Kitui Municipality Hosts Public Participation Forum on Draft IDeP 2026–2030

By YAANA KIMWELE

Kitui Municipality officials led by Madam Irene on Thursday held a successful public participation forum on the Draft Kitui Municipality Integrated Development Plan (IDeP) 2026–2030, marking a critical step in shaping the town’s development agenda for the next five years.

The forum, convened at the municipal level, was presided over by municipal staff led by the Acting Municipal Manager, who guided stakeholders through the key components of the draft plan and facilitated an interactive engagement with members of the public. The Sub-County Administrator for Kitui Central was also present, underscoring intergovernmental coordination in the planning process.

Participants were briefed on the central role of the IDeP as the municipality’s principal planning instrument, guiding urban development, service delivery, infrastructure investment, environmental management, and socio-economic growth. Officials emphasized that the draft plan aligns municipal priorities with county and national development frameworks while responding to the unique needs and aspirations of Kitui residents.

Public participation was underscored as a constitutional and statutory requirement. In this regard, the County Government of Kitui, under the leadership of His Excellency the Governor, reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive, transparent, and meaningful public engagement in planning and development processes.

Members of the public were given an opportunity to review the draft plan, seek clarifications, and submit proposals, views, and concerns. The municipality assured stakeholders that all submissions received during the forum would be carefully reviewed and incorporated where appropriate.

Following the consolidation of public inputs, the revised Draft IDeP will be presented to the Municipal Board for approval, thereafter forwarded to the County Cabinet, and finally tabled before the County Assembly for consideration and adoption.

The forum attracted a wide cross-section of stakeholders, reflecting inclusivity and diversity in the planning process. Those in attendance included the Chairperson of the Municipal Board, the Township MCA, the Area Chief, Ward Development Committee representatives, clergy, market representatives, Caritas, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives of persons living with disabilities, human rights organizations, youth groups, bodaboda operators, NEMA officials, and members of the general public.

Kitui Municipality reaffirmed its commitment to participatory governance and urged residents to remain actively engaged as the plan progresses through the approval stages, noting that collective input is vital to achieving sustainable and inclusive urban development.