Counties told to fast-track growth plan

The Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat (VDS) has put to task county governments to fast-track the implementation of Vision 2030 flagship projects in a bid to meet set goals.

Speaking at a Council of Governors briefing that focused on monitoring the implementation process of the projects, Vision 2030 Delivery Board Director Julius Muia said having signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with various counties, there was an urgent need to forge concerted efforts among stakeholders in actualisation and effective implementation of the projects.

He singled out Taita Taveta County’s 5-year MoU as the first devolved roadmap.

Muia said Taita Taveta County is set to benefit from at least 12 Vision 2030 flagship projects including implementation of the Standard Gauge Railway, SME Parks, utilisation of Game Parks, construction of a Sports Stadium, a Dry Port, Voi-Mwatate-Taveta Highway and Mining of iron ore, asbestos and gemstones.

Speaking at the briefing, Taita Taveta Governor John Mruttu said the call to expedite the implementation of these projects at the county level was informed by realisation that successful implementation of Vision 2030 flagship and other priority projects in Taita Taveta County will hugely rely on the interaction between the two levels of government as well as alignment to the national economic model.

“We have noted that Taita Taveta priorities are not far aligned from the second medium-term plan agenda in the period 2013-2017 to modernising agriculture; improving the business environment; diversifying our tourism niched products, export and mining among other solutions needed to address the acute challenges of poverty and inequality,” said Mruttu.