MALOMBE: This is my vision and agenda for Kitui

 Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has said he will resuscitate the development and transformation’s vision and agenda for the county that seeks to progressively improve residents’ livelihoods and their living standards. 

 

Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe is awarded his certificate by Machakos High Court Judge Justice George Odunga at Ithookwe Show Grounds on August 25,2022. MWINGI TIMES/Paul Mutua

Speaking after being sworn into office after reclaiming the seat he lost to Charity Ngilu in 2017, Malombe said he will also seek to lead a county with vibrant rural and urban economies whose people enjoyed high quality of life. Ngilu was conspicuously absent at the event presided over by Machakos High Court Judge, Justice George Odunga, at the Ithookwe Showgrounds.  

The governor said the electioneering period was now over and the “hard work to reclaim, restore and transform” the beloved county has begun.

Malombe said his leadership was premised on transformative, inclusive, equitable, consultative, and participatory leadership based on values and principles of efficient service delivery and an enabling socio-economic environment, motivated, qualified, and competent staff, capacity building, staff welfare including timely payment of salaries.

Others include accountable revenue generation and responsible budgeting, equitable development across the county, courtesy, respect, and fairness to the people of Kitui, respect to the rule of law and non-tolerance to corruption.

Leadership priorities

The governor further said his leadership will prioritize prompt and non-discriminatory payment to suppliers and contractors and affirmative action for Persons Living With Disabilities, minorities, youth and women and the elderly.

“It outlines 16 sector priorities underpinned by the Kitui Vision for Economic and Social Transformation (KIVEST), County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), 2022-2027, participatory preparation of the Kitui Spatial Plan and sector specific strategies and policies,” Malombe said.

He named agriculture, water, health, education, urban development, roads and construction, trade and investment, micro small and medium enterprises, cooperative societies, tourism and hospitality, women, youth and persons with disabilities as his pillars to drive the county into prosperity.

The county boss took the occasion to dedicate his win to his late wife, Edith Mawia. “I also wish to take this opportunity to dedicate this election victory to my late wife, Mrs Edith Mawia Malombe. Matshona Dhliwayo reflects that “A virtuous spouse adds years to your life, a wise one adds decades, but a loving one adds an eternity to your life.”

Malombe said a larger-than-life personality, Edith stood by him unconditionally, through the good and challenging times. “In many ways, her wise counsel and support propelled and allowed me to thrive in elective politics. Until her demise late last year, Edith worked passionately alongside me towards the betterment of the lives of the people of Kitui and with this victory, may the Lord comfort her spirit and continue resting her soul in peace,” he remembered his wife.

He further attributed his overwhelming victory to the Wiper Democratic Movement and its party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for giving him the opportunity to be the party’s gubernatorial flag bearer in the county.

“I also wish to acknowledge the Azimio One Kenya Alliance Presidential flagbearer, Raila Amollo Odinga for his endorsement of my gubernatorial bid due to my overwhelming public display of admiration and love by our people when he visited our county in July,” Malombe said.

The governor highlighted some of the key achievements realised by the county government (2013-2017) under his leadership.

In the five years that he was in office, he said his administration demonstrated that it was possible for the county to change the outlook of its gloomy past. His term as the county’s pioneer governor began with serious concerns about Kitui’s destiny.

“There were many challenges faced then and these will remain the key focus of our development agenda in 2022-2027. These include poverty, water and food shortages, mediocre education, health and sanitation standards, poor road infrastructure, inadequate mobile telephony network coverage and unemployment particularly among the youth,” he said.

Malombe pledged in his first 100 days in office he will revive the county’s economy and rekindle people’s hope and aspiration by essentially having a county stock taking and mapping exercise. He said the move was aimed at facilitating in-depth and clear appreciation of the county financial status including bank balances, human resource status including outstanding staff salaries, inventory of county asset and pending bills and other contractual commitments, outstanding staff salaries, review and ascertainment of the reports of the Assumption of Office of Governors report concerning county assets, bank balances and much more.

He said they will also undertake completion of abandoned projects.

“Fellow county citizens, I am aware our people’s expectations are very high, particularly considering the extent service delivery has deteriorated over the last 5 years. Nonetheless, we have no choice but to join hands and tackle the issues head on. As there is no room for retreat, surrender or quitting,” Malombe said.

STORY By PAUL MUTUA