSITIONS IN SOLO PERFORMANCES.

Makueni’s Vocational Training Centres lit up the stage at Meru School on Day 4 of the Kenya Music Festivals, with breathtaking solo performances that left a mark on the national stage. Representing the Eastern region, our stars didn’t just sing — they conquered!

Patricia Mbithe from Kathonzweni VTC and Teresia Maluni from Kyanduya VTC scooped position 1 in Solo Soprano and Solo Alto respectively, performing “Early One Morning” and “All Through the Night.”

Teresia Munini from Kyanduya VTC emerged position 2 in Solo Soprano, while her counterparts from Nduluku and Kathonzweni VTCs took position 2 and 3 respectively in Solo Alto — a proud moment for Makueni County’s VTCs on the national stage.

KATHONZWENI DEVELOPMENT TOUR

Govenor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr commissions Kwa Mbila earth dam solar power project during his development tour of Kathonzweni Ward.

The 11,760 watts solar system replaces a diesel powered water pump which supplies water to 23 villages in Kathonzweni and Kitise/Kithuki wards. The project serves 13,500 beneficiaries.