United States and Makueni County Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Makueni, Kenya. January 23, 2020 – The U.S. Government, through USAID, and the County of Makueni signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that signifies a joint commitment to Kenyan-led development in Makueni County. The MOU reflects their shared vision for ugatuzi or devolution in the county that meets 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 implement solutions at the county level,” explained USAID Mission Director Mark Meassick.
This MOU provides a framework to guide the new way that USAID and Makueni 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 global 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 United States believes in the potential of the Kenyan people to drive inclusive development and we believe the best programs are ones that invest in the Kenyan people,” concluded Mr. Meassick.
The MOU was signed by Mission Director Mark Meassick and Makueni County Governor H.E. Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, and witnessed by USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Greg Collins and the Makueni Acting County Secretary. Makueni County is 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.
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For more information please contact:
Sarah Samuel, Communications and Outreach Director
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Kenya and East Africa