Kitui county has benefitted from many multi-million shilling development projects from the national government because of its harmonious cooperation with President William Ruto’s administration, Governor Julius Malombe has said.
Malombe, a Wiper governor, said close collaboration with the national government has enhanced service delivery to the people of Kitui. He added that he was committed to sustaining that approach even as he maintained his political allegiance to Wiper.
“We are doing what we committed ourselves to do; working for our people. We are using our intellect, networks and connections for the good of our people,” the governor said.
He noted that maintaining an amicable working relationship with President Ruto, his deputy, Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries, among other senior government officials, has helped unlock development opportunities for his county.
“As the leadership and being the governor of this county we have deliberately decided, as required under the Constitution of Kenya 2010, to work very closely with the national government,” he said.
Malombe was speaking at the Kitui Teachers Training College grounds during the 2024-25 County Performance Contracting Awards Ceremony.
During the event the department of Agriculture and Livestock, under CEC Stephen Kimwele, took the top honours as the best-performing department.
He said that as a result of the strong relationship with the national government, Kitui hosted the national Mashujaa Day celebrations last October; an event that significantly boosted development in the county.
According to the county boss, hosting Mashujaa Day led to the rehabilitation of Ithookwe Stadium, which hosted the celebrations, as well as the nearby Ithookwe airstrip.
Roads leading to the facilities were recarpeted, while street lighting and pedestrian walkways were installed.
He further said a mini State Lodge was constructed in Kitui town, several roads were opened up and others recarpeted, giving the town a more attractive and modern outlook.
Malombe further said when Ruto later returned to Kitui in November and spent a day at the Kitui Mini State Lodge, he commissioned the tarmacking of several roads across the county.
These include the Kawmwongo–Kandwia Road in Mwingi North subcounty, the Kwasiku–Mbodoni Road in Mwingi West subcounty, the Ikutha–Mutha Road in Kitui South subcounty and the Kyuluni–Zombe–Mwitika Road in Kitui East subcounty.
The governor also revealed that during a meeting with the President at the State Lodge, Ruto pledged Sh200 million support towards the construction of the proposed Level IV Nzamba Kitonga Memorial Hospital.
He said the hospital will be built at Mutitu in Kitui East subcounty in honour of the late Nzamba Kitonga, who chaired the Committee of Experts that midwifed the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Malombe said other ongoing and upcoming national government projects in Kitui include the Utalii College campus at Tiva in Kitui Central subcounty and the Livestock Training Institute at Kanyonyoo in Kitui Rural subcounty.
He added that there are plans to complete the stalled Kithomboani Market and to construct a modern market at the Kalundu area of Kitui town, which is expected to accommodate at least 3,000 traders.
by MUSEMBI NZENGU
