KITUI TOWN — In a push to address regional disparities, CS Peninah Malonza highlighted Kitui County as an untapped economic powerhouse during a public sensitization forum on the Fourth Medium Term Plan held at Kefri Hall. Malonza emphasized the county's potential to significantly reduce poverty through the exploitation of its diverse resources.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kitui County has the capacity to transform its economic landscape by utilizing its agricultural, mineral, and tourism potential effectively. "Despite being semi-arid, Kitui County is blessed with adequate dryland, which can be used for cash crop farming and livestock keeping, mineral deposits, and wildlife parks suitable for tourism. If we exploit all these opportunities, Kitui can be Kenya's economic powerhouse," she stated during the forum. This initiative is part of the national government's Bottom Up Economic Transformation blueprint, which aims to improve livelihoods by leveraging local opportunities.
The forum also discussed the integration of the County Integrated Development Plan with the Fourth Medium Term Plan, both of which align with Kenya Vision 2030, to spur faster socio-economic growth. Key development projects initiated by the national government in Kitui include the injection of significant funds into major dam projects aimed at improving water availability for agriculture and domestic use, and an extensive electricity extension project to all public schools in the county.
Kitui County Deputy Governor Augustus Kanani, speaking on behalf of Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, elaborated on the county’s development strategy, which prioritizes food security, water access, healthcare, and urban development through skilled human capital and industrial parks. He emphasized the need for enhanced road infrastructure to better connect Kitui with neighboring counties, which he believes is essential for boosting socio-economic activities across the region.
Kanani also highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve health services and infrastructure within the county, including the establishment of specialized health centers to cater to the increasing demand for medical services along major transport routes. The Deputy Governor called for a resolution to the doctors' strike and continued support from the national government to ensure that the transformative projects not only commence but are also seen to completion, thus guaranteeing a brighter economic future for Kitui County.