By Maroa Enock – PCO

Residents across Kiambu County are set to benefit from improved infrastructure following the conclusion of an intensive capacity-building programme targeting Municipal Board Members in all the 12 municipalities in the County.

The training, spearheaded by the Directorate of Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD), brought together Board Chairpersons, members, and Municipal Managers, who serve as Board Secretaries, in a deliberate effort to strengthen governance, sharpen oversight, and enhance strategic leadership at the grassroots.

The programme comes at a critical time when Municipalities are preparing to roll out development projects funded through the Kenya Urban Support Programme phase two (KUSP II), with Kiambu set to manage Sh1.6 billion recently unlocked under APA1 for infrastructure upgrades.

Chief Officer Martin Kangiri addressing Gatundu board meembers during capacity-building training

These funds will be shared among municipalities based on population and will finance projects such as roads, street lighting, non-motorized transport system among others, investments, expected to uplift communities and stimulate local economies.

Speaking during a session in Gatundu Municipality, Chief Officer Mr. Martin Kang’iri underscored the county’s resolve to professionalize municipal governance.

“Strong municipalities are built on strong leadership. When our Board Members clearly understand their mandates, we will unlock faster project implementation, prudent use of public resources, and better services for wananchi,” said CO Kangiri.

Unlike conventional workshops, the programme focused on practical skills directly linked to service delivery. Participants engaged in sessions on governance and leadership, municipal partnerships, project management, monitoring and evaluation, land use planning and Citizen engagement among others.

Githurai Board Training

Dr. Samuel Gichere from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development (SDHUD) challenged Boards to rethink financing models and position municipalities as competitive investment destinations.

“Municipalities must position themselves as investment-ready spaces. Strategic partnerships are not optional; they are essential for sustainable urban growth,” he noted.

On Corporate Governance, Leadership & Decision making, as well as public participation & Citizen engagement, Ms. Patricia Muchiri, Marketing and Branding Consultant, emphasized accountability and clarity of roles.

“Good governance is not about titles; it is about responsibility, transparency, and the courage to make decisions that serve the public interest,” Ms Muchiri told participants.

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mr. Jason Wekesa equipped members with knowledge to track project progress, measure value for money, and ensure accountability.

County planning experts further guided discussions on land use planning, zoning and development control to promote orderly urban growth.

“Planning is the backbone of development. Without it, we risk chaotic growth that strains infrastructure and services,” noted the County Director of the Land Use Planning, Ms. Hannah Maranga.

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mr. Jason Wekesa facilitating training on project management

Board members welcomed the initiative and described the training as timely and transformative.

“We have gained practical knowledge that will directly influence how we oversee projects and conduct public participation. A legally compliant and well-structured process prevents costly delays and builds public trust,” said the Board Chairperson of Kiambu municipality Antony Macharia.

“This training has clarified our roles and sharpened our focus. We are now better prepared to deliver on our mandate,” said Mr Macharia.

As the training sessions conclude, the focus has now shifted to the upcoming Second Annual Performance Assessment (APA 2), a critical evaluation that will determine the County’s eligibility for continued programme fundings.

Preparations for the assessment gained momentum following a high-level courtesy call by a delegation from the SDHUD to Chief Officer Kang’iri. The delegation, led by National Director and KUSP II Coordinator Planner Lilian Kieni, accompanied by Mr. Nick Mbwika from the Council of Governors (CoG), held a comprehensive meeting with county officials to review the APA 2 scorecard and compliance.

KUSP II is designed to strengthen urban institutions, improve infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and stimulate private sector engagement. The programme places strong emphasis on sustainable urbanization, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the integration of vulnerable communities into broader urban development frameworks.

Githunguri board

By investing in empowered leadership and technical excellence at the municipal level, the County Government of Kiambu is laying the foundation for responsive, transparent, and performance-driven urban management, ensuring that development is not only planned but felt in the daily lives of residents.