Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong has signed a 5-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a transformation partnership on economic growth, better health, agriculture, good governance and education.
The Governor appended his signature on the document on behalf of the County Government while Deputy Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa, Bert Ubamadu signed on behalf of USAID.
The collaboration will centre on development projects that support the promotion of inclusive and sustainable economic, social and political development of Busia County.
Ojaamong applauded previous engagement that saw the county improve on heath and Early Childhood Education.
“I want to acknowledge the efforts made by USAID in our health sector through Ampath, under Universal Health Coverage (UHC), a pilot programme that saw over 3000 families of Bunyala sub-county benefit from NHIF medical cover,” the governor said.
Ojaamong noted that, previous engagements with USAID was devoid of consultations, noting that the document has wide scope of support including agriculture, education, infrastructure and many others.
The Governor thanked USAID for initiating many projects in the county that helped improve the county resident’s livelihood, pledging to continue with that collaboration.
USAID Deputy Mission Director for Kenya and East Africa, Bert Ubamadu said that the organization has had a strong partnership and bidding relationship with Busia County in efforts to emulate development.
“Through the signing of MoU today we are proud to establish official engagement with Busia County. USAID will use a new approach to address problems and implement solutions at the county level,” he said.
USAID has been working closely with EAC and other organisations to strengthen cross border health, trade, Agriculture, and education development.
The organization has noted a persistent gap between the rich and nearly 70 per cent of Kenyans who are poor or live near the poverty line, which leaves them vulnerable to poor nutrition and preventable diseases.
Skyrocketing poverty in the country has been attributed to failure by the government to come up with poverty alleviation programs, inadequate systems to address unemployment and low involvement of communities in the agricultural sector.
By Absalom Namwalo
