by Francis Kioko
Kitui County’s Executive and Assembly have reaffirmed their commitment to working together in delivering the county’s development goals, despite the ongoing financial constraints. This pledge was made during a joint press briefing held in Mombasa, led by Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe and County Assembly Speaker Kinengo Katisya.
The leaders emphasized their shared responsibility to prioritize the needs of Kitui residents. “Our focus remains on serving the people, and we are committed to doing so despite the current fiscal challenges,” said Governor Malombe, referencing the theme of their consultative meeting, “Financing County Development in the Face of Shrinking Fiscal Space.”
At the heart of their commitment is a promise to enhance access to healthcare for Kitui’s citizens. Governor Malombe revealed that additional funding will be channeled to the health ministry to ensure a steady supply of medical essentials, both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical. Plans are also underway to construct health facilities in 34 village units that currently lack such services, signaling a renewed focus on improving medical infrastructure at the grassroots level.
In addressing Kitui’s pressing issues, the county leadership agreed on the need for austerity measures, prioritizing key sectors such as health, roads, and water, while postponing non-essential projects. Clean water access remains a top priority, with leaders acknowledging that Kitui’s challenge lies not in scarcity but in the distribution of this vital resource. To tackle the county’s road infrastructure, they proposed a hybrid approach, combining equipment from government entities like the National Youth Service (NYS) with county-owned machinery.
Another key resolution was the full automation of all county revenue streams, with a target of raising Kshs. 1 billion in own-source revenue by the 2026/27 financial year.
Speaker Katisya echoed the governor’s sentiments on collaboration, pledging that the Assembly would continue to work in harmony with the Executive to ensure progress. “Our two arms of government are designed to complement each other, and we will continue to do so for the betterment of Kitui County,” he said.
The joint communique represents a united front as the county government strives to address the economic and social needs of its people amid challenging times.
About The Author
