The County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) is one of the most important documents shaping the future of counties in Kenya. Yet, many citizens are unaware of what it contains or how it affects their daily lives. This article explains the CIDP in simple terms, breaking down its purpose, content, and why it matters to you.

What is a County Integrated Development Plan?

A County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) is a five-year blueprint that guides development and resource allocation in each of Kenya’s 47 counties. It outlines the projects, programmes, and policies that a county government intends to implement over a five-year period .

The CIDP serves as the master plan that integrates all other county plans, including sector plans, spatial plans, and urban plans. Think of it as a comprehensive roadmap that shows where the county is heading and how it plans to get there .

The Legal Foundation

The CIDP is not just a policy document—it is a legal requirement. Several laws mandate its preparation:

 This means the CIDP is legally binding and forms the foundation for all county spending.

“It is based on these legal provisions that we have prepared the third-generation CIDP that will guide the allocation of resources to priority programmes and projects.” – Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, Kajiado County .

When is the CIDP Prepared?

The CIDP follows the political calendar. It is typically prepared immediately after a general election, when a new county government takes office. The plan covers the subsequent five-year period, aligning with the term of the governor and county assembly.

For example, following the August 2022 general elections, counties developed their third-generation CIDPs for the period 2023-2027 .

How is the CIDP Developed?

The process of creating a CIDP is highly participatory. It involves multiple stages and stakeholders to ensure the plan reflects the needs and aspirations of county residents.

1. Review of Previous Plan

The process begins by reviewing the achievements and challenges of the previous CIDP. This helps identify what worked well and what needs improvement.

2. Public Participation and Consultations

This is the most critical stage. County governments are required to conduct widespread consultations with citizens, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders. These consultations take the form of public forums, meetings, and surveys.

In a notable example, Homa Bay County deliberately involved children in the preparation of its CIDP 2023-2027. The Homa Bay County Children Assembly presented a memorandum to the governor, highlighting issues such as:

• Improved access to clean and safe water

• Establishment of school feeding programmes

• Adequate classrooms

• Measures to protect children with disabilities

• Action against child neglect, labour, and violence

Governor Gladys Wanga affirmed this commitment, stating: “We have made a deliberate decision to involve children in all public decision-making processes in Homa Bay County, including public planning meetings during the budgeting process”.

3. Technical Drafting

After collecting public input, technical experts from various county departments work together to draft the plan. These departments include health, trade, education, water, agriculture, infrastructure, and social services.

4. Stakeholder Validation

The draft plan is shared with stakeholders for validation, ensuring that their input has been accurately captured and incorporated.

5. Executive Approval

The final draft is presented to the County Executive Committee for approval.

6. County Assembly Approval

The approved draft is then submitted to the County Assembly for scrutiny and adoption. The assembly ensures the plan meets legal requirements and reflects the interests of residents.

7. Launch and Roll-out

Once approved, the CIDP is officially launched and made available to the public. Implementation begins, guided by Annual Development Plans (ADPs) that break down the five-year plan into yearly budgets.

Key Content of a CIDP

A comprehensive CIDP typically contains the following elements:

Thematic Areas

CIDPs are usually organised around sectors. The Makueni County CIDP 2023-2027, for instance, is implemented through eight sectors:

1. Water, Sanitation, Environment and Natural Resources

2. Agriculture and Rural Development

3. Transport, Infrastructure, Energy and ICT

4. Health Services

5. Social Protection, Education and Recreation

6. General Economic and Commercial Affairs

7. Lands and Urban Development

8. Devolution

Alignment with National and Global Agendas

A crucial feature of the CIDP is its alignment with broader development frameworks. It does not exist in isolation but connects local priorities to national and international commitments.

National Frameworks

• Kenya Vision 2030 – The country’s long-term development blueprint

• Medium-Term Plans (MTPs) – The five-year implementing plans for Vision 2030

• Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) – The government’s current development model

International Commitments

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – The global goals for ending poverty and protecting the planet

• Africa’s Agenda 2063 – The continent’s strategic framework for inclusive and sustainable development

• Paris Agreement on Climate Change – The global accord to combat climate change

• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction – The international framework for reducing disaster risks.

This alignment ensures that county-level actions contribute to national and global progress while addressing local needs.

From CIDP to Action: The Planning Hierarchy

The CIDP sits at the top of a hierarchy of county plans that guide annual budgeting and implementation:

1. County Integrated Development Plan (5 years) – The overarching strategic plan

2. Annual Development Plan (ADP) – Breaks down the CIDP into yearly priorities and forms the basis for the budget

3. County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) – Sets out the fiscal priorities and resource envelope for the coming year

4. Programme-Based Budget – Allocates funds to specific programmes and projects

5. Budget Review and Outlook Paper (BROP) – Reviews budget performance and updates fiscal forecasts

The Nairobi City County ADP 2025/2026, for example, implements the third year of the CIDP 2023-2027 and focuses on sectors with potential to transform lives and empower residents.

Why the CIDP Matters to Citizens

Understanding the CIDP is not just for government officials—it matters to every citizen. Here’s why:

1. It Sets Development Priorities

The CIDP determines which projects get funded and implemented. It decides whether your ward gets a new road, a health centre, or water infrastructure.

2. It is a Tool for Accountability

Citizens can use the CIDP to hold their leaders accountable. If a project is in the CIDP but not implemented, residents can demand answers. Conversely, if a project is not in the CIDP, citizens can question why funds are being spent on it.

3. It Guides Resource Allocation

The CIDP includes cost estimates and funding sources. It shows how much money the county needs and where it expects that money to come from, including allocations from the national government and development partners.

4. It Provides a Basis for Participation

5. It Coordinates Development Efforts

By integrating various plans, the CIDP ensures that different sectors work together coherently. For example, building a market (trade sector) goes hand-in-hand with constructing access roads (infrastructure sector) and providing water and sanitation (water sector).

Challenges in CIDP Implementation

Despite its importance, CIDP implementation faces several challenges:

• Inadequate Funding: Many counties face resource gaps. For instance, Kajiado County’s CIDP 2023-2027 requires Ksh. 133.6 billion, but projected revenue is only Ksh. 64.5 billion, leaving a resource gap of Ksh. 71.4 billion.

• Delayed Disbursements: The national treasury sometimes fails to adhere to approved cash disbursement schedules, hindering project implementation.

• Pending Bills: Accumulated debts to suppliers can disrupt service delivery and demotivate contractors.

• External Shocks: Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and prolonged drought can derail planned programmes and affect revenue collection.

Recent Developments in County Planning

County planning continues to evolve. Beyond the five-year CIDP, counties are developing more specific plans to guide urban development.

Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plans (ISUDPs)

In February 2026, Nakuru County began preparing a 20-year Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan (2025-2045) for Gilgil Municipality. The plan, developed with input from over 200 residents, aims to:

• Promote improved urban mobility

• Develop a comprehensive physical land use framework

• Enhance environmental conservation

• Strengthen natural resource management

• Unlock economic potential in tourism and investment

The plan also comes with funding commitments, with the municipality set to receive over Ksh 40 million equitably distributed across its three wards to support priority projects.

This demonstrates how the CIDP framework connects with more detailed, long-term planning for specific urban areas.

Conclusion

The County Integrated Development Plan is far more than a bureaucratic document—it is the contract between county governments and their citizens. It translates the hopes and needs of communities into concrete plans with assigned budgets and timelines.

For citizens, understanding the CIDP is the first step toward meaningful engagement with county governance.

Residents who participate in developing and monitoring the CIDP ensure their county uses resources effectively to improve lives.

As counties embark on their third generation of CIDPs (2023-2027), they continue to focus on building resilient economies, promoting sustainable development, and leaving no one behind.

The success of these plans depends not only on county governments but also on an informed and active citizenry that holds its leaders accountable.

“The CIDP will guide the county executive in the formation of its annual development plans, spatial plans, fiscal paper, budgets and laws meant to facilitate the realisation of the county objectives of transforming [the county] in a sustainable way.” – Kajiado County Government