KIAMBU MCAS PASS ECDE, AGRO ECOLOGY BILLS AS COUNTY BUDGET GOES FOR SCRUTINY

KIAMBU. COUNTYY ASSEMBLY/ 22/05/2026

Members of the Kiambu County Assembly (MCAs) have passed two key bills — one aimed at strengthening early childhood education and another promoting sustainable agriculture — while also tabling the County Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year for further scrutiny.

The Assembly approved the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Bill 2025 and the Agro Ecology Bill 2025 during today’s sitting, marking a significant step in the County’s efforts to improve service delivery and strengthen governance frameworks.

The ECDE Bill 2025, sponsored by Hon. Wanjiru Francis Koina (MCA, Kiambu Township Ward) and moved by Hon. Lawrence Mwaura (MCA, Ting’ang’a Ward), seeks to establish a legal framework for the regulation, management and development of ECDE services across the County.

The proposed law aims to enhance access to quality early childhood education through the recruitment of qualified teachers, protection of children’s rights, fair capitation and the establishment of standards for both public and private ECDE centres.

At the same sitting, MCAs approved the Agro Ecology Bill 2025 after adopting amendments proposed by Hon. Cedric Gachunga Thuo.

The Bill had earlier been referred to the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, which conducted public participation before recommending it for adoption by the House.

The Committee is chaired by Hon. Naphtaly Munyaka, while Hon. Gachunga and Hon. Jane Thogori serve as vice chairpersons. The law aims to advance sustainable agricultural practices and enhance environmental conservation initiatives across the County.

In another key legislation, Majority Party Leader Hon. Godfrey Mucheke Waiyaki (MCA, Kalimoni Ward) tabled the County Budget, which was subsequently forwarded to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) for scrutiny and assessment before further deliberations by the House. The committee is chaired by Hon. Josphine Nduta Muongi (MCA, Limuru Central Ward).

During debate on the ECDE Bill, Members emphasized the need for proper planning and implementation to ensure equitable access to quality learning for all children across the County.

Hon. Mwaura noted that once assented to by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, the Bill would enable the County to operate under its own legal framework instead of relying on national government guidelines.

“We have achieved greatly on ECDEs so far. We identified that the County uses the framework from the National Government which at times is not in sync with the intended County Government,” said Hon. Mwaura.

He added that the proposed law adequately addresses critical issues including feeding programmes, teacher employment and capitation.

Hon. Hezron Gachui (MCA, Riabai Ward) said the Bill complements the ongoing facelift and infrastructure development projects being undertaken by the County Government.

MCAs also raised concerns over security in ECDE centres, saying the burden of ensuring children’s safety has largely fallen on parents. Members called for increased budgetary allocation to address the challenge.

“The burden of security in these ECDEs is an issue to the parents and we should find a way to allocate more funds to each ECDE,” said Hon. Peter Wainaina (MCA, Karuri Ward).

Members further urged the County Government to ensure that land hosting government-owned ECDE centres is properly secured under County ownership to avoid conflicts with other stakeholders, including neighbouring primary schools.

Hon. Koina thanked Members and the relevant committee for supporting the Bill, noting that the County had for years operated without a proper legal structure governing ECDE services.

He assured the House that concerns touching on teachers, capitation and security had been comprehensively addressed in the proposal before it was tabled.

Meanwhile, the Speaker urged Members to fast-track other pending bills and actively participate in the ongoing budget-making process for the 2026/2027 financial year through their respective committees.

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