Skip to content Skip to left sidebar Skip to footer

News

MAKUENI FARMERS SET TO LEARN THROUGH DEMO PLOTS

The County Department of Agriculture on Monday held a sensitization forum for extension officers on the establishment and management of Ward Agriculture Demonstration Plots.

The one-day training focused on step-by-step guidance in key value chain sectors—apiculture, mango, poultry, tomato and dairy—aimed at equipping officers to better guide farmers on improved farming practices.

Speaking during the session, CECM Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, Liz Muli, emphasized the importance of standardized procedures, clear timelines, and defined responsibilities in setting up demo plots.

“These demonstration sites will serve as practical classrooms where farmers can learn hands-on modern farming methods,” she noted.

The project will set up demonstration farms in every ward across the county, totalling 120 demos: 26 in apiculture, 22 in dairy, 24 in mango, 29 in poultry and 19 in tomato.

Funded by National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, the initiative aims to promotes efficiency, accountability and transparency while strengthening knowledge transfer to farmers.

Once fully implemented, the program will enhance food security, create employment and economically empower farming households across the county.

MAKUENI FARMERS EXPO 2024:EMPOWERING FARMERS FOR GROWTH.

Makueni County Government in partnership with Remington Africa and other key agricultural suppliers on Thursday hosted its first-ever Makueni Farmers Expo in 2024.

The event designed to promote modern farming practices brought together industry experts, farmers and suppliers for an insightful learning experience.

The expo which was attended by Deputy Governor Hon. Lucy Mulili featured live demonstrations, training sessions and exhibits showcasing the latest farming technologies and practices.

Farmers in attendance grabbed the opportunity to learn about innovative ways to improve their agricultural skills and boost productivity.

In her speech, Mulili encouraged farmers to adopt modern farming techniques and technologies to help commercialize farming in Makueni.

She emphasized that this would not only improve farm yields but also empower local farmers economically.

The expo also served as a platform for networking, allowing farmers to connect with businesses and explore potential partnerships for growth.

Mulili was joined by Chief Officers Japheth Kiminza, Daniel Ndolo and Felistus Mutune, responsible for Livestock, Devolution and the Office of the Governor, respectively.

Makueni eyes solar energy to power its installations

Makueni County has entered into a partnership agreement with GIGAWATT Global, a developer and supplier of renewable energy installations, to install solar power generators at agreed upon facilities.

The goal of this project, governor Kivutha Kibwana says, is to provide cheap, reliable and clean energy to power public installations and later markets and villages not connected to the national power grid.

Ultimately, the collaboration will lead to development of a 40MW solar project to bridge the energy supply gap in the county.

Governor Kibwana was upbeat that this will revamp the local economy and create great opportunities especially for young people.

Some of the institutions targeted for connectivity include: Makueni Fruit Processing Plant, Makindu Grain Processing Plant, health facilities, learning institutions as well as water distributions points.

The agreement was signed by Governor Kibwana and the Chief Executive Officer GIGAWATT GLOBAL Mr. Josef Abramowitz in Nairobi on Tuesday.

MAKUENI EYES KYISA TITLE DEFENSE AFTER SUCCESSFUL MKJ SUPA CUP TALENT HUNT

Makueni County has made a significant stride towards defending its Kenya Youth Inter-County Sports Association (KYISA) Games title after successfully conducting talent scouting during the MKJ Supa Cup County Finals.

The MKJ Supa Cup served as a platform to select all-star teams in football, volleyball, handball, and basketball that will represent the county at the 11th edition of KYISA, scheduled to take place in Laikipia from 10th to 19th April 2026.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., who graced the closing ceremony of this year’s MKJ Supa Cup, said his administration continues to invest in sports infrastructure development to ensure more young people have opportunities to nurture their talents and secure recruitment into elite national clubs.

MAKUENI EXPLORES STRATEGIC DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP WITH OPEN UNIVERSITY OF KENYA TO EMPOWER YOUTH AND MSMEs

A team from Open University of Kenya on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to the CECM Department of ICT, Education, and Internship, where strategic discussions on collaboration areas were held to advance digital transformation in Makueni County.

The delegation was led by Dr. Kelvin Wachira Kangethe and Dr. Kikete Wabuya from the school of Business & Economics and school of Science & Technology respectively.

The engagement explored key partnership areas including digital learning across ECDEs, VTCs, ICT Centres, and innovation programs.

Notable proposals included organizing an open day to facilitate youth exposure visits to Konza Technopolis, as well as sourcing trainers in emerging technologies through Open University of Kenya to strengthen local capacity building initiatives.

Following the discussions, the team proceeded to the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub where they conducted a digital literacy training for MSMEs. The session focused on equipping entrepreneurs with practical skills in digital marketing, use of digital business tools, data-driven decision-making, and inventory management enhancing their ability to compete and grow in the digital economy.

#DigitalTransformation#OpenUniversityofKenya#Makueni#Innovation#YouthEmpowerment#KonzaTechnopolis

MAKUENI EXPLORES PARTNERSHIP TO ENHANCE MEAT VALUE CHAIN

Masongaleni: May 2, 2024

Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua on Thursday toured Silgama Beef Ltd in Masongaleni, one of Makueni’s pioneering feedlot farms.

The objective of the visit was to exchange knowledge and explore avenues for partnership to enhance the meat value chain in the county.

They exchanged ideas on improving livestock management techniques, optimizing feed formulations, and implementing sustainable farming methods.

Mutua expressed her enthusiasm for potential partnerships between the county government and Silgama Beef Ltd to support local farmers and boost the meat value chain in Makueni.

Silgama Beef Ltd’s representatives showcased their innovative approaches to cattle rearing, emphasizing animal welfare standards, and efficiency in feedlot operations. They also highlighted their commitment to environmentally friendly practices and community engagement initiatives.

Mutua was accompanied by Livestock Director David Musyoki and the Area Member of County Assembly Brian Nzoka.

MAKUENI EXPLORES GREEN FINANCE TO FUND MEGA DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

Makueni County is exploring the financial markets to fund capital-intensive projects with huge development ripple effect.

With the help of Financial Sector Deepening- Kenya (FSD), an independent network that works to improve financial systems, the county is working with Price Waterhouse Cooper to develop bankable proposals for funding under the green finances program.

In a meeting with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, on Friday, to explore possible areas of funding, FSD top ranking officials led by Senior Green Finance Specialist Sarah Makena agreed to link the county with partners for funding of the development proposals.

Some of the targeted areas of development funding include: fruits processing and value addition; development of industrial parks; provision of green infrastructure and incentives to attract investors; Water harvesting and green energy development.

MAKUENI ESTABLISHES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH AVENUE GROUP.

In a bid to strengthen healthcare services, the Makueni County Government has established a strategic partnership with Avenue group, Nairobi.

This collaboration aims to establish a two-way platform for surgical training, mentorship, and research.

On Wednesday, the governor alongside Dr. Shannon Shibata-Germanos, Head of Proximie Global Health, visited Avenue group’s headquarters in Nairobi to discuss this promising alliance.

Governor Mutula emphasized the importance of fostering a collaborative relationship that would allow Makueni’s sub-county health facilities to work closely with Avenue group both digitally and in person.

This partnership is expected to include joint workshops, surgical training camps, mentorship programs, research initiatives, live demonstrations, and the co-publication of medical findings.

In attendance were Prof.Paul Odula, Head of Department of Surgery at the institution and Dr. Michael Mwachiro, Head of Gastroenterology among others.

MAKUENI ENTREPRENEUR TURNS BOABAB INTO BUSINESS GOLD

At the ongoing East Africa MSMEs Trade Fair in Nairobi, Makueni’s Rehema Madega from Kibwezi is showcasing how everyday resources can spark economic growth.

Rehema, the proprietor of Huruma Asili Foods, has transformed the baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata), commonly found in the lower parts of Makueni due to its drought resilience, into commercially appealing products.

She has developed Baobab Jam used as a bread spread .

The fruit is rich in vitamin C, calcium, potassium and dietary fiber, which help boost immunity and support digestion.

Additionally, Rehema has innovatively processed the fruit into a nutritious flour that can be used to prepare beverages and porridge.

Her innovation reflects the growing cottage industry movement in Makueni, where creativity and value addition are opening new income opportunities.

The Expo provides a platform for such local entrepreneurs to market their products regionally and beyond.

MAKUENI ENGAGES TOURISM PROMOTION FUND FOR DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

In a move to enhance tourism growth, officials from the Makueni County Culture and Tourism Directorates held discussions with the Tourism Promotion Fund Kenya (TPF) officials in Nairobi on Tuesday.

TPF, a corporate institution that supports the growth of Kenya’s tourism sector, provides financial assistance for developing tourism products and services, funds the promotion of Kenya as a top travel destination and mobilizes resources to support various tourism-related activities.

The meeting focused on exploring potential areas of collaboration in co-funding tourism development and promotion projects.

Leading the county delegation, Chief Officer for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani highlighted Makueni’s tourism potential, citing its strategic proximity to Tsavo and Chyulu National Parks.

The TPF Director for Programmes Management Doreen Okoyana welcomed the engagement stating, “We are committed to supporting initiatives that enhance tourism growth and sustainability across counties.”

This partnership aligns with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision of economically empowering residents through tourism.

The meeting was also attended by Tourism Director Dianah Muli, Culture Director Mutua Mulonzya and other county officials.