Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe has announced the successful implementation of 1,669 development projects worth KSh9.645 billion since taking office in August 2022.
The announcement was made during a midterm review consultative session held in Mombasa on Friday, where the Governor outlined his administration’s strides across key sectors.
In agriculture, Malombe reported that over 527,000 farmers have been trained while 51,511 youth have been actively engaged in agribusiness. He also highlighted achievements in value addition and the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (K-CAIP), though he emphasized the urgent need to recruit 128 extension officers to further boost productivity.
Addressing water challenges, the Governor clarified that Kitui suffers from poor accessibility rather than scarcity. To combat this, his administration has constructed 115 solar-powered boreholes and 250 sand dams, improving water supply for over 150,000 residents. He called for more investment in rural water access and protection of water catchment areas.
In health, Kitui County Referral Hospital has expanded services, including a new ICU and cancer care unit. Despite this progress, Malombe acknowledged ongoing gaps in diagnostic equipment and staffing and outlined plans to recruit 226 additional health workers.
Education reforms have seen 1,688 ECDE teachers granted permanent employment and over 14,000 learners equipped with new furniture. The county also noted improved bursary distribution and TVET development but highlighted the need for upgraded infrastructure.
Urban areas have seen upgrades including 1,100 streetlights, tarmacked roads, and plans for fire engines and solid-waste management. Other ongoing initiatives include the Kitui County Aggregation and Industrial Park, the launch of a tourism circuit, and four new police stations.
The Governor also emphasized environmental sustainability and improved revenue collection through digitization of county systems.
