As one of Kenya’s fastest-growing cities, Kisumu has embraced modern urban management practices that seek to enhance cleanliness, planning, environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.
By Staff Writer
Kisumu County continues to strengthen its position as one of Kenya’s leading centres of economic growth, urban transformation and public sector innovation. Guided by a clear development agenda under Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, the county has intensified efforts to improve service delivery, strengthen financial management, modernise urban administration and create an enabling environment for investment. The county’s development journey reflects a deliberate commitment to building strong institutions capable of delivering sustainable progress while improving the quality of life for residents.
Through strategic planning, prudent fiscal management and collaboration with development partners, the Kisumu County Executive has continued to implement programmes and projects that are shaping the county’s future. These include road rehabilitation works, market upgrades, drainage improvements, street lighting projects, water and sanitation interventions, and the expansion of public facilities that directly serve communities across the county. The administration has maintained a strong focus on infrastructure development, institutional reforms, economic empowerment and efficient public service.
Governor Nyong’o’s vision of positioning Kisumu as the economic gateway to the Lake Region continues to influence policy decisions and development priorities across all sectors. Under his leadership, the county has backed this vision with practical projects such as urban road upgrades, improved access roads in rural wards, modern market facilities, and public space improvements that support trade, mobility and local enterprise. Recognising that sustainable development depends on sound financial management, the county has prioritised reforms aimed at strengthening its own-source revenue.
Under the leadership of George Okong’o, the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, Kisumu has embarked on an ambitious Revenue Enhancement and Accountability Strategy designed to modernise revenue collection while promoting transparency and efficiency. The strategy focuses on strengthening the collection of land rates, business permits, outdoor advertising fees, parking revenue and development approvals through improved systems and enhanced accountability. By embracing technology and streamlining revenue administration, the county seeks to minimise leakages while making compliance easier for businesses and residents.
This has been supported by digital revenue systems, improved enforcement mechanisms and better coordination between finance officers and field teams. The reforms are expected to increase locally generated revenue, enabling the county to finance more development projects while reducing dependence on equitable share allocations from the National Government. They also demonstrate the county’s commitment to prudent financial management and responsible utilisation of public resources. Increased revenue collection is helping to support visible projects such as market renovations, ward-level infrastructure works, street lighting, and maintenance of county assets.
As the head of the county’s financial planning function, Okong’o has continued to support budget implementation and fiscal discipline, ensuring that public expenditure remains aligned with the county’s development priorities. The emphasis on accountability, transparency and efficient allocation of resources has strengthened confidence in the county’s financial management systems and improved the county’s ability to fund ongoing and completed projects. Investment promotion has equally remained a cornerstone of the county’s economic agenda.
Recognising Kisumu’s strategic location as the commercial hub of the Lake Region, Governor Nyong’o has continued to champion initiatives that attract investors while expanding opportunities for local enterprises. Through partnerships with the private sector, development agencies and regional economic blocs, the county is positioning itself as a competitive destination for business and industry. This has been reinforced by projects that improve the business climate, including upgraded trading centres, improved road connectivity to commercial zones, and the development of public infrastructure that supports logistics, hospitality and trade.
One notable milestone was the county’s support for the Business Ecosystem Summit, which brought together investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and development partners to explore new opportunities for trade, innovation and enterprise development. The summit reaffirmed Kisumu’s growing reputation as a regional investment destination and highlighted the county’s commitment to creating an enabling business environment. It also complemented ongoing projects aimed at strengthening enterprise growth, including market improvements, incubation support for small businesses and enhanced access to county services.
Agriculture, another pillar of the county’s economy, has continued to receive significant attention. The county has worked closely with the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya and the Lake Region Economic Bloc to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve market access for farmers. The initiative aims to increase agricultural exports while promoting value addition, food security and improved household incomes. This has been backed by practical interventions such as support for aggregation centres, improved feeder roads in farming areas, irrigation-related initiatives and market linkages that help farmers move produce more efficiently.
These interventions support the county’s broader objective of transforming agriculture into a commercially viable sector capable of creating employment and driving economic growth. By linking farmers to markets and improving the infrastructure that supports production and distribution, the county is helping to turn policy into measurable results. Urban transformation remains one of the most visible achievements of the county administration. Under the leadership of Abala Wanga, Kisumu City has continued implementing programmes that promote orderly urban development, efficient city management and improved public services.
As one of Kenya’s fastest-growing cities, Kisumu has embraced modern urban management practices that seek to enhance cleanliness, planning, environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. This has been reflected in projects such as road maintenance within the city, drainage works to reduce flooding, improved waste management systems, public lighting, and the upgrading of key urban spaces. Working closely with the County Executive, the City Management team has supported initiatives aimed at improving urban infrastructure, enhancing the investment climate and strengthening service delivery within the city.
These efforts have included the rehabilitation of access roads, improvements to pedestrian and transport corridors, and the organisation of public spaces that support commerce and mobility. The continued focus on effective urban governance has reinforced Kisumu’s position as a leading secondary city capable of supporting regional trade, tourism and innovation. Institutional strengthening has equally remained central to the county’s transformation agenda. As the head of the County Public Service, CPA/CS Hesbon Owuor Hongo, the County Secretary, has continued providing strategic coordination of government operations while ensuring effective implementation of Executive Committee decisions.
His office plays a critical role in harmonising county programmes, strengthening interdepartmental collaboration and promoting efficient public administration. Through effective coordination, the Office of the County Secretary Hesbon Hongo has contributed to improved institutional performance and enhanced delivery of government services. This coordination has been essential in ensuring that projects across departments are implemented in a timely and integrated manner. Mr. Hongo has also overseen initiatives aimed at strengthening governance systems and safeguarding public assets. Among the notable initiatives has been the county’s collaboration with the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee to secure the legal ownership and documentation of county assets.
The programme is intended to improve accountability while ensuring proper management and protection of public resources. It also supports the county’s broader effort to protect land, buildings and infrastructure that underpin service delivery and future development. The county has also continued investing in stronger institutions that directly improve the lives of residents. One significant milestone was the commissioning of the new Kombewa Law Courts by Governor Nyong’o together with Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The facility has expanded access to justice for residents of Seme and neighbouring areas by bringing judicial services closer to the people. This project stands as a clear example of how county leadership can support national institutions while improving access to essential services. The county further strengthened access to justice through the launch of Tribunals Shared Services and improved City Court facilities, reflecting a broader commitment to institutional efficiency and citizen-centred service delivery. These developments have been complemented by other public service improvements, including better office coordination, upgraded administrative spaces and enhanced service points for residents.
These initiatives underscore the administration’s recognition that development extends beyond physical infrastructure to include institutions capable of delivering timely, efficient and accessible public services. The county has equally continued strengthening its executive leadership through strategic appointments aimed at enhancing technical capacity across various departments. This approach has enabled the administration to improve coordination while ensuring that specialised sectors receive focused leadership.
The result has been better implementation of projects, stronger oversight and improved responsiveness to community needs. Environmental sustainability has remained an integral component of Kisumu’s long-term development agenda. Governor Nyong’o has consistently advocated for planned urban growth that balances economic expansion with environmental conservation. The county continues to integrate sustainable planning principles into infrastructure development, recognising that environmental stewardship is essential for long-term prosperity.
This has informed projects such as drainage improvement, tree planting, waste management reforms and the protection of public spaces and riparian areas. Kisumu has also enhanced its profile as a preferred destination for conferences, regional meetings and investment forums. The city’s strategic location, improved infrastructure and growing hospitality sector continue to attract national and international events that generate business opportunities for local enterprises. These engagements have been supported by improvements in roads, accommodation facilities, public amenities and city management systems that make Kisumu more attractive to visitors and investors alike.
These engagements have strengthened Kisumu’s visibility within the East African region while contributing to growth in tourism, hospitality and related sectors. As the county advances its development agenda, collaboration among the executive leadership continues to underpin successful implementation of key programmes. Governor Nyong’o provides strategic policy direction and oversight. George Okong’o continues to strengthen financial planning and revenue mobilisation. Abala Wanga leads efforts to improve urban governance and city management, while Hongo coordinates government operations and institutional performance across the County Executive.
Together, these complementary leadership roles have enabled the county to pursue integrated development while maintaining a strong focus on accountability, innovation and service delivery. Their work is reflected not only in policy statements but also in the projects visible across the county, from roads and markets to courts, public facilities, urban services and agricultural support initiatives. Although development is an ongoing journey, Kisumu County’s recent achievements demonstrate the value of strategic planning, institutional reforms and collaborative leadership.
Continued investment in financial management, urban development, agriculture, investment promotion and governance has positioned the county to build on the gains already realised. With its emphasis on sustainable growth, efficient public administration and inclusive economic development, Kisumu continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Kenya’s most progressive devolved governments. Guided by visionary leadership and supported by capable institutions, the county is steadily building a resilient future that creates opportunities for businesses, empowers communities and enhances the well-being of its residents.
