Kilifi: As the government continues to hold citizen-centred forums with various stakeholders regarding the implementation and validation of ongoing national government projects, citizens have been encouraged to support these initiatives to promote development in the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking to the media during the Kilifi Citizen engagement forum at Pwani University in Kilifi, the Principal Secretary (PS) for the State Department of National Government Coordination, Ahmed Abdisalam Ibrahim, stated that the government is implementing development projects that focus on the citizens.
The PS highlighted the importance of involving the public in every stage of these projects, from identification to implementation. 'We are here on two key matters, validation of national government projects and stakeholder or citizen engagement, and the goal is to ensure people-centred projects. We aim to involve citizens from the project identification stage through implementation to the exit stage. This approach builds community ownership and promotes sustainability,' he said.
The PS emphasised the government's resolve to enhance efficiency through a whole-of-government approach, minimising duplication and maintaining citizens as the core focus of development. 'This is a continuous learning process. Through engagement and validation, we aim to address challenges, eliminate bottlenecks, and improve project delivery across the country,' he added, noting similar engagements were being carried out in Wajir, Garissa, and Central Kenya.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott outlined a variety of ongoing national government projects, highlighting their alignment with key development priorities ranging from affordable housing to key infrastructure projects in Kilifi County. 'We have ongoing affordable housing projects in Tezo and Mtwapa, and we also have ongoing market projects in Watamu, which is 75% complete. We also have units which we are assisting institutions to put up. For instance, the government is building hostels in Pwani University which will accommodate 1,700 students, while in six TVETs procurement is currently in progress,' he said.
Biwott assured residents that all stalled projects would be completed, including those inherited from the previous governments. 'All projects belong to the people, and the government is committed to completing them regardless of when they began. Currently the Kilifi-Mtwapa Highway project is progressing, with compensation and relocation of utilities underway; the Bamba-Ganze-Kilifi Road has resumed after previous delays, and the Mwakirunge Road is set to commence soon,' he said.
The Stakeholders and Citizen-Centred Engagement Forum on the implementation and validation of ongoing national government projects was adopted by the national government to incorporate inclusive governance, transparency, and accountability, which will address concerns surrounding the implementation of national government projects.