The United States government will now be working directly with county governments in fulfilling its agenda on economic development in the country.
US Ambassador Kyle McCarter made the announcement during his tour of Vihiga County, where he was hosted by Governor Wilber Ottichilo and area county commissioner Ochillo Oyugi in Mbale Town on Monday, December 16, at the Vihiga County headquarters.
''I have embarked on a tour of all the counties in order to understand the people and available natural resources that the US government is going to work on as it strives to turn Kenya into an economic hub in East and Central Africa,” McCarter stated.
In a report published by KNA, the ambassador discussed the unexplored potential of devolved units citing Kenya's endowment with natural and human resources which he opined, if tapped well, had the potential of propelling Kenya into becoming economically self-reliant.
''Devolution is the best form of governance as it brings government projects, programmes and services closer to citizens,'' McCarter added
The ambassador singled out the health and water sector in Kenya as their key areas of focus for development partnership between his government and Kenya's 47 counties.
Currently, the US government has pledged to continue supporting ongoing US-funded projects and programmes aimed at improving livelihoods as well as living standards of citizens
The ambassador encouraged Kenyans to support the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) by the president Uhuru Kenyatta and Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga reiterating that the report was considered a great milestone on the country's devolution journey.
Furthermore, McCarter expressed the interest of the US government to see Kenya become a benefactor for other countries in East and Central Africa.
The US ambassador stated that the US government shared goodwill and envision Kenya not being on the list of beneficiaries of external aid and become a more self sustained nation.
