A high-level meeting bringing together leaders, professionals, and members of the Ukambani Agenda Technical Team was held on Saturday March 1, 2025 to strategize on key development priorities for the Kamba community.
The meeting, which followed an earlier gathering at Maanzoni, focused on laying out a clear roadmap for economic empowerment, leadership opportunities, and regional infrastructure improvements.
Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Dr. Alfred Mutua, who led the discussions, emphasized the need for a united front in addressing the challenges facing Ukambani.
He reiterated the commitment of leaders to fostering sustainable progress and ensuring the region plays a more significant role in national development.
One of the primary issues discussed was the empowerment of the Kamba people through leadership and professional growth.
The leaders resolved to push for more representation in key sectors, ensuring that the community has access to influential decision-making positions both in government and private institutions.
Mutua highlighted that empowerment is a critical component of progress and that deliberate efforts must be made to create more opportunities for the people of Ukambani.
The meeting also reaffirmed the leaders’ commitment to development priorities that would drive economic transformation in the region.
Infrastructure, education, and employment were identified as crucial areas that require immediate attention.
Transparency and accountability in decision-making were emphasized as key principles that would guide all initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of the Kamba people.
A major outcome of the meeting was the decision to seek direct engagement with President William Ruto to present the region’s development agenda.
Among the issues to be discussed with the Head of State include improving road networks, enhancing education standards, expanding access to clean water, advancing electrification efforts, and creating job opportunities for the youth.
Additionally, the leaders plan to advocate for better business support, including access to credit and funding for local entrepreneurs, as well as increased representation of Kamba professionals in the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The leaders also underscored the importance of investing in youth empowerment programs.
Recognizing the vital role young people play in shaping the future, they resolved to initiate mentorship and skills development programs to prepare them for leadership and professional opportunities.
Mutua noted that without equipping the youth with the necessary tools for success, the region’s long-term growth would be compromised.
To ensure that the development agenda aligns with the actual needs of the people, the leaders announced plans to embark on listening tours across the region.
These engagements will cover Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties, as well as areas with a significant Kamba population, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Taveta, Embu, and Kwale. The goal is to gather firsthand insights from the community and incorporate them into the broader development strategy.
Mutua also emphasized the Kamba community’s role in national progress, stating that its contributions must be fully recognized and harnessed for the benefit of the country. He reiterated that the community’s economic, intellectual, and political strength must be leveraged to drive meaningful change at both regional and national levels.
As part of the next steps, the leaders plan to finalize and submit an official request for a meeting with President Ruto, organize grassroots engagements, roll out youth mentorship programs, and follow up on ongoing development projects related to roads, education, water access, electricity, and job creation.
The upcoming Maanzoni 2 function is expected to solidify these resolutions, providing a platform for further discussions and ensuring that the implementation of the outlined strategies remains on course.
