Gumzo La Uchumi Mashinani Western Region Religious Leaders Chapter

GUMZO LA UCHUMI MASHINANI WESTERN REGION RELIGIOUS LEADERS CHAPTER

The State Department for Economic Planning today Thursday, 3rd September, 2026 convened the Grassroots Economic Dialogue initiative, dubbed ‘Gumzo la Uchumi Mashinani’ at Bukhungu Stadium, Kakamega County.

The forum themed; ‘Empowering Our Community Through Unity, Education, Economic Growth and Social Responsibility’ brought together Muslim Religious Leaders from the Western Region.

While addressing the congregation, the Economic Planning Principal Secretary Dr. Bonface Makokha underscored that Gumzo la Uchumi Mashinani is a platform for taking economic dialogue directly to the grassroots level while considering beyond Vision 2030 agenda.

PS Makokha accentuated three main objectives of the initiative which include: Share achievements under Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) within specific Localities; Listen to the voices of ‘Mwananchi’; Build a network of trusted and capacitated Leaders and Ambassadors.

Besides engaging the gathering on key development priorities, including Affordable Housing in Kakamega County, the PS officially launched the Western Muslim Council (WEMUCO) SACCO SOCIETY.

During the program, the Muslim Religious Leaders engaged on ways of strengthening Citizen participation in assessing the implementation and progress of BETA Pillars at the grassroots level.

In his speech, the State Department for National Government Coordination Principal Secretary, Hon. Ahmed Abdisalan emphasized that the Government through Gumzo la Uchumi Mashinani initiative, is making deliberate efforts to create space for meaningful accountability in matters relating to the National economy.

Conclusively, the forum underscored the important role of Muslim Religious Leaders in mobilising communities, fostering dialogue and supporting inclusive participation in the Country’s development agenda.

In attendance were: The Kakamega County Governor, Hon. FCPA Fernandes Barasa; Western Regional Commissioner, Allan Macharia; National Chairman, Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), Abdallah Ateka; Secretaries Economic Planning and Western Muslim Religious Leaders among others.