Governments meet over urgent Agriculture concerns

Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe today joined his counterparts from across the country for a special sitting of the Intergovernmental Forum for Agriculture (IGF-A) at a Nairobi Hotel.

The forum was chaired by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi who doubles up as the Joint Agriculture Sector Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism (JASCCM) chairperson.

CS Linturi convened the special sitting in conjunction with the Council of Governors chaired by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru to address matters that require urgent intergovernmental consensus and collaboration.

The forum was themed "Promoting intergovernmental relations and partnerships for sustainable agricultural systems to boost food security and economic development in Kenya".

IGF-A is held annually and offers a platform for high-level consultations between the two levels of government and the wider agricultural sector stakeholders on joint commitments.

JASCCM is a mechanism that was established by the two levels of government in 2016 for joint consultation and cooperation on effective development of the agricultural sector besides providing policy implementation direction.

Governors firm up SEKEB

SEKEB: Malombe, Wavinya
Mutula make key agreements

Governor's Press Service,
WOTE

The three South Eastern Kenya Governors Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Julius Malombe (Kitui) on Tuesday met in Machakos to discuss mechanisms of escalating the common social and economic interests of the economic bloc (SEKEB).

Top on the summit meeting agenda was creation of a secretariat and appointment of a Chief Executive Officer of the bloc after the three county assemblies passed the SEKEB ACT, which was assented to by the governors and gazetted. Machakos is set to gazette the ACT this coming Friday.

Other key issues discussed include:

Aligning the three counties' development agenda to that of the national government for accelerated regional development;

Following up on the Green Climate Funding proposal which if approved, each county will benefit with Sh 1 Billion to fund climate smart and green projects;

Collaboration with Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and KPLC to increase last mile connectivity across the region;

Mainstreaming climate smart agriculture to promote food security through massive water harvesting; and

Creation of an enabling environment for the youth to engage in income generating activities.

The governors elected Julius Malombe of Kitui to chair the bloc for the next one year.

Makueni approves 5 Chief Officers

WOTE: TUESDAY 13, 2022

Makueni County Assembly on Tuesday evening approved five out 10 Chief Officer Nominees who had been  submitted by  Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr 

The vetting reports of the five other  nominees to various Departments will be tabled for approval discussions today, Wednesday 14, 2022.

Those approved are: 

1. Japheth Mutuku Kiminza (Environment, Natural Resources, Mining and Climate Change)

2. Boniface Musyoki Mutua (Social Economic Planning, Budget,  Revenue, Monitoring and Evaluation)

3.Dr. Josslyn Nzilani Mutua (Trade, Marketing, Industry, Culture and Tourism)

4.  Eng. James Moki Muli (Infrastructure, Transport and Public Works) & Nicholas Mutisya Mutua for Education &  Internships

Malombe roots for Masinga dam

Ruto orders expansion 
of Masinga water intake 

By Governor's Press Service,

KITUI

Gov. Malombe speaks at the event as Gov. Ndeti looks on

President William Ruto has directed the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Alice Wahome to urgently expand water intake works at Masinga dam to augment water supply to Kitui and Machakos Counties.

https://youtu.be/fcE6YGQUNdk

Responding to a request from Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe, the president directed that the works be undertaken through national government funding. Governor Malombe asked the President "to support the expansion process of the raw water intake fitted at Masinga to increase the capacity of water supply in the region".

The president spoke in Athi River as he commissioned an Affordable Housing project to deliver 5,360 housing units in a development that envisages a community of diverse income groups living together, sharing physical and social facilities.

Dr Julius Malombe, along with Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti had joined the President at the at the commissioning of the Sustainable Neighborhood Program (SNP) and the ground breaking ceremony in Machakos.

Governor Malombe said there is need to embrace the affordable housing idea to solve the cumulative housing deficit in the country. The governor noted the public sector as key in creating enabling environment for housing program as the private sector invests in the plan to achieve extensive opportunities for investment in construction in Kenya.

D-G Mwangangi warns on gayism

By Boniface Wambua

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi today warned groups promoting gayism and  lesbianism among the youths. 

Mr Mwangangi

Mwangangi was speaking at the Komarock Shrine during the Annual Catholic Diocese of Machakos Men and Boys  celebrations

 Mr Mwangangi said the government  will thoroughly probe if  there exists groups practicing gay way of life and pledged such groups will be deregistered.

 Matungulu MP Stephen Mule who was also in attendance said it is the high time to empower boy-child, same way with the girl-child.

Governor Ndeti's vow

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti vowed  today that no body from outside Machakos County who will be allowed to grab any  land that belongs to Machakos County residents.  

Governor Wavinya was speaking at a burial of Joseph Muasa Maitha, father to MCA Raphael Nzau Lucky of Matungulu West at Nguluni, Matungulu Subcounty. 

Francis Mwangangi Deputy Governor Machakos at the same function promised the residents of Machakos County there are proper plans, between the National and Machakos County Governments to clean the Athi River  to make its water useful for domestic use and irrigation.

Machakos University reopens next Tuesday

Machakos University students return on Tuesday, six days after the institution was closed over deadly riots.

A memo to all students by the Vice Chancellor Prof Lucy Irungu said the decision to open the University followed a University Senate meeting held on Thursday December 7,2022. 

Prof Irungu urged the students to return with their minds set to write end of semester examinations. 

Without direct reference to the chaotic two days that left a student and a police officer dead, Irungu told the students that security begun and ended with them, adding that it was a personal responsibility. 

Attached is the Memo in full.

KCB donates foodstuff

The Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti today received foodstuff worth Ksh. 1 million from Kenys Commercial Bank.

It was delivered by a team led by Machakos Branch Manager Mr. Simon Alonda

Mr speaks Ngovi when he received the foodstuff donation today.

The Governor said the donation will go into the county's short-term hunger eradication program targeting food distribution to vulnerable populations within Machakos County.

" We thank the KCB Bank managers for their food donations and their various partnerships with Machakos County", she said.

The Governor explained that the donation will target children in local rescue centres  and the elderly as a Christmas gift.

 Machakos Chief of Staff Mr. Lawrence Ngovi, flanked by CECM for Devolution Ms Consolata Mutisya, among other county government officials, received the donation on behalf of Governor Ndeti.

Mwengi Mutuse on fire in Facebook

Facebook fans jeer at
MP Mwengi Mutuse

A facebook post by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse dismissing calls by Azimio leaders as unpatriotic has found himself roundly criticised.

Mwengi had dismissed the call by some Azimio leaders urging Hustler Fund borrowers not to pay back their loans as economic sabotage. He went ahead to urge Kenyans to ignore the not to pay call.

Some Facebook fans were not amused and called him out as a beneficiary of Azimio support in Ukambani who had forgotten too soon. Ofcourse, he has his diehards. Check the attached link.

https://www.facebook.com/100063789666518/posts/pfbid0s9yz2YtJo8tstsXkgvSEX2DYfz9dpNtz8BipaQTbFoD9YTaeeoEhqpeAViVsRaf5l/?mibextid=Nif5oz

 

Makueni showcases
Botanical Gardens

By Governor's Press Service
Wote, Makueni County

Kee Botanical Garden from Kaiti Sub- County has emerged position one in the Exhibitions Category in the National Kenya Music and Cultural Festival (KMCF) taking place in Kitui County.

Riots: Injured policeman dies

Machakos Riots: 

Policeman dies

By Dennis Mwikya

A police officer who sustained injuries after attack by Machakos university students has succumbed to head injuries

The versity students had  gone on the rampage after a student who was reportedly shot by a stray bullet during protests on Monday died on Wednesday while receiving medical at the Machakos Level 5 hospital.

Information on his death was received by many including fellow students with shock.

The protests forced businesses along the busy Machakos-Wote Road to close down and ground transportation to a halt.

The students took to the streets on Monday, December 5, to protest increased cases of insecurity in the institution after a student attacked by thugs died on Sunday while receiving treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The campus has been closed indefinitely following student unrest.

In a memo on Wednesday, December 7, the university's Vice-chancellor Lucy Irungu told all the students to vacate the Machakos-based institution with immediate effect.

Irungu said the decision was reached during a special meeting convened on Wednesday morning, where the board resolved to close down the varsity for security reasons

Machakos county commissioner Rhoda Onyancha on Monday said that 33 suspects had been arrested by Monday evening over criminal incidences in Machakos town and its environs.

Ends

Machakos University closed

MACHAKOS University has been closed down.

The Vice Chancellor Prof Lucy Irungu announced the closure in a  three page internal memo to the students that required them to vacate university premises with immediate effect.

Riots rock Machakos again

By Regina Mutua

MACHAKOS town ground to a standstill today following  a riot after the death of  a student shot by police on Monday.

 

Policeman detained amid
rising crime in Machakos

By Regina Mutua
in Machakos

A policeman remained detained  at Machakos Police Station yesterday as robbery with violence charges were being considered against him.

Mutula meets top
county medical staff 

By Governor's Press Service,
WOTE: December 6, 2022

MAKUENI Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. today held a top level meeting with county medical specialists to understand their professional needs and possible interventions.

Governor Mutula greets one of the officers

 Yumbya among top
100 Kenyans 2022

Machakos County Government Health Minister Dr. Daniel Yumbya is among the Top 100 Kenyans 2022 following his contribution to reforms in the medical profession.

Dr Daniel Yumbya

Insecurity rocks Machakos 

Student shot in running battles with Police 

By DANIEL NZIA

Chief Anchor Correspondent

Police officers on a Machakos Street today

A Machakos University student is fighting for his life at the Machakos Level 5 hospital after he was reportedly shot by police. The second year student was shot in the stomach as a section of the students engaged the police in running battles for several hours. The students are protesting spiralling insecurity in the town with unconfirmed reports claiming that a police officer may involved in the mugging of the student community.

The student shot at around noon about a kilometer away from the institution as the police tried to drive them from where they had barricaded the Machakos- Wote road.

The injured student was first rushed to a dispensary at the Approved school as his colleagues sought help to take him to the referral hospital. The bullet entered in the stomach and exited at the back.

"We have just received the patient and we can't really say much about his condition. We might have to take him to the theater ",a senior nurse leading the team handling the patient said.

Machakos OCPD Moss Ndiwa visited the student and termed the shooting incident regrettable. The students have been complaining about insecurity in and around the university in which a number of them have been mugged and robbed.

The situation worsened after a student succumbed to injuries he received in a recent attack by suspected thugs. Business around the university and Machakos town came to a standstill as traders hurriedly closed down their businesses, among them a supermarket, for fear of a possible looting.

The students matched along the busy Machakos - Wote road chanting "haki yetu" as they barricaded the road with stones. They attempted to find their way into the town but the few who managed were driven away by the police who lobbed teargas canisters at them forcing people to scamper for safety.

Makueni firms 
up partnerships

By Governor's Press Service, WOTE: December 5, 2022

MAKUENI Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili today hosted a high powered delegation from Micro-Enterprise Support Programme (MESPT) led by Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Amukhoye.

Ms Mulili when she hosted a delegation from MESPT

Discussions centered on enhancing partnerships between Makueni and MESPT in several agricultural value chains and enhancing food safety competitiveness of the county. Some of the key partnership areas include:

Support to agriculture policy development, support to establish a veterinary and food safety mini laboratory, and the development of the Agricultural Training Centre-Kwakathoka as an Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) Facility.

MESPT supports Green Employment in Agriculture and Agri Food Safety programmes in Makueni.

Junior Secondary to run within Primary Schools

Junior secondary schools will be domiciled in primary schools, an interim report by the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform shows.

The report that was presented to President William Ruto on Thursday at State House also indicates that Grade 6 Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) will not be used for placement in Junior Secondary School. 

Instead, KPSEA will be used to monitor learning progress and offer feedback to education sector players on areas that require intervention.

The report noted that the Ministry of Education, Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and the Teachers Service Commission will work on modalities of fast-tracking retooling of teachers to ensure the country has sufficient numbers who are CBC-compliant. 

Priority, it went further, will be given to those teachers who will be handling Grade 7 learners.

To facilitate the transition and bridge teacher shortage, the Government will recruit an additional 30,000 teachers by January 2023.

The final report will be delivered in March next year.

Kitui hosts Kenya Music Festival

By Philip Muteti

Thursday, December 1, 2022_

Kitui County is hosting the 95th edition of Annual Kenya Music and Cultural Festival.

This weeklong event running under the theme "Embracing Cultural Diversity and Connections in the 21st century and Beyond" is taking place at Kitui Multipurpose Training Centre in Kitui Central.

The festival is the second to be held following a two-year suspension occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, after last year’s one in Mombasa County.

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, State Department of Culture and Heritage, and the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB) are among the sponsors.

The national event aims at promoting peace and cohesion among Kenyan cultural communities, enhance development of art and creativity and set standards for the promotion of cultural industries as well as promoting cultural exchange at national and international levels.

Dozens of participants including out-of-school youth, individual performers, exhibitors, county governments, colleges and national government have started showcasing their assorted talents in readiness for the official opening tomorrow.