Governor Malombe Opens Statutory CBEF Working FORUM, Reaffirms Commitment to Knowledge-Based Leadership Inclusive Growt

Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, EGH, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to evidence-based planning, fiscal discipline, and inclusive development during the official opening of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) working retreat held at the Flamingo Beach Resort and Spa in Mombasa.

The week-long retreat, running from 2nd to 8th November 2025, brings together county officials, non-state actors, and representatives from the Kenya School of Government (KSG) to reflect on Kitui’s progress, review fiscal priorities, and chart a renewed path toward sustainable growth and prosperity.

In his keynote address, Governor Malombe described the CBEF as one of the most important organs in the devolved governance framework, saying it provides a platform for “meaningful engagement on fiscal policy, development priorities, and efficient allocation of public resources.” He emphasized that the forum is where “public participation, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making find their truest expression.”

Highlighting the county’s progress over the last three financial years, Dr. Malombe reported that 2,224 development projects had been implemented across all 40 wards and 247 villages of Kitui. Among these, he singled out the Kangukangu Water Project in Mutomo, a KSh 840 million initiative undertaken in partnership with World Vision Kenya, which now supplies clean and reliable water to thousands of households, schools, and health facilities in Kitui South and Kitui Rural sub-counties.

The Governor also noted significant strides in agriculture, trade, and industrialization. He said the ongoing construction of the Kitui County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) at Kanyonyoo, in partnership with the National Government, will become “the centrepiece of industrial transformation” in the county. The facility will support aggregation, processing, packaging, and marketing of agricultural produce—turning subsistence farming into commercial enterprise.

Dr. Malombe acknowledged that despite these gains, counties continue to face fiscal constraints such as delayed disbursements and limited own-source revenue. However, he assured residents that his administration is tackling these challenges through automation of revenue systems, sealing leakages, and focusing spending on programmes with the highest social and economic returns.

He further noted that Kitui’s planning and budgeting processes are now more data-driven and integrated, aligning the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027) with the annual development and budget frameworks. This approach, he said, ensures that every shilling spent contributes directly to the long-term vision of a prosperous and resilient county.

In the health sector, Governor Malombe announced ongoing collaboration with the Second Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP II) and the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) to establish a KSh 200 million Renal Unit at the Kitui County Referral Hospital. The facility will serve residents from Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, and neighbouring counties, positioning Kitui as a regional hub for specialized healthcare.

The Governor also reaffirmed his government’s focus on environmental conservation through the River Basins Sand Utilization and Conservation Act, 2024, and major water projects such as Umaa Dam, the Kindaruma–Kiomo–Mwingi Water Project, and the solarization of Kiambere and Masinga intake systems. These initiatives, he said, will enhance water security, support irrigation, and promote climate resilience.

As the retreat got underway, Governor Malombe urged participants to approach discussions with openness, creativity, and a shared commitment to service delivery. Quoting former U.S. President Barack Obama, he concluded, “The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something… make good things happen.” He called on all stakeholders to work together in translating Kitui’s plans into tangible results, ensuring that the county remains a model of transformative and knowledge-based leadership in Kenya.