Kitui tops list of mineral-rich counties

 

Kitui is among the 15 counties targeted for a national geo-survey to verify availability and quantities of lucrative minerals. Other targeted counties include also Homabay, West Pokot, Migori among others.

Assemly okays its schedule

Machakos County Assembly today  approved business set out for the Assembly by its various Committees.

Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka,  who is also the MCA, Machakos Central Ward tabled the business of the house as forwarded by Committees and members pursuant to the provisions of the Standing Order No. 151 (6) (d) . 

The Committee balloted as follows:

1. Tuesday, Morning 14th     March, 2023 at 10.00am 

(a) Motion on Approval of the Assembly Calendar for the Second Session of the Third Assembly- (Stephen Mwanthi- Deputy Speaker/Vice Chair, House Business Committee)

(b) Report on Consideration of nominees to the Ward Bursary Committees  (Grace Bahati- Vice Chairperson, Education and Social Services Committee)

2. Tuesday, Afternoon 14th      March, 2023 at 2.30pm (a) Motion on Change of Membership in Committees - ( Nicholas Nzioka- Chairperson, Selection Committee)

(b) Report on the Machakos County Fiscal Strategy Paper FY 2023/2024. Dominic Ndambuki- Chairperson, Budget and Appropriations Committee)

3.Wednesday, Morning 15th     March, 2023 at 10.00am 

(a)Report on Status of Machakos Level 5 Hospital  Vincent Mutie Chairperson, Health and Emergency Services Committee).

4.Wednesday, Afternoon 15th     March, 2023 at 2.30pm 

(a)Report on Status of Barabara Mashinani grading program  Muoki Musila –(Chairperson, Transport, Roads Housing and Public Works Committee) 

(b) Motion on Marking of boundaries of all Access Roads in the County-  Peter Kilonzo- MCA, Mbiuni Ward

Group launches 'keep fit' bid

 Walking for Health

By Brian Malasi 

Scores of people across all ages turned up for an inaugural walk organized by the Machakos We Walk initiative.

In what is considered a first of many more activities lined up for the year, the initiative brought together participants from across Machakos Town to participate in a walk aimed at bringing awareness on the importance of keeping fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Speaking exclusively to The Anchor, Ben Ibrahim, one of the organizers, said the walk was not only intended to raise awareness on healthy living but also create a platform for people to engage, network and socialize in an environment devoid of drugs and substance abuse.

In addition, Ibrahim also revealed plans to incorporate activities like Zumba classes during the Saturday walk sessions, all this intended to rope in more participants.

The 1st edition walk featuring over 75 participants kicked off at the Kenyatta Stadium through to Mumbuni area and culminated at the Machakos  ASK Show ground via Manza and Miwani areas.

The initiative targets to host the walks every saturday and invites all willing to attend to register via the initiative's email address  machakoswewalk@gmail.com

All official communication, enquiries and clarifications will be channeled through the official number; 0731255068

Kitui County has 320 vehicles, probe report reveals

68 more vehicles found

By Brian Malasi

68 vehicles have been discovered and added to the 252 contained in a handover report.

The discovered vehicles now bring the number of vehicles in Kitui County to 320. 

The additions were made by The Kitui County Government Motor Vehicles, Plant, Equipment Determination, Assessment & Evaluation Committee appointed by Governor Dr Julius Malombe.  

This revelation was part of the contents of a report handed over to Governor Malombe in his Kitui office, Friday.

The committee intended to establish the state of equipment, motor vehicles and plant equipment owned by the devolved unit.

In the report, discovery was made of cases of vehicles with repeated entry in the records and one vehicle with tripple entries in the assumption of Office of the Governor committee report authored last year.

Further, the report features cases of motor vehicle vandalism,abandonment, mechanical breakdown of motor vehicles, misuse of fuel, pending processed insurance claims, unregistered mobile clinics, theft of hospital equipment and exaggerated cost of procured machines among others.

Part of the findings by the committee unearthed that in two separate incidences within the county, the county ministry of health lost 2 ultrasound sound machines valued at Kes. 750,000 and Kes. 2.5M from both Ikutha and Kyuso Level 4 Hospitals respectively. Both cases were recorded under OB No. 14/03/10/2022 at Ikutha Police station and OB No 13/17/09/2020 at Kyuso Police station.

The Anchor has since established that the cases are currently in court.

In it's recommendations, the committee recommended streamlining the reporting structure in the department of transport, repairing of grounded and serviceable vehicles, while payment to be effected for bonded vehicles at the dealers and the immediate follow up of the vehicle insurance claims among others.

In his remarks, Governor Malombe said his government will institute the necessary changes to ensure a properly functioning transport department and at the same time institute legal proceedings on those found culpable for any wrong doing.

Cholera kills four in Mavoko

By Dennis Mwikya

Four people were today reported killed an a cholera outbreak.

They died in Mavoko Sub-county where 32 other suspected cases were attended to.

Eight of the cases are admitted at Athi-River Level 4 hospital where one of them is in critical condition, according to Machakos County Health Executive Dr Daniel Yumbya.

"From the 6th of March 2023 todate, Mavoko Sub-county attended to a total of 32 suspected cases of which 12 samples were collected for laboratory confirmation. Out of these cases 4 deaths have occurred with 3 cases availing themselves for treatment in critical condition,"said Mr Yumbya in a brief status report.

The incident is the latest in waves of cholera outbreaks that have hit Mavoko since October,2022.

During the month of December 2022 to Mid-February 2023, no new cases had been reported and because twice the number of incubation period had elapsed it was assumed to be controlled Dr Yumbya added

"From the 23rd February 2023, Kajiado county reported to have treated 9 suspected cases from Mavoko of which 4 cases were confirmed positive via rapid test kits" , he added

The County subsequently informed Mavoko Sub-county which activated rapid response team to carry out contact tracing of the confirmed cases and continuous community engagement and social mobilization targeting community members to ensure they upheld good hygiene practices, said Mr Yumbya.

The cases reported within Mlolongo,Jua Kali,Kwa Mang'eli,Kanaani,KMC and Sokoni areas of Athi River are associated with consumption of food at local eateries.

"The mentioned areas have low sanitation environment and are being targeted to identify what could be the source of the infection,"the County Health Executive said.

Among the response activities carried out include; delivery 1600 water treatment tabs to be given to the communities in the identified areas and 45 kilos of powder chlorine to carry out disinfection in all public toilets and shared facilities.

Sensitization of the community on cholera through Barazas and by use of public address system, contact tracing and water sampling of public water sources is also being enforced.

Ikokani school: Panic no more

Ikokani now has 25 students 

By Anchor Reporter.

The school that had one student reporting in Form 1 last week, today registered a record 25 entrants.

The Ikokani Secondary School Stakeholders led by Mumbuni Location Senior Chief, Mathew Mulee, and Board of Management (BOM) Chairman, Titus Mutuku Muli swung into action and mobilized students for entry to form 1.

The class of 45 now expects another 15 students to be full. 

The new enrollment is testimony to the old address that "Unity is Strength".

Chief Mulee was at hand to welcome the students and their parents to the school. 

To enrole, protocals have had to be shelved. They came with old primary school uniform and without fees as this would be sorted later.

Mutula opens budget workshop

WOTE:

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Governor Mutula opens a 2-day Makueni County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) Induction Workshop 

 Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on today officially opened the Makueni County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) induction workshop. 

The workshop, whose main objective is to equip the CBEF team with an adequate understanding of their mandate, is organized by the Department of Finance, Planning, Budget & Revenue in collaboration with the Commission on Revenue Collection (CRA). 

The Governor indicated that there is a need for all the CBEF members to understand their roles and mandate for effective service delivery. 

The Governor underscored the importance of the Forum in engagement and feedback to the respective constituents from the budget formulation stage up to the implementation. 

These include the various reports provided for by the Public Finance Management Act, 2012.

The County Budget and Economic Forum establishment is provided by the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 section 137 (1), the County Government Act 2012, and the County Government Regulations 2015. 

The Makueni County Budget and Economic Forum’s (MCBEF) purpose is to provide a means for consultation by the county government on the

Preparation of county plans (CIDP, ADP, etc.), the County Fiscal Strategy Paper, and the Budget Review and Outlook Paper for the county.

It is also focuses on matters relating to budgeting, the economy, and financial management at the county level.

Youngsters join Makueni Government

 

100 interns to gain work

The Sixth Cohort of 100 Interns Join Makueni Public Service . By Daniel Kituku Young Proffessionals who recently graduated from various tertiary institutions are set to join The Makueni Public service under the County internship programme. The internship program that runs for a year shall help the interns gain valuable work experience by interacting with Proffessionals from various departments. Speaking at the launch of a two day induction for the interns , Deputy Governor Makueni Lucy Mulili said the interns shall be subjected to performance appraisals like other County staff. Lucy said the induction shall equip them with various Public skills, policies , office etiquette as per the public service guidelines. The youth who were competitively recruited by the County Public Service Board represent all the 30 wards of Makueni. danielsmth732@gmail.com

Makueni DG Lucy Mulili speaks to the interns

Re-drawing of Konza City buffer zone begins

A team of planners drawn from Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties as well as the Ministry of Lands has been set up to prepare an updated Konza Technopolis Buffer Zone Inter-County Physical and Land Use Development Plan.

The team was  unveiled by Dr. Sonia Musyoka – the chairperson Inter-County Joint Physical and Land Use Planning Committee and CEC Lands Makueni at the Technopolis site on Monday. 

The plan, according to Dr. Musyoka, is meant to synchronize development of the Technopolis with the buffer zone development plan.

The team will next move to the 10 km radius buffer zone for reconnaissance and data collection.

Makueni buys drugs for its 236 health facilities

By Daniel Kituku 

Makueni Government through the department of health has flagged off distribution of pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical drugs to 236 health facilities. 

The consignment worth Kes. 77 Million was flagged off today by Japheth Mang'oka County  Executive  Member Devolution accompanied by Chief Officer Health Dr.  Steven Ndolo and Irene Makau,  Chief officer for Devolution.

Speaking  to the media Dr. Ndolo  urged the medical staff in all level 4, Health centres and dispensaries to document and ensure proper use of the drugs .

He urged communities who lacked treatment before  to visit Makueni Health facilities as all shall be fully supplied with drugs.

Mr Mang'oka said the government is committed to ensuring good health as per the Governor's Manifesto .

He also urged citizens to keep an eye over the drugs and report any misuse.

The sorry state of Nguni-Nuu Road

A Cry for Nguni- Nuu road

OPINION

By Fred Maundu

Every time Kenyans go to a general election, voters are promised heaven by politicians seeking votes. However, once the politicians secure those positions, the promises collapse. Some are somewhat realized and others are not. The residents of Mwingi East Sub County in Kitui County and especially those who use Nguni-Nuu Road face this nightmare. 

This is the area  where the killer Enziu River is located. The river has taken so many lives, yet no leadership- local or national appear perturbed. Up to this day, there is no bridge and the potential to lose other lives is full.

On this 35Km stretch, you will come across huge potholes. It's now 5 years plus since the former President, Uhuru Kenyatta launched this 35Km road project. He did it on June 30, 2017. The project aimed at upgrading Nguni -Nuu road to Bitumen Standards. 

In this region, this was the first project since independence that  locals thought would have positive benefits  in both dry and rainy seasons. Since then, the road has been done for about 20Km. Be that as it may, the section now has degenerated and is currently in poor state because some sections have been swept away by rain and about 15 Km are full of  soil heaps, heaps of gravel and stones. 

The road is impassable and to some extend, risky to drive through. One cannot say its COVID-19 pandemic that impended its completion. NO! 

Residents are now hopeless about it since this has become the reference tool during campaigns and there is no single leader- not the current Governor Julius Malombe, Senator Kiio Wambua, Woman Representative  MP Kasalu  or even the local MP has vowed to act despite numerous calls to complete the project.

Residents are concerned  why leaders  local are so dumb about this sorry state of the road when the neighboring, Tana River County managed to do a 46 Km Cheredende -Bura -Hola Road (B89) at the same time. Where did we go wrong? Should we wait for other five years to listen to the same lies?  I wouldn’t be wrong if I say empty talk reigns here! The delay is exacerbating the problems and this is not what Reclamation, Transformation and Prosperity Agenda for Kitui County we were promised. 

A stab for service delivery

Top Kitui officials to 
sign performance contracts

By Governor's Press Service,
KITUI

TOP officials in the Kitui County Government will be put under Performance Contracts. Governor Julius Malombe says the objective is to among other things make the County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and the Chief Officers (COs) to be accountable in resource utilization for improved efficiency in service delivery.

Dr Malombe with Mr. Magua and other officials

Dr. Malombe was speaking at KEFRI, Kitui as he opened a workshop on Performance Management for the Kitui Public Service at KEFRI in Kitui. The exercise was led by the Director, Performance monitoring & Evaluation Mr. J. M. Magua from the office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Governor Malombe said his 16-sector development priorities and the budget allocations in the supplementary budget (1) will be the development blueprint to inform the Performance Contradicting Systems (PCs).

The County Executive Committee Members and the Chief Officers are expected to come up with clear targets and SMART performance indicators at the end of the capacity building exercise inline with the supplementary budget (1) for the FY 2022/23.

The other county staff will also sign performance appraisals with the COs as per the Human Resource Policy and procedures.

The signing of performance contracts and appraisals will be key in creating a culture of results-oriented management within the County government of Kitui and in delivery of services to the people of Kitui.

Kikima Cooperative probe begins

KiKima,Makueni County 

March 7, 2023

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has appointed a Taskforce to investigate allegations of mismanagement in Kikima Farmers Co-operative Society 

Ms. Mutua unveiling taskforce 

The taskforce  begun a 14-day investigation into grievances raised by KiKima Coffee Farmers.

The complaints have come through several letters to the governor where the farmers decried misuse of funds and mismanagement of the Cooperative society leading to huge losses.

The taskforce was inaugurated by Makueni Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Development County Executive Committee Member Joyce Mutua on Tuesday at the cooperative's Head Offices in Kikima.

Ms Mutua told the 6- member taskforce that there to table a detailed report on findings and recommendations on the way forward towards finding a lasting solution for the KiKima farmers, as well as strengthen the cooperative movement in the entire county.

Matungulu TTI gets 100 computers

By Gastone Valusi

 in Machakos

Katine Technical Training Institute in Matungulu constituency has received 100 computers from the national government in a move aimed to upgrade the  training standards of the tertiary institution.

A further Kes.20 million from the Constituency Development Fund will be used to build classes for students taking electrical courses in the institution in the 2023/2024 financial year, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule disclosed yesterday during a visit to the institution.

The building of the classrooms and the administration block had already started but stalled.

"I thank the government for making sure that we start our computer classes. They gave out 100 computers which have been installed in two computer labs,"said Mr Mule.

He said the Katine Technical Training Institute was earmarked to be a center of excellence in the region in terms of technical training and urged prospective students from the neighborhood to make use of the facility.

The institution offers artisan, certificate and diploma courses in a number of disciplines including technical, business and hospitality.

Report of 935 ghost useless- Board

 Kitui  Public Service Board
rejects Malombe's staff audit

By Daniel Kituku and Mercy Musangi

CONTROVERSY is brewing about the alleged findings of 935 ghost workers in the Kitui County Government after doubt was cast over the integrity of the audit.

The Kitui County Public  Service Board  chairperson described as opaque the staff audit and distanced her board from human resource  audit report presented to Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe recently. 

The Board  under the leadership of Florence Munanie Makindi took a firm stand against the the 935 ghost workers report by Florence Muinde and team  and alleged that an audit team member, who happens to be the immediate former County Public Service Board chair intentionally sidelined the current board in participating or giving any  views in the important exercise. 

The Board  further states the audit team  surprisingly wrote a letter to the former interdicted Board Secretary who has been illegally in office to give information without the knowledge of the Board and the Chair, rather than contact the current office bearers.

In a letter seen by The Anchor dated March 3, 2023 and signed by Dr.  Makindi, the board  disowns the the Permanent and Pensionable ghost workers dated back to 2017 and placed the responsibility on the former chair who was also involved in the same audit . Dr Makindi pointed out that Dr. Muinde and her team failed to submit names of the said 56 ECD ghost teachers revealed during the headcount to facilitate the board establish the grounds upon which teachers did not submit themselves to the headcount.

The report was handed over to Governor Malombe last week. It revealed that out of the 935 ghost workers, 326 are Permanent and Pensionable employees, 23 are contractual, 56 ECDE teachers and 530 casuals. Dr Muinde alleged that the County Public Service Board recruited 592 employees without evidence of accompanying requests and affirmation of the availability of funds for Personnel Emoluments (PE) from the relevant Chief Officers. 34 officers across different cadres were also appointed into positions without meeting the minimum requirements as per the career progression guidelines and the advertisement that declared the vacancies, the report indicates.

As soon as the report was submitted, a rogue worker at the board released a list of 647 staff, including the current Deputy County Secretary Mr Alex Kimanzi, claiming they were irregularly employed. 

The list contains mostly staff hired after 2021, upon the expiry of the term of Mrs Masya. The report by the audit team appears to claim that the only legitimate staff were those hired during Masya's tenure. Masya was hired during Dr Malombe's term. It appears that the current audit seeks to create room for removal of the current board that was appointed by Governor Charity Ngilu.

Below is an extract of the response of the Chairperson:

“It is against this backdrop that the Kitui Public Service Board takes its stand to clarify the following; The issue of 935 ghost workers –thanks to the same audit committee for agreeing that the board never engaged any casuals. The board disowns the Permanent and Pensionable ghost workers dating back to 2017 as the responsibility lies on the former chair who was also involved in the said audit.

About the issue of 56 ECDE ghost teachers - it is again disturbing that through a letter dated 23/2/2023 the chair Dr. Florence Muinde declined to submit the names of the said  56 ghost ECDE teachers revealed during the head count. The request was made to facilitate the board establish the ground of teachers who turned out for recruitment giving reasons why they were not counted

The issue of irregular recruitment without Intents and Budget…immediately the board assumed office a letter from the board to executive was done requesting for both intents and approved budget and evidence of response from executive giving intents according to organizational structure and availability of approved budget for 2021-2022 is available.

From the foregoing the Kitui Service Board declares that the audit report presented by Dr.Florence Muinde was subjective and tentamount to defamation, the report lacked merit and therefore the board disowns it’s findings”, Dr. Makindi said.

School with one Form 1 student

By Brian Malasi

Panic has hit Ikokani Secondary School, sending community leaders to device an out of the box strategy to save it.

Thinking Together; Stakeholders at Ikokani Secondary School 

The school, surprisingly, is located outside Machakos town and is in the neighbourhood of Scott Christian University on the slopes of Iveti Hills.

It's predicament is seemingly the culmination of a streak of poor performance of its base- Ikokani Primary School that always finds itself at the tail of all primary schools in the region.

The school was founded in 2018 in the third term of former Machakos Town MP Dr. Victor Munyaka under the National Government Constituency Development Fund to bring secondary education closer to the village.

As at March 1 2023,  only 1 student has reported to Form 1 this year to join another 20 who make up the entire school student population.

 It has a Principal and his Deputy as the only TSC teachers. 1teacher is hired by the BOM and 2 others are university students on Teaching Practice.

In the 2022 KCSE, it entered 8 candidates and is ranked 51 out of the 59 secondary schools in Machakos Subcounty with a meanscore of 2.125.

Not even KCPE graduates of the sister school- Ikokani Primary School,  are willing to walk over. Instead, they prefer schools further away for unexplained reasons. 

  Yesterday, stakeholders meeting was  called under the indefatigable  Senior Chief of  Mumbuni Location, Mr.Mathew Mulee  to discuss how to improve the enrollment. 

The School Board of Management Chairman Titus Mutuku and Community Leaders attended the meeting including the Chairman of AIC Mumbuni District Church Council the Rev. Wellington Kangeti  Muema. 

Among the key resolution was to offer completely free education to  all students from the community.

All one needs to do is to walk to Ikokani Secondary School, sit and study. No payment whatsoever.

The resolution is to be implemented by the community. They also resolved that Rev Kangeti writes to all the AIC churches under his Council to invite them to join the AIC sponsored school.

The stakeholders have hit the ground running and one of them- Jacob Ngumi- who is a Civil Society actor has pitched a campaign on his social media platforms to attain the objective. 

"Those who have not joined Form 1, please to report to the School on  Wednesday 8/3/2023 at 10am . Please inform all parents to bring the children to the school on that day to enjoy 'free education' ", he posted on Facebook. 

Election upheld

 

Court upholds election of Kikumbulyu South MCA.

By Daniel Kituku 

Kikumbulyu South ward  MCA Kalunda  wa Kalunda today won a petition filed in Makindu  law court challenging his win. 

The court ruled the  petitioner Mirriam Ngina   failed  to convince  the court with undoubtable evidence to challenge the declaration of Mr Jades  Kalunda as MCA Kikumbulyu South .

Makindu Senior Principal Magistrate Alex Ireri declared  Kalunda was validly elected.

The Court awarded the  respodents osts amounting  Kes. 1m to be paid by the petioner .

danielsmth732@gmail.com

Girl killed in macabre act

Horrid scene as man 
kills boss's daughter

By Gastone Valusi
in Machakos.

A 29-year-old man on Wednesday evening handed himself to the Police in Kithyoko, Masinga Sub-county after raping and killing a Grade Six pupil in a most gruesome murder.

Matungulu leads in Transition

Commissioner roots for education

By Gastone Valusi 
in Machakos.

Matungulu Deputy County Commissioner Evelyne Wekesa has said the region  had recorded a 96 per cent transition rate on transition  from Primary to secondary schools.

Payment of land rates made easy

Makueni begins digital
collection of land dues

Plot owners in Makueni will from now on pay for land rent rates from the comfort of their life spheres.

This is as a result of a Land Information Management System rolled out by the County's Department of Lands and Urban Planning. Using Pay Bill Number 171777, land owners will be required to insert invoice number then amount to be paid to finish the transaction.

The system tracks up to-the-minute transactions of all registered land properties and is expected to boost the county government's own source revenue growth and transparency in revenue collection.