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DR. VICTORIA KYALO, CHIEF OFFICER FOR AGRICULTURE, PARTICIPATED IN A TRAINING SESSION FOR FARMER SERVICE CENTRE (FSC).

August 14th, 2024.

Dr. Victoria Kyalo, Chief Officer for Agriculture, participated in a training session for Farmer Service Centre (FSC) providers at Kusyombunguo. Organized by the Makueni County Government and the World Food Program (WFP).

This event aims to enhance collaboration among agricultural stakeholders, including farmers, agro-input dealers, and marketers, focusing on value chains like mangoes, citrus, poultry, horticulture, aquaculture, and apiculture.

Dr. Kyalo emphasized the county’s dedication to supporting these stakeholders, ensuring that they can effectively assist farmers in improving production and market linkages. The session saw the first cohort of 25 FSC providers, with a second cohort of 28 set to join later in the week.

Later, Dr. Kyalo, alongside Chief Officer Livestock and Fisheries Japheth Kiminza, opened a report writing retreat for the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) at Shushan Hotel Makindu.

Dr. Kyalo was accompanied by Director of Agriculture Mary Muteti among other officials.

MAKUENI SELF-SERVICE PORTAL TO EASE PAYMENT OF FEES BY BUSINESS PEOPLE.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County is set to launch a self-service portal to simplify the payment of fees and charges for traders and businesspeople, Finance County Executive Committee Member Damaris Kavoi has announced.

The self-service portal will enable business owners to efficiently manage their transactions from the comfort of their own homes. 

Through this platform, they will be able to register their businesses, view invoices and customer statements, make payments and access permits and licences without the need for in-person visits.

The new system represents a major upgrade from the current process, which involves manual intervention and has been slow and costly.

CEC Kavoi spoke in Wote on Wednesday during a media briefing on the County performance for the Financial Year 2023-2024.

In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, Makueni County allocated 30% of its annual procurement budget to youth, women, and people with disabilities, fostering inclusivity, affirmative action and entrepreneurship.

The County Government also allocated over 40% of its annual procurement budget to local contractors, significantly exceeding the 20% threshold mandated by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act. This allocation aimed to strengthen local businesses and create job opportunities.

CEC Kavoi was accompanied by Chief Officers Boniface Mutua and John Nguni and directors from the County Treasury.

MAKUENI UNVEILS DIGITAL SYSTEM TO REGISTER SUPPLIERS.

August 14, 2024

Makueni County has introduced a new digital registration system for suppliers in a bid to streamline operations.

The system is designed to enhance transparency and accountability, with every step being trackable and open to scrutiny.Suppliers can now register from the convenience of their homes or offices, saving valuable time and resources.

The County will benefit from a comprehensive database of suppliers across all categories, leading to informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation.

The digital system also acts as a robust safeguard against corrupt practices, ensuring that only the most qualified and legitimate suppliers are considered for partnerships with the county.

This digital transformation is poised to increase efficiency, promote fair competition, and drive faster economic growth in Makueni County.

Makueni County Procurement Portal https://www.procurement.makueni.go.ke

MAKUENI COUNTY ENGAGES CITIZENS TO PRIORITIZE 2025-26 PROJECTS

Wote: August 13th 2024

Makueni County Treasury has kicked off public participation forums at the ward level to engage citizens in prioritizing projects and programs for implementation during the 2025-26 financial year. The forums aim to incorporate citizens’ views into the County Annual Development Plan (CADP) 2025-26, which will form the basis for the implementation of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-27.

The meetings are scheduled to take place today in 15 wards, with the remaining wards to be engaged on Thursday. The County Committee Member for Finance and Socio-Economic Planning, Damaris Kavoi, officially opened the Wote ward forum at Wote Social Hall on Tuesday.

In her address, Kavoi highlighted a significant budget cut of Kshs. 430 million due to reduced allocation from the National Treasury. This reduction impacts planned projects and programs at the ward level. She assured County residents that the County Government is actively seeking solutions to address the deficit and ensure continued service delivery to residents.

The theme of the current Annual Development Plan is “Stimulating Local Economies for Shared Prosperity. “

MULILI STRESSES COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AT COUNTY STEERING GROUP MEETING”

On Tuesday, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili represented Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. at the County Steering Group meeting.

This legal advisory body oversees county initiatives, programs, and projects.

Mulili emphasized the need for community sensitization before project initiation and praised Welt Hunger Hilfe for their successful implementation of water and education infrastructure in the county. She highlighted the organization’s impactful work.

Alice Munyao, the County Drought Coordinator for the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Makueni, supported Mulili’s view, noting that community involvement in the planning stages fosters ownership of projects.

The County Steering Group, which includes the county governors, the county commissioner (co-chairs), and the NDMA as the secretariat, provides leadership and coordination on collaborative issues.

Members also include representatives from county government departments, development partners, and NDMA.

GOVERNOR MUTULA HOSTS SWEDISH AMBASSADOR FOR BILATERAL TALKS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Monday welcomed the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, for a series of discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two regions.

The meeting, held at the Governor’s office, focused on key areas of mutual interest such as the environment, technology and innovation, and agriculture.

Governor Kilonzo expressed the County Government’s willingness to engage in further bilateral discussions, particularly on climate change and technology sectors critical to Makueni’s development.

Ambassador Vicini praised the county’s efforts in youth empowerment during her visit to the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub and the Ajiry Center.

Ambassador Vicini commended Makueni County’s sustainable water management initiatives after visiting the Kwa Kitungu Sand Dam along the Kaiti River in Wote Municipality.

She later addressed residents of Mbooni near Kivale Forest, highlighting the importance of these environmental efforts.

The events were attended by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Commissioner Henry Wafula, CECMs, Majority Leader Kisungi wa Katete, and area MCA Felix Mateso, Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani), Eng. Joseph Muema (Mukaa) and Alexander Mulemba (Mbooni).

THE DEPARTMENT OF GENDER, CHILDREN, YOUTH, SPORTS AND SOCIAL SERVICES HAS CONCLUDED A HIGH-LEVEL STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT FORUM ON ULTRA POOR GRADUATION (UPG) POLICY IN WOTE.

The Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services has concluded a high level stakeholder engagement forum on Ultra Poor Graduation (UPG) Policy in Wote.

The policy which is steered by the department in partnership with Village Enterprise aims to create a framework for resource mobilization to help ultra poor residents build financial capacity and graduate to socio-economic resilience and self sufficiency.

Once graduated, the beneficiaries will be in a position to acquire financial capacity to access banking facilities either from mainstream banks or the Makueni County Empowerement Fund (MCEF).

TODAY, FARMERS FROM KATHONZWENI, MAVINDINI, AND MUVAU WARDS TOOK PART IN A FIELD DAY AT MUAMBA IKUNGU VILLAGE IN KATHONZWENI WARD, MAKUENI COUNTY.

Today, farmers from Kathonzweni, Mavindini, and Muvau wards took part in a field day at Muamba Ikungu village in Kathonzweni Ward, Makueni County.

The event, organized by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), showcased new drought-resistant sorghum varieties: Smart, Ndume, and Jasiri.

These varieties are known for their high yields, nutritional benefits (rich in calcium and iron), and bird resistance, with potential yields of up to 18 bags per acre. This could generate Ksh. 105,000 per acre against a production cost of Ksh. 20,000 per acre.

Joyce Mutua, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, praised the initiative for its potential to improve nutrition, food security and local livelihoods, assuring that certified seeds would be distributed by reputable institutions to farmers within the County.

The event also saw the attendance of Mary Muteti, Director of Agriculture, Dr. Patrick Ketiem from KARLO, and Dr. Chris Ojiewo from CIMMYT.

MAKUENI LAUDED FOR EXEMPLARY GOVERNANCE AND INNOVATION AT PEER REVIEW SUMMIT

Makueni County has been feted for its outstanding public participation governance model by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) /African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Kenya Secretariat at the inaugural National County Peer Review Mechanism Summit held in Nairobi on Wednesday.

The County Peer Review Mechanism (CPRM) is a voluntary self-assessment tool for Kenyan counties, designed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, reinforcement of best practices, identification of deficiencies, and assessment of capacity-building needs to promote political stability, economic growth, and sustainable development.

Makueni, assessed alongside 11 other counties, scored an impressive 71% in public participation. The review, conducted by the CPRM’s Panel of Eminent Persons, involved citizen feedback on devolution since 2013 and covered four main thematic areas: Democracy and Political Governance, Economic Governance and Management, Socio-Economic Development, and Corporate Governance.

The county was also commended for its Green Roads for Water initiative, which integrates water management and re-greening into road design.

Makueni also earned praise for automating its Own Source Revenue (OSR) collection, achieving a revenue target of Kshs. 1 billion in the 2023/24 financial year.

The Maisha Meds Inventory Management System in Makueni also impressed the Panel of Eminent Persons. They urged other counties to adopt similar systems, noting that it has significantly improved the security of commodities in Makueni.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr received accolades for his leadership and pledged to sustain and enhance the county’s performance to ensure continued satisfaction among residents. He was accompanied by Finance CEC Damaris Kavoi and Chief Officer Socio Economic Planning Boniface Mutua.

FIRST COHORT OF SPONSORED STUDENTS COMPLETE EXAMS.

Kwa Kathoka, 6th August 2024

The Agricultural Training College (ATC) celebrated a significant milestone as the first cohort of fully sponsored students successfully completed their exams.

This initiative, supported by the Anglican Development Services (ADS) and the County Government of Makueni, aligns with the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Program (NAVCDP) and aims to enhance skills in key agricultural areas such as poultry, dairy, and horticulture.

The program’s focus on practical training, with a curriculum comprising 20% theory and 80% practical experience, prepares students for real-world applications.

Graduates are equipped to provide extension services or launch entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture.

CEC Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, encouraged other wards to follow the example of Kathonzweni Ward, which has already allocated funds to sponsor youths for these training programs.

She emphasized that such initiatives would help bridge the gap in agricultural training and equip the youth with the necessary skills to engage in agri-preneurship.