Nairobi Eastern and Central Regional Budget hub Participatation in SMACHS Foundation's Centre of Excellence Launch for Climate-Smart Agriculture
In a powerful demonstration of inter-county collaboration and commitment to environmental sustainability, Anita Nkirote, Budget Facilitator for Tharaka Nithi County and Sosthen Simiyu, Budget Facilitator for Kajiado County, attended the significant launch of the Centre of Excellence established by the SMACHS Foundation in Nairobi, Karen.
The launch marks a pivotal moment for climate action in Kenya. The new Centre of Excellence is envisioned as an Innovation Hub for Climate Change Revolution Action, aiming to bridge the gap between policy advocacy and grassroots implementation.
The core mandate of this Centre aligns perfectly with the budget facilitators’ work in fostering sustainable development within their respective counties. The Centre will focus intensely on supporting youth by equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary for modern agriculture and other critical climate action plans.
The training and innovation programs will particularly champion:-
1) Teaching techniques that help farmers adapt to changing climate conditions, increase resilience, and improve productivity sustainably.
2) Introducing youth to cutting-edge agri-tech solutions for efficiency in food production, water conservation, and resource management.
The participation of county budget facilitators like Ms. Nkirote and Mr. Simiyu is crucial. Their presence signals a willingness from county-level advocates to integrate high-impact, national innovations into local planning and budgeting processes. This collaboration is essential to ensure that policies like those championed by SMACHS Foundation are adequately funded and implemented at the community level, directly benefiting the farmers and youth of Tharaka Nithi and Kajiado and the entire NEC region
This initiative promises to be a catalyst for economic empowerment and environmental resilience, positioning Kenyan youth as leaders in the fight against climate change and food insecurity.
Kajiado Budget Champions Submit Inclusive Memorandum for 2026/27 ADP
In a significant move toward inclusive development, Kajiado County Budget Facilitator, Sosthen Simiyu, alongside the dedicated Kajiado County Budget Champions, led by Peggy Masambu, officially submitted their memorandum on the draft Annual Development Plan (ADP) 2026/27. This submission reflects the voices and core needs identified by community engagement, focusing on critical investments in youth, sports and services for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Prioritizing Inclusive Sports and Community Spaces
A major focus of the memorandum is the urgent need to support Kajiado’s youth and promote physical well-being across the county.
The champions strongly advocated for the construction of Youth Sports Facilities. Crucially, they emphasized that these new facilities must be designed with sports for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) incorporated from the outset, ensuring that sporting opportunities are accessible to all.
In addition to sports, the champions highlighted the community’s need for a central gathering space by proposing the development of a much-needed Community Social Hall.
Enhancing Health Access for Persons with Disabilities
The most extensive proposals within the memorandum target improving healthcare equity for the PWD community. Recognizing the significant barriers faced by PWDs in accessing essential health services, the submission demands specific provisions, including:
1) The mandatory provision of sign language interpreters in hospitals and all health facilities to ensure effective communication and informed consent.
2) The establishment of dedicated PWD Desks in all health facilities to streamline service access and provide targeted assistance.
3) The construction of a fully PWD-friendly maternity wing, ensuring safe, accessible and dignified care for expectant mothers with disabilities.
The efforts of Budget Facilitator Simiyu and Champion Masambu’s team represent a commendable commitment to ensuring that the county budget reflects true inclusivity. Their memorandum is a powerful step towards a Kajiado County where everyone, regardless of ability, has access to opportunities and essential services. We look forward to seeing these critical priorities integrated into the final ADP for 2026/27.
A Vow for Peace and Progress
The County Government of Kajiado had a remarkable youth engagement on peace during the public participation meeting for Kajiado’s Annual Development Plan 2026/27.
It was incredible to see so many young people step up and voice their aspirations for a better, more peaceful future.
Beyond the peace dialogue, the county government took time to listen to the community’s priorities for the 2025/2026 ADP
The insights shared were invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping Kajiado’s development. Our very own Sosthen Eugine Simiyu, Kajiado County Budget Facilitator representing NECHUB, was a powerful voice.
He passionately advocated for the prioritization of social protection programs, with a strong emphasis on youth economic empowerment and their inclusion in key decision-making processes.
His efforts truly showcased our commitment to ensuring no one is left behind.
Transformative Healthcare Advocacy: Peggy Masambu and Godfrey Ngamau’s Journey to Gataka Health Center’s Success
For Peggy Masambu and Godfrey Ngamau, Budget Champions from Kajiado County, the story of Gataka Health Center is a personal achievement. As active members of NEC Hub, both champions have been on a transformative journey of learning and advocacy, with virtual budget cafés playing a pivotal role in their success. “The virtual sessions gave us the tools we needed to connect community priorities with county budgets,” Peggy recalls. “They were our lightbulb moments.”
The Gataka Health Center, also known as G-City Health Center, is now a lifeline for a rural-urban population of over 100,000 people in Nkaimurunya Ward, Kajiado North Sub-County. But the journey to this milestone began with challenges. “Before this facility, expectant mothers had to travel for hours for basic antenatal care,” Godfrey explains. “We knew something had to change.”
The NEC Hub’s virtual budget cafés empowered Peggy and Godfrey to mobilize their community and hold the county government accountable. Drawing on insights from the sessions, they organized training forums and community dialogues to highlight the urgent need for accessible healthcare.
They worked closely with local leaders and a county public participation officer, leveraging the Kajiado County Community Health Service Bill to align the community’s priorities with the county’s health budget.
Their efforts bore fruit with the construction of the Gataka Health Center, a Level 3 facility that now provides essential services, including antenatal care (ANC), mother and child health (MCH), and comprehensive care (CCC). The center serves an average of 300 patients daily and features a 10-bed maternity unit. “Seeing this facility come to life felt like a dream,” Peggy says. “It was proof that when a community comes together, anything is possible.”
The introduction of Taifa Care further enhanced the center’s impact, bringing universal healthcare closer to reality. Patients now travel from neighboring areas, including Oloolua, Olkeri, Rongai and even Karen Ward in Nairobi, to access services at Gataka Health Center. “We’re no longer just serving our ward,” Godfrey notes. “This is a regional facility, and it’s a testament to what advocacy can achieve.”
Peggy and Godfrey’s advocacy didn’t stop at construction. They actively worked to ensure the facility remained well-stocked with essential medicines and adequately staffed. They also championed the training of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) to meet the needs of diverse patients, reflecting the center’s inclusive approach. “We’ve seen how healthcare can transform lives,” Peggy reflects. “And we’re not done yet.”
This success story underscores the transformative power of informed advocacy and community collaboration. For Peggy and Godfrey, it’s a reminder that every voice matters and that real change begins with a shared vision and persistent action.
Benchmarking and Courtesy call to CEC Department of Lands, Housing, Planning and Urban Development
Ndirangu Gachunia is the CEC Department of Lands, Housing, Planning and Urban Development.
He is also the CEO of the Central Economic Region Bloc(CEREB) made up of the 10 Governors in the region
We paid him a courtesy call as we were to benchmark and learn from the implementation of the Conditional Grant KISIP 2
Budget Facilitator making submissions at the Municipality Citizen Fora and presentations of the unfair expiry of business licenses memorandum
Ngong Municipality manager receiving the written submission from Kajiado Budget Facilitator
