KISII, Kenya, February 19, 2020 – The U.S. Government, through USAID, and the County of Kisii signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that signifies a joint commitment to Kenyan-led development in Kisii County. The MOU reflects their shared vision for ugatuzi or devolution in the county that meets the needs of its residents.
To support Kisii County in its devolution goal to increase private sector growth, Kisii 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 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.
This MOU provides a framework to guide the new way that USAID and Kisii 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 programs in the areas of agriculture, democracy and mutual security, education, health, and youth workforce development.
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.
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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