Nairobi: Bungoma County has partnered with the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) to anchor its development planning and spending on credible data and research. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Governor Kenneth Lusaka and KIPPRA Executive Director Dr. Eldah Onsomu, is expected to transform how the county formulates policies, allocates resources, and measures development outcomes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Lusaka said the partnership will streamline research for the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and other programmes, ensuring interventions are evidence-based and deliver tangible results. Lusaka emphasized that collaboration with KIPPRA will enable the county to streamline research in CIDP development to deliver development for the people.
He noted that the county will tap KIPPRA’s expertise in key sectors, including revenue enhancement, agriculture, and health, a move that will also cut the cost of hiring external consultants. Lusaka added that KIPPRA will come in handy in revenue research, agriculture, health, and other sectors, cutting consultancy services.
Under the deal, the two institutions will undertake joint research, host policy seminars and research workshops, and roll out capacity-building programmes for county staff. These programmes will include mentorship, short courses in forecasting and macroeconomic modelling, as well as internships, fellowships, and secondments.
The county will also gain access to specialised expertise in economic modelling and policy analysis, strengthening the technical capacity of its officers to identify priorities and evaluate programmes. A Joint Coordination Committee comprising two representatives from each side has been established to oversee implementation of the MoU.
KIPPRA Executive Director Dr. Eldah Onsomu welcomed the partnership, saying it will bolster Bungoma’s management systems and accelerate its development agenda. She stated that this partnership will strengthen the county’s management and support development.
The agreement comes at a time when devolved units are under pressure to justify public spending through measurable results and sound planning. According to the MoU, its principal objective is to define areas of collaboration in pursuit of national and county development goals through quality public policy advice while providing a framework for future specific agreements.
