On October 14, 2024 – Governors from across the country, including Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe EGH, concluded a significant induction session on the Second Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP II)
The event, held at Swahili Beach Hotel in Diani, Kwale County, focused on shaping the future of urban development in Kenya, aligning with the theme, “The Future is Urban,” drawn from the First Kenya Urban Forum.
The meeting saw governors deliberate on strategies to enhance urban governance, management, and financing across counties. The discussions led to several key resolutions aimed at boosting the development of cities and municipalities and ensuring that urban areas remain a priority in Kenya’s development agenda.
Among the resolutions adopted, county governments were urged to transfer delegated functions and assets to cities and municipalities to improve local governance. Governors were also tasked with championing the implementation of the KUSP II program and ensuring full adherence to the conditions for its success.
Additionally, they resolved to prioritize urban sector financing during intergovernmental engagements, particularly at high-level forums such as the National and County Governments Coordinating Summit.
Key resolutions included:
The development of a model law to implement Section 173 of the Public Finance Management Act on financing cities and urban areas, in collaboration with the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
The establishment of a technical and steering team to address governance and management challenges in cities and municipalities, involving the Council of Governors, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, and the National Treasury.
Fast-tracking the operationalization of the National Urban Development Fund, as per the Presidential Directive and the National Urban Development Policy.
In addition, the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development was directed to ensure that a 90:10 ratio between development and recurrent financing is maintained in all program designs, a policy championed by the Council of Governors.
The State Department for Housing and Urban Development will also fund Council-led activities under the KUSP II through a dedicated AIE framework, mirroring other World Bank-funded programs such as FLOCCA, NAVCDP, and KDSP.
The meeting ended with a call for Excellency Governors to engage President William Ruto on the implementation of the Markets Program, aligning it with county priorities, and to champion urban development initiatives that can fully transform Kenya’s urban landscape.
Signed: Hon. Alice Wahome, EGH Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development
HE FCPA Ahmed Abudillahi, EGH
Chairman, Council of Governors
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