Empowering rural African communities with clean energy through Productive Use of Renewable Energy (PURE) can boost electricity demand while creating economic opportunities.
Read the Insight Article written by H.E Hon. Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Governor Makueni County) and Benson I. (WRI – Africa Lead, Energy Access) Harnessing renewable resources for productive applications
County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning Nicholas Nzioka has unveiled a Project Management Committee to lead a cadastral survey for the perimeter boundary of Mtito-Andei town and all the public utilities within.
The committee, commissioned on Thursday (February 8, 2024), will work with a survey consultant also presented in the meeting. This survey will culminate to titling of the identified public utilities in a bid to protect them from encroachment or grabbing.
Mr. Nzioka earlier led a Public Participation forum at Nthunguni, Mtito-Andei, on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Ngai Ndethya Settlement. The Assessment will assess potential impacts of excising 21,000 hactares from Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve for allocation to more than 9,000 residents. The exercise will also pave way for issuance of title deeds to the squatters.
Over 200 farmers on Wednesday were trained on dairy farming techniques at the Makueni Agricultural Training Centre.
The event was graced by Joyce Mutua, who serves as the CECM for the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative development.
The training was organized in conjunction with Unga Farm Care and Remington to provide better ways to enhance milk production through improved dairy feeds and collective improvement in dairy farming practices. This is expected to lead to a significant increase in dairy production.
The participating farmers came from four dairy member cooperatives within the Lower Eastern Dairy Cooperative Alliance (LEDCA), namely Kaiti, Kilala, Wote and Kathonzweni.
Mutua commended the farmers for their eagerness to attend such training sessions and emphasized that the county government is committed towards revamping dairy production through initiatives such as Kikima and Kathonzweni milk processing plants.
A dynamic collaboration between the Trade and Culture directorate, the National Museums of Kenya, and the Natural Product Industry recently unfolded during a three-day workshop at the Kilimani Breeze Hotel. The workshop’s central aim was to validate the Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Innovation Bank (InKiBank) while strategically identifying and prioritizing IK assets within Makueni County for cultural product development and eventual commercialization.
The workshop served as a melting pot of ideas, drawing together an eclectic mix of stakeholders. This included Makueni County’s energetic young culture champions, the esteemed Akamba Clans Governing Council of Elders, and key representatives from the County Assembly committees on Culture and Finance. Notably, various county departments, such as Finance, Trade, Tourism, and the County Attorney, played active roles, demonstrating a holistic approach to both cultural and economic advancement.
With robust participation from diverse sectors, the workshop emerged as a center for innovative thinking and strategic planning. Its overarching goal is to tap into the wealth of indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage embedded within Makueni County. By prioritizing IK assets, the initiative aims to unlock fresh opportunities for cultural product development and sustainable commercialization, promising both economic growth and the preservation of the region’s rich cultural identity.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha visits Makueni County Referral Hospital dialysis and maternity wings during her UHC spot check tour. Makueni has shifted focus to preventive healthcare (Primary healthcare and community health strategy). This seeks to reach all residents wherever they are, their social and economic status notwithstanding.
Cabinet Secretary for Health Susan Nakhumicha earlier today arrived in Wote, Makueni, for a spot check on Universal Health Care roll out and Public Participation on Social Health Insurance regulations 2024. The CS is hosted by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and Senator Daniel Maanzo.
In a bid to foster sustainable energy development, Makueni County has joined forces with Strathmore University and WRI in an energy training collaboration. Spearheaded by the Housing and Energy Directorate, the collaborative workshop aimed at bolstering energy-saving initiatives across various government departments, marking a significant leap towards sustainable energy development.
The workshop convened teams from health, energy, agriculture, and water departments for an in-depth exploration of energy management strategies. Spearheaded by Housing and Energy Chief Officer Eng. Naomi Nthambi, the training emphasized the pivotal role of energy conservation in the county.
Eng. Nthambi shed light on the Makueni County Energy Plan and ongoing pilot projects geared towards enhancing energy efficiency. Participants delved into crucial topics such as Energy Management Regulations and Appliance Energy Performance during interactive discussions.
Expanding its reach, the workshop included a specialized session for Technical Working Group and Facility Managers, who actively delved into practical implementation strategies for energy management county-wide.
Key takeaways from facility managers highlighted the importance of finalizing the Energy Planning Process, establishing Facility-Level Energy Management Teams, and fostering communication and collaboration among teams. The discussion also stressed the significance of implementing mechanisms for Monitoring, Control, and Reporting, alongside regular policy reviews to adapt to evolving energy management practices.
Covering practical aspects including Energy Management Systems and Lighting Systems, this collaborative effort underscores Makueni County’s steadfast commitment to forging a sustainable future through informed energy practices.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr spend a significant portion of his Friday engaging with accomplished agribusiness farmers in Mavindini, an exceedingly arid ward within the county.
These farmers have adopted climate-smart agricultural technologies to achieve optimal productivity and profitability.
The Makueni County Government is committed to providing support to these farmers as well as other emerging ones, with the goal of transforming agriculture into a lucrative venture, particularly for younger generations.
The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development is leading this initiative in collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation.
The scope of works includes excavation of the dam, fencing installation, cattle troughs and sanitation blocks construction, masonry tank building, piping works installation and draw-off point establishment.
The rehabilitation of the dam is being implemented through the National Agricultural & Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) and funded by the World Bank.
Upon completion, the 67,000M³ capacity dam will provide water for irrigated farming to almost 7,000 local residents.
Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday launched a 100-day Rapid Results Initiative aimed at enhancing own-source revenue for improved service delivery.
The County , through the Department of Finance, Planning, Budget and Revenue is targeting to raise Sh 1.24 billion by the financial year closing on June 30th, 2024 through rigorous sensitization efforts.
According to the governor, this exercise will include auto and unified billing where individual bills can be paid in one invoice to maximize revenue while reducing government enforcement stress on taxpayers.
“The unified billing provides an opportunity for the charges of two or more utility services to be cumulated in a single invoice…… All invoices will be issued digitally through SMS and payments can also be made using mobile phones,” said Mutula Jr.
Furthermore, Kilonzo Jr emphasized that the government has embraced a cashless payment regime as part of its effort to minimize corruption risks, instill customer confidence and enhance accountability.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili who also graced the event urged all business sector players to faithfully pay their revenues for better services.
In addition, Finance and Revenue Executive Damaris Kavoi announced that liquor licenses would now be registered online, making services accessible faster and cost-friendly for citizens.
During this initiative’s duration of 100 days, county officials plan on reaching out to citizens with new revenue payment service information ensuring strict adherence is maintained.
The business community present during the launch promised compliance as well as support towards achieving the ambitious targets set forth by the County Government.
