The United States (US) will work closely with heads of devolved units in Kenya to spur meaningful growth and development, Ambassador Kyle McCarter has said.
Speaking in Nyamira on Thursday, the US envoy to Kenya said: "US believes in Devolution and it must work in all devolved units".
On devolution, McCarter argued, is more responsive than traditional centralised systems.
"We advocate for governments which are close to people because they are more responsive," he said during a meeting with Nyamira local leaders.
While noting that Nyamira is endowed with a lot of opportunities, McCarter said the county is yet to tap economic resources to capacity.
The US, he added, will work with the county by supporting agriculture, health, clean energy among other sectors.
"We shall support farmers to get the value of their inputs. The US will support agriculture, health, clean energy among others," he said.
To realise the full potential of the agricultural county, the envoy revealed, the US will help in the drilling of boreholes across the county.
McCarter replaced Robert Godec this year. It was his first trip to the former Nyanza province since taking over.
With America also keen on fostering education in Africa, McCarter said, "We will continue funding education for both bright and needy students."
Host Governor John Nyagarama lauded America's continued friendship with Kenya, calling for more partnership between Washington DC and Nyamira.
Governor Nyagarama asked the US to help in training and capacity building, hiring of health human resource and exchange programme which will help officers to upgrade their management skills on devolved units.
"We need more help in agriculture, infrastructure, street lightning and expansion of our local schools," he said.
The two leaders also discussed the ailing tea sector, in which McCarter asked the Kenyan government to deal with 'unscrupulous brokers'.
Nyagarama is keen to accomplish his Big Four Agenda, which include better infrastructure, improved health services and agricultural productivity.
The trip by the US envoy will greatly boost the county's ongoing expansion of international networks and mutual relations.
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