The Kitui County Government has outlined an ambitious final-year development agenda, including plans to elevate nine urban centres to town administrations, construct 240 additional Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms and recruit 224 vocational training instructors as the current administration enters the final year of its 2022–2027 term.
The proposals were announced in Mombasa on Wednesday, October 9, following a three-day joint consultative retreat involving the Kitui County Executive and County Assembly, which kicked off on Monday and brought together Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, County Assembly Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya, County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
In a joint communiqué delivered at the conclusion of the retreat, the two arms of county government pledged to strengthen collaboration, accelerate the completion of ongoing projects, address implementation gaps and improve service delivery as they prepare to conclude the five-year administration.
The consultative sessions were held under the theme, “Kitui County Transformative Journey 2022–2027: Achievements and Strategic Focus Areas for the Final Year.”
The retreat provided a platform for county ministries and the Assembly to review achievements, examine implementation challenges and agree on strategic priorities for the remaining period.
Nine Urban Centres Targeted For Town Administration Status
At the centre of Kitui’s final-year urban development agenda is a proposal to elevate nine urban centres to town administrations, a move aimed at strengthening local administration and supporting urban development across the county.
The centres identified are Tseikuru, Kyuso, Migwani, Kabati, Kwa Vonza, Kiusyani, Mutomo, Ikutha and Zombe.
The proposed elevation signals the county government’s intention to expand its urban development focus beyond established centres, with the nine areas expected to feature prominently in the administration’s final-year planning.
However, the communiqué presented the elevation as a proposal rather than a completed administrative change.
County Plans 240 More ECDE Classrooms
Education and skills development also emerged as key priorities, with the county committing to expand infrastructure in Early Childhood Development Education centres and vocational training institutions.
The administration plans to construct 240 additional ECDE classrooms and recruit 224 vocational training instructors to strengthen learning facilities and improve access to technical and vocational skills.
According to the county’s reported achievements, 301 ECDE classrooms have already been constructed, while 1,688 ECDE teachers have been employed on permanent and pensionable terms.
The county has also equipped 36 vocational training centres as part of efforts to improve skills development and prepare young people for employment and enterprise opportunities.
The additional classrooms and instructors are expected to build on these investments as the administration seeks to consolidate its education and vocational training agenda before the end of its term.
4,053 Projects Reported Across 40 Wards
The joint communiqué further highlighted the scale of the county’s development programme, reporting a total of 4,053 projects and programmes spread across 40 wards and 247 villages in 16 sectors.
The two arms of government said the remaining period would focus on consolidating the reported achievements, completing outstanding projects and ensuring that investments translate into tangible benefits for residents.
“Our shared responsibility is to consolidate these achievements, complete outstanding projects and ensure that the final year delivers lasting benefits to our people,” the communiqué stated.
The commitment places a premium on implementation, with the county leadership acknowledging the need to address existing gaps and prioritise projects that can be completed or advanced before the administration’s term ends in 2027.
Water, Healthcare And Roads Take Centre Stage
Beyond urban development and education, the county has identified water and irrigation, healthcare, roads, enterprise development and cooperatives among the key areas requiring attention during the final year.
In the health sector, priorities include referral and specialised healthcare services, maternal and newborn care, and improved diagnostic capacity.
These interventions are intended to strengthen access to essential services, particularly in areas where residents depend on county facilities for specialised treatment and maternal healthcare.
Road infrastructure and water projects will also remain central to the final-year agenda, alongside support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives.
The County Assembly, on its part, is expected to concentrate on legislation, oversight and public participation to support implementation and ensure accountability in the use of public resources.
Own-Source Revenue Rises To KSh1.2 Billion
The county also reported growth in own-source revenue, which increased from KSh361 million in the 2021/2022 financial year to KSh1.2 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year.
The reported figures point to an expansion in revenue collection over the period, giving the county a larger own-source revenue base to support service delivery and development priorities.
At the same time, pending bills reportedly declined by 82.5 per cent to KSh449 million.
The reduction signals progress in addressing outstanding financial obligations, although the remaining balance means the county will still need to manage pending payments as it implements its final-year commitments.
The communiqué did not provide a detailed breakdown of the pending bills or the specific measures responsible for the reported reduction.
Assembly And Executive Pledge Closer Cooperation
The retreat underscored the importance of cooperation between the County Executive and the County Assembly in delivering the administration’s remaining commitments.
The two institutions pledged to maintain constructive consultation, with the Executive focusing on implementation while the Assembly exercises its legislative and oversight responsibilities.
The joint engagement comes as the administration enters the final year of its 2022–2027 mandate, a period in which project completion, financial accountability and measurable service delivery are expected to remain under scrutiny.
The communiqué presented the retreat as an opportunity to align priorities and strengthen coordination between the two arms of government rather than allow implementation challenges to undermine the county’s development agenda.
County Sets Aside 3% Of Development Budget For Emergencies
The county leadership also called for vigilance in preparation for El Niño-enhanced rains expected between October 2026 and January 2027.
According to the communiqué, 3 per cent of the development budget has been set aside for emergency response.
The allocation is intended to support preparedness and response as the county anticipates possible weather-related disruptions during the forecast period.
The warning adds an urgent dimension to the final-year agenda, with county departments expected to balance planned development activities with the need to prepare for emergencies that could affect communities, infrastructure and service delivery.
Final-Year Test For Malombe Administration
With the 2022–2027 administration approaching its final year, the commitments announced in Mombasa place renewed focus on whether the county can translate its reported achievements and proposed interventions into completed projects and improved services.
The proposed elevation of nine urban centres, construction of additional ECDE classrooms, recruitment of vocational instructors and continued investment in water, healthcare and roads form part of the administration’s stated priorities.
The county’s revenue growth and reported reduction in pending bills provide further context to its development plans, even as the remaining financial obligations and implementation gaps present challenges that will require continued attention.
The joint communiqué signals a shared commitment by the Executive and Assembly to work together through the final stretch of the current term, with the impact of their decisions ultimately measured by the benefits delivered to residents across Kitui County.
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