Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, in his State of the County Address delivered at the Kitui County Assembly, outlined significant strides made in transforming the education sector, with a focus on early childhood development, vocational training, and support for disadvantaged learners.
Governor Malombe revealed that over the last two years and ten months, his administration has implemented 1,921 development projects, with 989 under the Community Level Infrastructure Development Programme (CLIDP), a hallmark of his equitable development strategy.
Early Childhood Education and Workforce Welfare
Quoting Nelson Mandela’s famous words, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” the Governor underscored the county’s continued investments in early childhood education. His administration has constructed 179 new ECDE classrooms, directly benefiting more than 7,000 learners, and supplied 2,040 coloured tables and essential teaching materials to ECDE centres serving over 53,000 children.
Importantly, the Governor affirmed that 1,688 ECDE teachers were converted to permanent and pensionable terms as of July 1, 2023, a major boost to morale and service delivery in foundational education.
Financial Aid for Vulnerable Learners
Through the Pro-Poor Fees Support Programme, the county has disbursed Kshs.244.8 million, benefiting 31,573 learners from underprivileged backgrounds in secondary schools, universities, technical institutions, and special needs schools.
Vocational Training: Equipping Youth for the Future
Governor Malombe also emphasized the county’s focus on skills development, stating, “We are building innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders for tomorrow.” In line with this, three new workshops have been completed in Mutomo, Ngwani, and Kyambiti VTCs, while nine others have been renovated across various wards.
To promote digital literacy and technical proficiency, three ICT classrooms have been built and equipped at Ikutha, Kauwi, and Mwingi Baptist VTCs, alongside the distribution of 660 sewing machines and other tools to institutions countywide.
These interventions have seen enrolment in vocational training centres more than triple, from 2,506 in 2013 to 8,003 in 2025, a remarkable 219.4% increase.
Governor Malombe reiterated his commitment to improving access, equity, and quality in education, pledging continued investment in youth empowerment as a cornerstone of Kitui County’s long-term development.
Written By Rodney Mbua
