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Uganda Benchmarks in Makueni

Uganda’s LDC-Led LIFE-AR initiative tasked with developing effective and long-term climate adaption interventions and delivering climate finance to local actors on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to H.E Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili during a benchmarking tour of the County.

The team led by Joseph Epitu, commissioner-water, and the Environment sector was taken through some of the interventions made by the county.

The county has set aside 2% of its development budget for climate financing as per the Makueni County Climate Change Act, 2022, and passed climate regulation, 2018, hence strengthening County Climate Change Fund (CCCF). Currently, the county is preparing to conduct a participatory Climate Risk Assessment (PCRA) so as to understand local climate risks and actions to build community resilience.

During their 2-day program, the delegates will have a field visit led by Dr. Sonia Nzilani, CECM, Land, Urban Planning & Development, Environment, and Climate Change to see how the county, partners have taken action in remediating climate change.

UCM partnership with SEKEB focuses on education and workforce development

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The University of Central Missouri is partnering with the Government of Makueni County-Kenya, a member of the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB), and Global Classroom Exchange (GCE) to enhance international workforce development and education opportunities.

The unique collaboration includes UCM, the Government of Makueni County-Kenya, the Economic Bloc and Global Classroom Exchange. The partnership officially launched at a Jan. 8, 2021, virtual signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding. MOU signers included the Governor of Makueni County, H.E. Professor Kivutha Kibwana; Dr. Phil Bridgmon, UCM provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. Laurel Hogue, vice provost for UCM Extended Studies; and John Musau, founder and CEO of Global Classroom Exchange.

Through the partnership, UCM Extended Studies will work with the university’s Kenyan peers on education, entrepreneurship and workforce development. The partners are leveraging technology to foster global collaboration in resolving local challenges. These organizations are working together to develop real-world sustainable solutions for students and adults. Students from Kenya and the United States will also gain hands-on experiences in areas such as Internet of Things, virtual reality, telehealth and entrepreneurship while working on industry-recognized certifications and accelerated degree programs.

The partnership’s foundation began in 2019 with Summit Technology Academy (Lee’s Summit R-7 School District) meeting virtually with students in Kenya to become acquainted and begin planning their combined efforts. During fall 2019, Kenya Governor Kivutha Kibwana and a delegation from Kenya visited Lee’s Summit to tour the Missouri Innovation Campus and meet with officials from UCM and Summit Technology Academy.

This new partnership has benefited significantly from the involvement of Digloso Ltd, a company focusing on providing emerging populations with technological infrastructure and modular application platforms. Digloso is headquartered in Kenya.

Want to become involved?

Business, individuals and organizations have the opportunity to collaborate in the project, which is actively seeking partners to help with solutions. For more information, contact Joe Mullins at jmullins@ucmo.edu or Dr. Laurel Hogue at lhogue@ucmo.edu.

Components of the partnership

Leveraging technology to enhance academic learning
Developing career pathways with joint workforce programs for global markets
Establishing UCM dual credit and concurrent programs with Makueni County-Kenya
Providing students with opportunities to gain hands-on experiences in areas such as Internet of Things, virtual reality, telehealth and entrepreneurship while also working on industry-recognized certifications and accelerated degree programs
Focusing on meaningful collaboration and project-based learning.

What the partners are saying

“The Makueni Innovation Centre will provide an avenue for young people within the County, the SEKEB Region and beyond to develop skills and innovations that are necessary in creating an economic ecosystem,” said said the governor of Makueni County, Hon. Professor Kivutha Kibwana. “Unemployment is a major challenge in Kenya, especially among the youth, and I believe the experience they will receive through this partnership will create employment opportunities for them.”

“Today is the result of a lot of work and collaboration, and we are really excited about the work ahead,” said Dr. Laurel Hogue, vice provost for UCM Extended Studies, during the virtual MOU signing.

“We talk about having borders, and we talk about creating opportunities and sometimes those two don’t go hand-in-hand,” said John Musau, founder and CEO of Global Classroom Exchange. “I feel this is one opportunity for us to make a difference.”

“This is an important engagement in workforce development that will provide career pathways in an area that is growing and emerging,” said Dr. Phil Bridgmon, UCM provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

About the partners

The University of Central Missouri operates campuses in Lee’s Summit and Warrensburg, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as certificate programs, professional education courses and customized corporate curriculum. UCM and Summit Technology Academy have shared space and resources in the award-winning Missouri Innovation Campus facility since its opening in fall 2017.
The South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc includes three counties: Kitui, Machakos and Makueni with a combined estimated population of 4.7 million. The Bloc was created to provide social and economic development for its citizens.
Global Classroom Exchange is the CSR arm of Digloso, a company focusing on providing emerging populations with technological infrastructure and modular applications platforms. Digloso’s founder and CEO John Musau is a native of Kenya with the company’s headquarters located in Machakos, Kenya.

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TWO KEY DOCUMENTS TO ANCHOR EVIDENCE-BASED PLANNING IN MAKUENI

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. is currently unveiling the Makueni County Statistical Abstract 2025 alongside the County Development Profiles at MIVEC, two flagship government publications designed to strengthen evidence-based planning and accountability.

The documents will serve as key instruments for measuring development progress, tracking service delivery and anchoring decision-making on reliable, up-to-date data.

The Statistical Abstract presents credible, verified and disaggregated data on population dynamics, socio-economic indicators, service delivery and development trends across the county.

Complementing it, the County Development Profiles translate this data into clear, tangible outcomes, detailing the resources invested, where they were deployed and the impact they have delivered to the people of Makueni.

Together, the publications are expected to provide policymakers, development partners and the public with a clear picture of the county’s development trajectory and priorities.

Tree Planting Initiative

Following the deputy governor’s tree planting initiative on 12th November 2013, the Makueni County department of Lands, Urban Planning Launched a tree-planting drive that seeks to plant one tree for each of the 884,527 residents of Makueni County with Hon. Adelina Mwau on the lead.

One of the initiatives towards achieving this objective is dubbed ‘Each Pupil Tree’ (E-PAT), targeting the 276,000 primary school pupils in the county. We have supplied a seedling for each primary school pupil, and we expect that with the support and supervision of their teachers they will tend these trees till they grow and mature.In her speech at all the schools she visited the Deputy Governor emphasized that the progress of the trees will be monitored from time to time, and after a while award the schools with the highest survival rate as well as the pupils whose trees will be the best will be awarded.

Among the schools Hon Adelina Mwau visited with the CEM Lands, Urban Planning, CEM Education and MCA Vaati, include, Utaati Primary School-Makueni District, Katitu Primary School in Kilungu District and Enzai Primary School in Mukaa District

Tree Growing and Conservation Awards

The grand award of celebrating the Kenyan Heroes in Tree Growing and Conservation 2017 was a premier event organized by Kenya Forest Service at the Headquarters of Karura Forest being officiated by Her Excellency Margret Kenyatta.

Fifty-nine conservationists and tree growers among them the County Government of Makueni were recognized for the effort and determination of making the Kenyan Forest cover rise to 7.4per cent from 6.9per cent in 2010. The objective of the initiative is to turn the forest cover from 7.4percent to 10per cent as per the Vision 2030.

The awardees were drawn from the 47 counties since 514 members had applied. They all went through a panel. Evaluation was done from the headquarters depending on the three ecological zones and amount of rainfall each area receives.

Awardees who included individuals, schools, cooperates, groups of disabilities, community, farmers, state agencies and counties received medals and certificates.

Her Excellency first lady congratulated the awardees citing the huge benefits and the various roles that forests play all over the world and playing a key role to balance nature.

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Pro. Judi Wakhugu said the 70per cent of Kenyans who depend on fuel exerts pressure on our forests.

The minister of Water Irrigation and Environment, Makueni County Mr. Douglas Mbilu accompanied his team to celebrate and receive the award of the life-size achievement for the Directorate of Environment.

Mr. Mbilu interacted with Pro. Judi Wakhugu, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Recourses with whom they shared different tactics in their field of work bearing in mind they both head the department of Environment in County and National Government respectively.

Speaking on phone to the local radio stations Mr. Mbilu was overwhelmed for the achievement they have got so far as a directorate and urged the residents of Makueni County to conserve the environment and protect the reafforesteted hills.

Report by: Claudia Katheu.

Travel Tip: Top 20 Most Visited National Parks

A national park is a park in use for conservation purposes. Often it is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns.

INVITATION TO TENDER

The County Government of Makueni invites interested and eligible bidders/ contractors for the tender described hereafter. Details of the scope of works shall be indicated in the tender documents.

No	Tender Ref No.	Description of works/Tender Document	Eligibility	Mandatory site visit venue	Date	Time
1	GMC/TR/T/06/2018/2019	[wpdm_package id=’3947′]	Open to all contractors	Wote Maps Roads &Transport Offices.	05/11/2018	10:00 AM

2.	GMC/TR/T/08/2018/2019	[wpdm_package id=’3948′]	Open to all contractors	Wote Maps Roads &Transport Offices.	05/11/2018	10:00 AM

3.	GMC/TR/T/09/2018/2019	[wpdm_package id=’3949′]	Open to all contractors	Wote Maps Roads &Transport Offices	05/11/2018	10:00 AM

Bid documents should be downloaded at no cost and be returned in plain sealed envelopes bearing no mark/ identification of the bidder, only marked the tender name and number and addressed to:

THE COUNTY SECRETARY
GOVERNMENT MAKUENI COUNTY
P O BOX 78-90300
MAKUENI

And be deposited in the white tender boxes placed at the county treasury headquarters at MAP on or before 14^th November, 2018 at 10:00 am. Tenders will be opened immediately in presence of bidders or their representatives who wish to attend.

Late bids shall not be accepted and will be returned unopened.

Makueni County Transport Bill 2017

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TRANSITION TO SOCIAL HEALTH AUTHORITY

Government of Makueni County through the Department of Health Services, has signed an agreement with the Social Health Authority (SHA) for the provision of health services across all public health facilities within the county. This agreement marks the smooth transition of services from the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) to SHA, effective 1st October 2024. From this date, all county health facilities will offer services according to the SHA benefits package.

Residents of Makueni are encouraged to continue self-registering for SHA by dialing *147# and following the prompts or by visiting the SHA website at www.sha.go.ke. For those requiring assistance, support is available at any Level 4 hospital or SHA (formerly NHIF) offices throughout the county.

Additionally, the county is in the process of training Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to assist residents with self-registration at the household level.

Makueni County will continue to register and provide services under the MakueniCare initiative, as outlined in the Makueni Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Policy.

Dr. Paul Musila

County Executive Committee Member (CECM), Health Services

Makueni County

TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL AGRICULTURE

A total of 30 Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) from across the county are currently undergoing a specialized administrative training program aimed at enhancing their understanding of institutional roles and responsibilities.

The committees, each formed by representatives from the agricultural value chain sectors of poultry, mango, tomato, apiculture and dairy farming are being prepared to serve as key links between the NAVCDP (National Agricultural Value Chain Development Program) and the local communities.

The training which began earlier this week is structured into six cohorts, with each cohort representing five wards. As of now, 20 wards have completed their sessions and the training is expected to wrap up by the third week of November for the remaining wards.

The goal of the CDDCs is to promote better governance and enhance community participation in agricultural value chain development, which is crucial for economic growth and improved livelihoods in the county.

During the training, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development Joyce Mutua emphasized the department’s commitment to supporting farmers. She further urged participants to focus on commercializing farming as a way to boost the county’s agricultural economy and improve market access for local produce.

The CECM was accompanied by Mary Muteti, the County Director for Agriculture, who also highlighted the importance of these committees in strengthening local agricultural initiatives and fostering sustainable development.