Kiambu MCAs Pass ECDE, Agro Ecology Bills as County Budget Faces Scrutiny

The Kiambu County Assembly has passed two major bills aimed at improving early childhood education and promoting sustainable agriculture, even as the County Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year was tabled for scrutiny.

During Thursday’s sitting, Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) approved the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Bill 2025 and the Agro Ecology Bill 2025, marking a significant legislative milestone for the county government.

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

The proposed law aims to improve 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.

Speaking during debate on the Bill, Hon. Mwaura said the legislation would enable the county government 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,” he said.

He added that the Bill adequately addresses critical issues such as feeding programmes, teacher employment and capitation.

Riabai Ward MCA Hon. Hezron Gachui said the Bill complements the ongoing facelift and infrastructure development projects being undertaken by the county government in ECDE centres.

MCAs also raised concerns over security in ECDE institutions, noting that the burden of ensuring children’s safety has largely been left to parents.

“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 Karuri Ward MCA Hon. Peter Wainaina.

Members further urged the county government to secure ownership documents for land hosting public ECDE centres to prevent disputes with neighbouring institutions and other stakeholders.

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

She assured the Assembly that concerns touching on teachers, capitation and security had been comprehensively addressed in the proposed law.

At the same sitting, MCAs also 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, with Hon. Gachunga and Hon. Jane Thogori serving as vice chairpersons.

The legislation seeks to promote sustainable agricultural practices and strengthen environmental conservation initiatives across Kiambu County.

Meanwhile, Majority Party Leader Hon. Godfrey Mucheke Waiyaki, the MCA for Kalimoni Ward, tabled the County Budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The budget was subsequently forwarded to the Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), chaired by Limuru Central Ward MCA Hon. Josphine Nduta Muongi, for scrutiny and assessment before further deliberations by the House.

The Speaker also urged Members to fast-track pending bills and actively participate in the ongoing budget-making process through their respective committees.