County Staff and Municipal Board Members Inducted on Urban Development under KUSP II

Officers from the Kakamega County Department of Lands, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning, together with board members from Kakamega and Mumias Municipalities, have concluded a three-day induction facilitated by the State Department for Housing and Urban Development under the Second Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP II). The training sought to build their capacity to effectively implement urban development projects.

KUSP is a joint initiative of the Government of Kenya and the World Bank aimed at improving urban governance, enhancing service delivery, and promoting sustainable economic growth in municipalities. Through financial and technical support, the program enables counties to strengthen planning and infrastructure for improved quality of life.

Speaking at the closing session on behalf of the CECM for Lands, Housing, Urban Areas and Physical Planning, Ms. Angela Silima, Mumias Municipality Board Chairperson Eng. Mohammed Mukhwana thanked the World Bank for its support in transforming urban management and development in Kakamega. He said building the capacity of Municipal Boards aligns with Governor Fernandes Barasa’s development agenda on Good Governance, Wealth Creation, and Infrastructure Development.

KUSP II Coordinator and Director of Physical Planning, Mr. Stephen Chune, noted that the workshop created a platform to harmonize the efforts of Municipal Boards and County staff in delivering efficient urban services. He emphasized that the training would help participants understand KUSP operations and meet program conditions while reaffirming the Governor’s commitment to enhancing municipal autonomy.

Mr. Francis Owade, Deputy Director for Metropolitan Planning and Environment and KUSP II Safeguards Lead, underscored the importance of proper planning and environmental safeguards during project implementation. He urged Municipal Boards to embrace accountability and transparency to drive sustainable development that benefits residents.

The induction covered thematic areas such as Governance and Management of Municipalities, Legal and Regulatory Frameworks, Public-Private Partnerships, KUSP Operations, Project Operation Manuals, Financial Management, and Environmental and Risk Management Strategies.