Kitui Governor Julius Malombe’s administration has released a comprehensive mid-term report detailing significant progress in infrastructure, education, trade, and social inclusion, following a high-level County Executive retreat.
Youth Empowerment and Vocational Training
Over 10,000 Kisomo Nokyo beneficiaries are set to benefit from an indexed bursary scheme and a revolving certification fund, which will allow trainees to sit the NITA Grade III Trade Test at no cost. The county is also prioritizing ICT integration in ECDEs and Vocational Training Centres to bridge the digital skills gap.
Urban Development
In line with the ‘Future is Urban’ strategy, 1,103 streetlights have been installed or repaired across Kitui’s six Economic and Investment Zones (EIZs). Kyusyani Market has received bitumen-standard surfacing and the Tungutu–Ithookwe Showgrounds Road has been fully tarmacked. Additional walkways were constructed in Mwingi and Kitui municipalities. The county aims to leverage the Kenya Urban Support Programme II to improve fire response and waste management infrastructure.
Trade, Investments, and Cooperatives
The County has broken ground on the Kitui County Aggregation and Industrial Park (K-CAIP), now 40% complete. Over 58,000 traders have benefited from improved market infrastructure, while 91 new cooperatives have been registered. However, the lack of a clear operational framework for the EIZ model and persistent infrastructure challenges were noted. A revised KIVEST strategy and investor forums are planned to address these issues.
Tourism
Kitui is set to launch its Tourism Circuit in FY 2025/26, showcasing unique destinations such as Nzambani Rock, Mutomo Reptile Park, and South Kitui and Mwingi National Reserves. Strategic partnerships with national tourism agencies aim to market Kitui both locally and internationally.
Youth, Women, and PWD Inclusion
The county has launched ICT hubs, facilitated industrial attachments for 1,400 youth, and trained hundreds through the Vijana-2-Invest initiative. Despite these efforts, youth unemployment remains a concern. The government is ramping up AGPO awareness and collaborating on the construction of the Ithookwe Showgrounds Stadium, scheduled to host the 2025 National Youth Week.
Transport and Mobility
Since August 2022, the county has opened and graded over 5,000 km of roads and constructed hundreds of meters of drifts and slabs. Partnerships with KURA, KeRRA, and the Kenya Roads Board enhanced rural connectivity. The boda boda sector received a boost with road safety training for 400 riders and the installation of 41 sheltered sheds.
Environment and Natural Resources
The Kitui County River Basins Sand Utilization and Conservation Act, 2024, has been enacted, establishing committees to oversee sustainable sand harvesting. The county is also investing in land reclamation and climate adaptation strategies.
Governor Malombe emphasized that these milestones are a testament to Kitui’s commitment to inclusive, sustainable development and pledged continued engagement with residents to ensure shared prosperity.
