Baringo County is intensifying preparations for the upcoming April 2026 Annual Performance Assessment (APA) under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme II (KDSP II), further underscoring its commitment to transparent governance, effective public financial management, and accountable service delivery.
The assessment, which determines eligibility for Level II Development Grants, will be conducted by a team of independent experts known as Independent Verification Agents (IVAs). Counties are required to provide documented evidence of reforms and projects implemented, with strict grading that can either unlock or withhold critical development funding.
The Journey So Far
Baringo Countys path to this milestone has been marked by strategic reforms and institutional strengthening:
Formal Program Enrolment: The county signed the KDSP II Participation Agreement, committing to implement reforms and meet national standards for governance, planning, and accountability.
Institutional Readiness: Baringo established dedicated coordination teams across departments to oversee program implementation and ensure seamless alignment with KDSP II requirements.
Financial Transparency: The county has implemented program-based budgeting, published annual budgets and expenditure reports, and ensured public access to financial information, demonstrating a strong foundation in fiscal discipline.
Reform Implementation
Under KDSP II, Baringo has initiated reforms across the three Key Result Areas:
Sustainable Financing and Expenditure Management
Intergovernmental Coordination, Institutional Performance and Human Resource Management
Oversight, Participation and Accountability
Documentation and Evidence: Ahead of the assessment, the coordinator and the Key Result Area leads and respective teams are burning the midnight oil to ensure all necessary documentation including financial reports, policy guidelines, and project records have been collated to demonstrate compliance and readiness.
Looking Ahead
As Baringo County prepares to host the IVA team for a three-day verification visit, county officials are confident that their dedication to transparency, accountability, and development-oriented reforms will be recognized, positioning them to access Level II grants that will fund vital infrastructure and community projects.
Baringo County Governor H.E. Benjamin Cheboi has emphasized that this milestone is not only about securing funding but also about embedding a culture of performance and accountability that will benefit citizens for years to come.
"Reaching this stage of the KDSP II assessment underscores the hard work our teams have put into transforming how Baringo County delivers services," said Governor Cheboi. "It is not simply about unlocking funds; it is about creating a lasting culture where planning, transparency, and accountability guide every project. Our goal is for every citizen to see tangible results in their communities roads that connect, schools that serve, and services that improve lives and to trust that public resources are managed wisely for generations to come." The Governor says.
Baringo Countys journey reflects the broader vision of KDSP II: to strengthen counties across Kenya, making development projects visible, verifiable, and impactful.