Garissa starts preparation of third generation county plan

The county government of Garissa has started preparations for the third-generation integrated development plan 2023-27.

All programmes and projects are required to be prioritised within the budget lines.

Acting county secretary Abdinasir Yussuf opened the dissemination and capacity-building workshop on the guidelines for the preparation of the CIDP.

He said the aim of the one-day workshop was to enable the county to develop a CIDP that has clear goals and outcomes with an implementation matrix plan.

“As we embark on this very important exercise we will leave no one behind, which means the plan must capture the unborn, children below five, teenagers, adults and the ecosystem which forms part of our lives,” Yussuf said.

Patrick Okello, a public policy specialist, reiterated that it is time for the Garissa technical team to work hand in hand in delivering a policy document that will be accepted across the board.

Okello said that issues of population dynamics, PLWD, youth, women, climate change, gender issues and digital learning for the ECDE among others must be well captured in third generation CIDP.

He added that all projects under medium-term plan four[MPT1V], governors manifesto and community priorities must find their way into the 3rd planning blueprint for the county.

He said that all legal requirements must be followed while carrying out the exercise. This he said should be done in accordance with the constitution requirements.

“The government should therefore fund projects that will have a direct impact on the community. Any project that will be implemented outside the CIDP will go against the law,” he said.

Deputy county commissioner Solomon Chesut advised the team that will be mandated to prepare the CIDP to prioritise programmes/projects that will leave a lasting mark on the people of Garissa.

The administrator assured the county of their unwavering support in making sure that the county planning is completed in time.

The event was organised by the Council of Governors, the State Department for Planning and the Kenya Institute of Public Policy Research and Analysis.

Other participants were drawn from departmental heads both from the national and county governments and supporting agencies.

They were trained on guidelines for the preparations of the 3rd generation CIDPs, criteria for identification of flagship projects and medium-term plan overview and a review of CIDP II 2017-22.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)