KILIFI- The State Department for National Government Coordination convened a high-level stakeholder and citizen engagement forum at Pwani University in Kilifi County on Wednesday, aiming to strengthen community involvement in the implementation of national government priority projects.
The engagement, part of a broader public feedback initiative in the coastal region, was officially opened by the Principal Secretary for National Government Coordination, Hon. Ahmed Abdisalan Ibrahim.
The session brought together local residents, administrative officers, the county security team, faith-based organizations, civil society, media, development partners, Jua Kali artisans and elders from the kaya community to deliberate on ongoing and planned programs in the county.
PS Abdisalan stressed the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and people-centered development, noting that citizens were not just beneficiaries of government programs, but co-owners in their design, delivery and sustainability.
“This exercise is for all of us, said the Principal Secretary. “We want to hear your views on the projects underway, how they are impacting your livelihoods, the gaps that need to be addressed, and the innovations that can be introduced. If we do not listen to the people, we risk losing the essence of what these programmes are meant to achieve.”
He outlined the government’s focus on targeted investments across four pillars: agriculture, micro and small enterprises, employment creation and improving foreign exchange earnings. He said 51 priority programmes are at various stages of implementation in Kilifi and other counties and that public feedback would play a critical role in shaping how these projects move forward.
Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Biwott, who welcomed the State Department team, described the forum as timely and necessary. He noted that Kilifi County, with its unique socio-economic challenges, required regular public engagements to bridge the gap between government planning and community expectations.
“This is a government that listens and responds,” said Biwott. “We cannot build trust without engagement. This forum is a model of how national government and citizens should interact with transparency, synergy, mutual respect and an eye on results.”
He also took the opportunity to address matters of public accountability in local administration, revealing that nine chiefs in Kilifi had been arrested in recent weeks in connection with various infractions, including negligence and involvement in illicit activities. “We are firm on integrity. Public officers must operate within the law and uphold the values of service to the people,” said Biwott. “The arrests send a strong message that we will not tolerate impunity at any level.”
Deliberations during the session revealed several areas of concern and opportunity. Participants pointed out delays in compensation along the Kilifi–Mtwapa Road, which they said had frustrated local residents and hindered project progress.
The PS assured the forum that inter-agency consultations were ongoing to resolve the compensation impasse.
PS AHMED ABDISALAN, NATIONAL GOVERNMENT COORDINATION ADDRESSING STAKEHOLDERS AT THE PWANI UNIVERSITY IN KILIFI COUNTY.
The status of critical infrastructure projects was also discussed, including the Galana Kulalu bridge that is now 20% complete and is expected to significantly improve access and enhance food security. Other major projects include the Watamu Market and matatu stage, Affordable Housing and Rural Housing programmes, the fish market in Malindi, the fish landing site in Kilifi, the Kilifi South Utalii College that is set to open in September, irrigation schemes along the Sabaki River, cotton farming in Magarini and the County Aggregation and Industrial Park, which is currently in Phase Two of implementation.
A recurring issue raised by stakeholders was the need to expand digital connectivity and ICT infrastructure, particularly through the development of ward-level digital hubs.
Residents and youth groups expressed concern that many wards in Kilifi still lack access to basic digital services, despite the government’s broader push for a digital economy.
Speakers urged the State Department to fast-track the establishment of fully equipped digital hubs across the county’s wards to create employment opportunities for youth and foster digital innovation.
“We cannot speak of inclusion if our young people are left behind in the digital space,” said a participant. “These hubs must be functional, with internet, computers, training programs and business incubation services. That is how we will empower rural youth.”
PS Ahmed acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that digital transformation was a government priority under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
He said the government was working with partners to roll out and upgrade digital hubs and Kilifi would be among the focus counties in the next implementation phase.
On the environment, the PS lauded Kilifi County’s contribution to President William Ruto’s 15-billion tree-planting initiative, reporting that over 33 million trees had been planted in gazetted and ungazetted areas, including the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and coastal mangrove ecosystems.
He also noted that police posts would be integrated within Affordable Housing estates to enhance the safety and security of residents. “You cannot talk of decent living without safety. That is why security infrastructure is now part of housing planning,” he said.
In conclusion, PS Ahmed reiterated that the success of national programmes relies on citizen ownership and joint accountability. “We must walk this journey together from inception to implementation. Only then can we deliver transformative, people-centered development,” he said.
The forum ended with a call for continued engagements and stronger mechanisms for follow-up and feedback as the government moves to scale up project implementation across Kilifi County.
