Kindiki cites finding gaps, calls for closer coordination with development partners

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged development partners to align their financial and technical support with the government’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda to enhance delivery and impact of key projects.

Speaking during the 13th Development Partnership Forum held at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi on Thursday, Kindiki emphasised the need for stronger coordination between the government and its development partners to accelerate progress on both current and future programmes.

“We are requesting our development partners to align existing and future programmes with priorities of the Kenyan government, especially the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda spearheaded by this administration and the Kenya Vision 2030,” he said.

The Forum, which is co-chaired by Kindiki, Germany ambassador to Kenya, Sebastian Groth, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson, brings together stakeholders to review the status of co-funded initiatives and resolve challenges affecting implementation.

During the meeting, Kindiki acknowledged the valuable contribution made by development partners in advancing socio-economic development.

He highlighted flagship programmes such as the Isiolo-Mandera infrastructure project and the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme as examples of progress made through joint efforts.

“We do not take for granted that with the collaboration with Development Partners, the Government of Kenya has made impressive achievements in terms of socio-economic development as well as the management of our environment and natural resources,” he said.

The Deputy President said the Forum is critical in tackling issues that often slow down project delivery, such as delays in releasing funds, gaps in government counterpart funding, and uncoordinated off-budget support that risks duplication and weak oversight.

“The absence of clear, predictable counterpart funding requirements embedded within financing agreements continues to pose a serious impediment to project implementation. We have also identified the challenge of uncoordinated off-budget support, whose lack of centralized visibility presents risks such as double allocation of resources to similar projects, ineffective planning and resource allocation, and possible lack of accountability,” he noted.

Senior representatives from development partners, Cabinet Secretaries, and members of constitutional commissions and offices were also present at the Forum, which aims to improve collaboration and ensure smoother implementation of government programmes.