KAKAMEGA, Kenya, February 3, 2020 – The U.S. Government, through United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the County of Kakamega signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that signifies a joint commitment to Kenyan-led development in Kakamega County. The MOU reflects their shared vision for ugatuzi or devolution in the county that meets the needs of its residents.
To support Kakamega County in its devolution goal to increase private sector growth, Kakamega County has been selected as a focus county under the U.S. Government’s Prosper Africa initiative to increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and Kenya at the county level.
The MOU signed today provides a framework to guide the new way that USAID and Kakamega County will do business together, including: aligning activities, plans and budgets; designing new programs and priorities together; jointly monitoring and evaluating programs; and working together to counter corruption and protect beneficiaries. USAID’s past investments in the county have included successful programs in the areas of health, education and access to clean water and the United States looks forward to continue working with the County of Kakamega to meet the needs of its residents.
“The United States Government is shifting the way we work. We want our programs to be co-created, co-implemented, and co-measured to address problems and solve them at the county level,” explained USAID Mission Director Mark Meassick.
USAID’s new policy is to end the need for foreign assistance by transforming the relationships between the public, civil society, and private sectors to generate opportunities for all Kenyans. Together, Americans and Kenyans will accelerate the county’s journey to self-reliance.
“The County Government of Kakamega will spare no effort to ensure that the ordinary citizen is the beneficiary of government services as envisaged in the devolution development agenda. Through partnership with USAID, with whom we share the passion for positive transformation of people’s lives through participatory approach to development, we are confident that the needs of residents will be met,” says H.E. Wycliffe Oparanya, Governor of Kakamega County.
The MOU was signed by Mission Director Mark Meassick and Kakamega Governor, H.E. Wycliffe Oparanya.
Additional Resources: Prosper Counties Fact Sheet
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For more information please contact:
Sarah Samuel, Communication and Outreach Director
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya and East Africa