Dr. Sitati Olando, Head Government Delivery Unit (GDU) giving his key note speech at the inaugural PMI Conference 2026 in Nairobi.

GDU boss calls for stronger project management to drive Kenya’s development agenda

By Reporter

The government has called for stronger project management and closer collaboration between political leaders and technical experts to accelerate the implementation of development projects and deliver meaningful impact to wananchi.

Speaking during the Government and Public Sector Project Management Conference 2026 in Nairobi on Thursday, Head of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU) Dr Sitati Olando said Kenya’s development ambitions would only be realised through disciplined execution of public projects.

Dr Olando said the country must move beyond policy formulation and focus on ensuring that government programmes translate into measurable improvements in the lives of citizens.“Policy is the promise. Impact is the proof. The bridge between them is not rhetoric, but rigorous, disciplined and accountable project management,” he said during the conference organised by the Kenya chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI) at Prestige Plaza in Nairobi.

Dr. Sitati Olando receiving a gift from Maureen Ochang PMI President Kenya Chapter during the conference.

He said the government’s development agenda is anchored on Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), whose pillars include agriculture, affordable housing, healthcare, digital transformation and support for small businesses.According to Dr Olando, effective project delivery remains central to achieving the country’s socio-economic goals, warning that poor planning and political interference often derail implementation.“The path from policy to impact is littered with the debris of poor planning, weak execution and unfinished projects,” he said.

He cited stalled infrastructure projects that have been revived under government interventions, including the Galana Kulalu irrigation project, Siyoi-Muruny Dam in West Pokot, Thwake Dam in Makueni and Kitui, and Mwache Dam in Kwale.Dr Olando said the projects are expected to enhance food security, improve water access and stimulate economic growth in underserved regions.

He also highlighted progress in energy and transport infrastructure, including the commissioning of the 400/220kV Mariakani Power Substation, expansion of road networks and connectivity projects in northern Kenya.

The Government Delivery Unit (GDU) Team joined other Government MDAs, agencies, and Project Management Institute (PMI) members at the inaugural PMI Conference 2026 held in Nairobi.

As a key resolution of the conference, the joint team unanimously committed to mobilizing professionals across both the Public and Private sectors to transform “Policy to Impact” through accountable, efficient, and citizen-centered project delivery.

Among major successes, he singled out the operationalisation of the East African Kidney Institute, saying the facility would significantly reduce the cost of kidney transplants and improve access to specialised healthcare.

The GDU head further noted that social protection programmes such as the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Inua Jamii had played a critical role in cushioning vulnerable households.He revealed that more than 29 million Kenyans had registered under SHA by early 2026, while Inua Jamii disbursed Sh2.4 billion in April to support over 1.2 million vulnerable citizens.

At the same time, Dr Olando challenged project managers to focus on delivery outcomes rather than bureaucratic procedures, urging them to embrace innovation and proactive problem-solving.He said tensions between politics and project management must be managed through regular engagement and transparent communication between leaders and technical teams.“Politics demands quick results while project management demands realistic timelines.

The solution is to bring political leaders into the project management conversation early,” he said.Dr Olando also urged county governments, development partners and private investors to align their efforts with national priorities and strengthen public-private partnerships to accelerate infrastructure development.

He called for greater use of digital platforms to enhance transparency and accountability in government service delivery, pointing to the e-Citizen platform and digital procurement systems as examples of progress.

As Kenya seeks to close the gap between policy and implementation, Dr Olando said public servants and project managers have a duty to ensure taxpayers receive value for money.“We have a country to build. We have a generation to empower. We have a promise to keep,” he said.