Kitui County has taken a major step towards boosting education and healthcare by setting aside land for a Kenya Utalii College campus and a new Africa Inland Church (AIC) hospital. The initiative, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tiva Secondary School, will see 26 acres dedicated to the Utalii College campus and six acres for the hospital. The signing ceremony on Wednesday was attended by Governor Julius Malombe, Tiva Secondary School board chairman Justus Manandu, county education executive Joyce Masila, and AIC Bishop Rev. Joseph Muendo. The move underscores the county’s commitment to integrated development, combining education, health, and economic growth.
The land allocation fulfills a pledge made by former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua to establish a Utalii College campus in the county. Governor Malombe emphasized that the projects will not only provide advanced training in hospitality and tourism but also improve access to quality healthcare for local families. The county has already invested in infrastructure at Tiva Secondary School, including a modern multipurpose hall and a borehole, signaling a broader vision of enhancing facilities while creating opportunities for youth empowerment. Church and school leaders hailed the partnership as a demonstration of how institutions can collaborate to deliver benefits that no single actor could achieve alone.
Officials believe the projects will have far-reaching impacts on Kitui’s socioeconomic landscape. The Utalii College campus is expected to create jobs and attract tourism-related investments, while the AIC hospital will serve thousands of residents, filling a critical gap in healthcare access. Governor Malombe expressed optimism that aligning education, healthcare, and economic opportunities will establish a sustainable foundation for growth, transforming Kitui from a peripheral county into a regional hub for skills development, healthcare, and economic prosperity. The next steps involve detailed planning and mobilization of resources to ensure timely implementation of both projects.