Machakos County's dairy farmers have received a significant boost as the County Government of Machakos provided milk pasteurisation and packaging machines to Masii Dairy Cooperative, alongside financial support for Wamunyu Cooperative Society. Governor Wavinya Ndeti announced the allocation of Sh10 million to acquire the equipment, complemented by a Sh370,000 cheque to automate operations. The governor emphasized that the machines would enable the cooperative to bulk, store, package, and transport milk to distant markets like Nairobi, reducing wastage and increasing farmer earnings. 'My vision for the cooperative movement in Machakos is to make them grow and become independent,' Ndeti stated during the commissioning ceremony in Masii. 'When people come together, they form a strong company. We are doing this with many other cooperatives, including coffee factories.'
In Wamunyu Ward, the governor disbursed a Sh819,000 cheque to Wamunyu Cooperative Society to strengthen its operations, pledging further support through chicks and fish fingerlings to expand poultry and fish farming. This intervention aligns with efforts to address a nationwide milk supply shortage, which has strained farmers and consumers alike. Ndeti highlighted the broader developmental goals of the county, including infrastructure and education, during a tour of Wamunyu. 'Development is most meaningful when it reaches every household,' she said, underscoring investments in education, cooperatives, and roads to improve livelihoods.
During the tour, the governor launched a new ECDE classroom at Yathui Primary School, part of a county initiative to expand early childhood education. Enrolment in ECDE programs has risen from 32,000 to over 42,000 learners, attributed to daily feeding, the Maziwa ya Mama programme, and child-friendly learning environments. She also inaugurated the grading of the Kaitha-Kambiti Road, connecting Kaitha Sublocation to neighboring areas and enhancing access to schools, markets, and health facilities. Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi reiterated the administration's commitment to projects that directly address community needs, stating, 'We are laying a strong foundation for better livelihoods.'
The county's development agenda also includes the commissioning of a model dairy farm and recognition of academic excellence, as Karumo TTI produced the best student in East Africa in KASNEB exams. These initiatives reflect Machakos' multifaceted approach to economic growth, education, and agricultural innovation, aiming to uplift rural communities through targeted investments and sustainable practices.