News

MAKUENI COUNTY HOLDS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR OND RAINS

Makueni County is privileged to host over 60 participants from across Kenya’s 47 Counties, gathered to develop and enhance their search and rescue skills.

17 of Makueni firefighters and emergency responders are undergoing the training at Kyamusoi dam to improve their aqua rescue capabilities.The team of trainees is undergoing water rescue simulations ahead of the October-November-December rains.

Key areas of training include adapted swimming endurance, boatriding, navigation, capsized boat rescue maneuvers, deep water search and rescue rock climbing ropes course, large water incident

The training is a collaboration between the KWS, Government of Makueni County, E plus Ambulance, Community Divers and KRCS.

Makueni was selected as the training ground due to her significant investment in disaster preparedness, equipping the Directorate of Special Programs with adequate water rescue equipment.

Makueni County Has Spent 265 Million on Bursaries and Scholarships since 2013

Ksh. 265 Million Spent on Bursaries and Scholarships since 2013

Makueni County government has spent Sh 265 million on bursaries and scholarships to support students from poor families to pursue education.

Deputy Governor Adelina Mwau said the government is putting more resources on education as it acknowledges it is an investment for the future of the county.

She said that the county has also been giving out full scholarships to bright needy students adding that 190 beneficiaries have so far been listed since 2013.

She further indicated that 79 students have further benefited from the program this financial year.

“The government of Makueni county acknowledges education as an investment for our children, being the most important aspect in empowering our youth to become responsible and productive citizens ,”the Deputy Governor said.

But the DG also told teachers that incidences of sexual assaults were in the increase and that it could compromise learning in the area.

She said that as part of the government’s decision to support empowerment on gender based violence and sexual abuses an outreach program will be initiated in schools.

“I am glad to inform you that the government of Makueni County is in the process of initiating a school outreach program for children in our county,” she said.

She said the program has been necessitated by the increasing cases of sexual and gender based violence incidences in the county including defilement, incest, rape, verbal and psychological abuse, domestic violence and sexual harassment among others.

The Deputy governor decried the alarming levels of sexual violence cases in Makueni County despite existence of legislations meant to deal harshly with perpetrators.

The Deputy Governor appreciated the role played by teachers in nurturing and mentoring young people adding that it required dedication to accomplish.

“I wish to state that teachers are role models and mentors and the kind of values that are inculcated in the children have direct effect on society and the development of our children,” said the Deputy Governor

She was speaking when she closed the sixth edition of the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association-Makueni Chapter at the Travelers Hotel in Mombasa.

She was accompanied by several top government officials led by County Secretary Paul Wasanga among others.

Mr Wasanga said that teachers are key to the county’s economic empowerment adding that governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana’s regime would work closely with them to achieve four key pillars of the county’s development plan.

“Our main agenda is to ensure economic empowerment for our people and to maske clean portable water available to households in Makueni,”Mr Wasanga told the Kessha members.

MAKUENI COUNTY HAS PARTNERED WITH KCEP-CRAL( KENYA CEREAL ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME- CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURAL LIVELIHOOD)

Makueni County has partnered with KCEP-CRAL( Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme- Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihood) to rehabilitate Chief Kiamba earthdam in Kasikeu ward in an endeavor to bring water closer to the people.

County Executive Committee Member for Water and Sanitation John Kieti on Thursday presented the contractor to the Project Management Committee and also handed structuctural designs and Bill of Quantities to the PMC for oversight.

Kieti said the county government has embarked on a massive water development agenda targeting to increase Makueni’s water supply from the current 30,000 cubic meters to meet the current demand of 60,000 cubic meters per day.

The Dam is expected to benefit over 600 households.

MAKUENI COUNTY HAS EMERGED A STRONG CONTENDER AT THE ONGOING REGIONAL KENYA MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, SECURING SEVEN SPOTS IN THE RACE TO THE NATIONALS.

Wisdom Manna from Mukuyuni Primary School clinched position one in the Kiswahili solo verse “Niwashie Taa” with 90 marks, while Nzambani took second place in Kiswahili choral set verses with the piece “Mbona.”

In the English choral verse “Lavender’s Blue,” Chief Kiamba Primary took first place, with Mukuyuni Primary coming second.

Out of the 10 items from the County that qualified for regionals, seven have secured a spot at the national stage set for next month in Meru.

The five-day music festival is currently underway at Chuka Boys High School in Tharaka Nithi County.

The Makueni team is led by Chief Officer for ICT, Education and Internship Irene Makau and County Assembly representatives including Education Committee Chair, Joseph Mbindyo.

MAKUENI COUNTY HALF-YEAR FY 2020-21 BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION REPORT

The Budget implementation report highlights progress made in implementation of the Makueni County Government Budget for the Financial Year 2020/2021, for the period ending 31 st December 2020. It also presents the key challenges that faced budget implementation during the reporting period and appropriate recommendations to overcome these challenges.

The total revenues mobilized in the first 6 months of FY 2020/21 were Kshs 3,712,112,013.38 representing 32 percent of the total budgeted revenues for the Financial Year. The overall County expenditure for the period amounted to Kshs. 3,196,094,826.85 against a Revised Budget of Kshs 11,672,939,708.37 representing an absorption rate of 27.38 percent for the first 6 months of FY 2020/2021. The recurrent expenditures were kshs 2,309,185,173.60 against a revised budget of Kshs 6,674,864,837.98 which translated to an absorption rate of 34.60 per cent. The development expenditure for the first 6 months of the FY 2020/21 were Kshs 886,909,653.25 against a revised budget of Kshs 4,998,074,870.39 representing an absorption rate of 18 percent.

MAKUENI COUNTY GOVT. TO DISTRIBUTE WATER IN KIIMA KIU- KALANZONI WARD FROM 2 DAMS.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has promised Kiima Kiu-Kalanzoni Ward residents that the County government will distribute water to local residents from Katilini and Kilombo dams in the area.

The area has suffered prolonged drought, leading to scarcity of water.He spoke on Monday at Kyamuloi village when he handed over 6 tents and 600 chairs to organized groups in the area. The tents have a capacity of holding 100 people each.

Each group received 1 tent and 100 chairs through the Department of Gender, Children, Youth, Sports and Social Services.

Area MP Thaddeus Nzambia and MCAs led by Deputy Speaker, Francis Mulwa and area MCA, Justus Mwanzia attended the function.

MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT SIGNS A COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORK WITH REREC

Today, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr and REREC CEO Dr. Rose Mkalama signed a collaboration aimed at enhancing rural electricity accessibility, renewable energy and clean cooking.

The partnership, focusing on a holistic electrification effort, seeks to benefit approximately 624 households across the county, with a pivotal Kshs. 30 Million matching grant from the County Government.

“This fund is dedicated to uplifting households and institutions in the 2023/24 fiscal year, promising improved living standards and economic growth through enhanced access to electricity,” affirmed Governor Mutula.

Kicking off this transformative initiative, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and CEO Dr. Mkalama commissioned the Kako Waia CBO Warehouse electrification scheme in Mbooni Sub-County. Connecting 54 households, the project stands as a symbol of progress and connectivity in the community, marking the shared commitment of the County Government and REREC Rural Electrification & Renewable Energy Corporation – Kenya to address the crucial need for electricity in underserved areas.

MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT INITIATES TALKS WITH CHURCH LEADERS TO ESTABLISH A PILGRIMAGE CENTER.

The Tourism Directorate on Wednesday launched consultative meetings with church leaders in the county to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a pilgrimage center.

The meeting attended by representatives from various Christian denominations, including Africa Inland Church, Anglican Church of Kenya, African Brotherhood Church, Salvation Army and Catholic Church focused on creating a framework for the development of a dedicated space for worship and personal spiritual growth and was open to all denominations.

Leading the forum, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism Dr. Sonia Nzilani highlighted the importance of unity in faith emphasizing that once actualized, the center would serve as a touristic platform to bring Christians together for a shared purpose.

Attending the meeting, Bishop Joshua Mativo of the Africa Inland Church lauded the county government’s initiative appreciating the inclusion of the church in planning for an environment of worship and personal reflection.

Upon implementation, the pilgrimage center proposed at Nzaui Hill aims to boost local tourism and create economic opportunities for the community with improved infrastructure.

The meeting attended by Chief Officer Dr. Jossylyn Nzilani, Rev. Dominic Kasoo of ACK, Captain Patrick Mwangangi of Salvation Army and Reverend Canon Daniel Mutua of ABC marks the beginning of a masterplan series of forums that will help shape the development of the pilgrimage masterplan.

MAKUENI COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS INDUCTED 28 NEWLY EMPLOYED EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION (ECDE) TEACHERS.

Makueni County Government has inducted 28 newly employed Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers on permanent and pensionable terms. These new recruits will replace those who have retired, marking a major milestone in the county’s commitment to enhancing early childhood education.

The induction event, held at the Makueni Vocational Education Center (MIVEC), was officiated by Elizabeth Muli CECM ICT, Education and ICT. She was joined by
by Dr. Justin Kyambi, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service and Irene Makau, the Chief Officer for Education.

This initiative is part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s agenda, which prioritizes the development of the ECDE sector through three key pillars: infrastructure improvement, human resource development, and learner advancement.

Welcoming the teachers to public service, Elizabeth Muli, CECM for ICT, Education and Internship, emphasized the critical role ECDE teachers play in shaping young learners. She highlighted their responsibilities, including caregiving, close monitoring of children, promoting healthy growth, fostering early learning opportunities, engaging children in play, identifying talents and ensuring a safe and secure learning environment. She also noted that the performance of ECDE teachers will be closely monitored to ensure high standards are maintained.

For many of the newly inducted teachers, this moment ends a wait of over two decades. They received their deployment letters during the ceremony, officially assigning them to their respective schools and positions.