Poverty will continue being Kenya's major problem if leaders keep on intentionally disregarding citizens at the grassroots level, Makueni Governor Prof Kivutha Kibwana has warned.
The county boss said for poverty to be reduced and faster development achieved, the leadership must invest in people and improve governance which was core in economic empowerment.
"I'm convinced that improving governance and investing in people is a basic requirement for accelerated poverty reduction and faster development. There can't be any development if the people at the grassroots level are ignored," he said on Wednesday.
Kibwana added: "Leadership creates leadership. There's a lot of power in seemingly ordinary people and we need to tap into that to drive development."
He made the remarks in Nairobi while speaking to development partners during the Africa Lead Learning Event, a USAID program on the hard facts about the soft art of facilitative leadership.
The governor said he has achieved much success in his county by allowing the electorate to participate actively in the budget formulation process and in implementing only programmes which Makueni residents identify as priority.
"In Makueni, we formed a third government, a people-driven development framework from village upwards to the County level. Planning and annual budgeting is achieved here. The people identify and prioritize their budgetary needs. The Governor cant manipulate the process," he remarked.