By Bonface Mulyungi
The Catholic Diocese of Kitui through the Caritas department, Cheshire Disability Services Kenya (CDSK), and the County Government of Kitui have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding and officially launched the Building Effective Network Multi Annual Programme Plan (BEN MAPP.)
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony, held at the Governor’s Boardroom in Kitui and presided over by Monsignor John Mwandi, Bishop Elect of the Catholic Diocese of Kitui, marks the start of a 5-year collaboration to support vulnerable and marginalized communities across Kitui County, with a specific focus on children and youth with disabilities and their caregivers.
The purpose of this MoU was to define the roles, responsibilities, coordination mechanisms, and oversight arrangements among the Parties to ensure effective, accountable, and disability-inclusive implementation of the BEN-MAPP 2026–2030 Programme within Kitui County.
Monsignor John Mwandi, in his speech stressed the need for early identification, timely assessment and increment of budget allocation for disability inclusion and referral services. “Let us be champions of the protection of children because many children are facing many challenges and this will ensure that we build the future society.” he said.
His Excellency Dr. Julius Malombe, Governor of Kitui County, who hosted the event, affirmed the County Government’s commitment: “BEN MAPP aligns with our agenda for inclusive development. We will work hand-in-hand with Caritas, CDSK, and CGKTI to ensure children and youth with disabilities access the skills, services, and opportunities they deserve.”
Cheshire Disability Services Kenya (CDSK) Chief Executive Officer Madam Cecilia Mutava appreciated the work that Caritas Kitui has been doing and said that it is the success of the first phase of the BEN MAPP project – 2023 to 2025 which bore the second phase.
The second Phase of this project will focus on enhancing inclusion and access to services for children and youth with disabilities. The 5-year programme, running from January 2026 to December 2030 targets 920 Children and Youth with disabilities from Kitui East, Kitui West, Kitui Central and Mwingi West Sub Counties.
Present also at the MOU signing ceremony were Caritas Kitui staff led by Madam Florence Ndeti, the Caritas Kitui Director, County Executive Committee Members from the Ministries of Health and Sanitation, Basic Education, Culture, Gender, Youth ,ICT, Sports and Social Services among others, County Chief Officers, Directors, representation from County TSC, Department of Children Services, Department of Social Development, National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) and Organization of Persons with Disabilities among others.
