National Treasury allocates Sh3 billion for public budget forums in counties
The current Parliament has conducted hearings in 34 counties over the past two financial years, with 18 counties included in one year and 16 in another.
The National Treasury has allocated Sh3 billion for public participation in the country’s Sh4.3 trillion budget for the 2025-2026 financial year.
The hearings meant to gather citizens’ input on government spending will take place in 13 counties, with at least Sh230.7 million designated for each.
More To Read
This allocation follows concerns raised in Parliament over the management of public participation funds. Some MPs alleged vested interests within the House Budget and Appropriations Committee, questioning why certain counties were excluded despite a rotation policy.
Vihiga and Kakamega counties, initially slated for the hearings, have been left out under unclear circumstances. The parliamentary committee responsible for budget-making traditionally visits selected counties to collect public input.
The month-long public engagement begins once the printed budget estimates are tabled in the National Assembly. According to Article 221 (1) of the Constitution and Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act, these estimates must be submitted to Parliament by April 30 each year.
The current Parliament has conducted hearings in 34 counties over the past two financial years, with 18 counties included in one year and 16 in another.
In the last budget cycle, public hearings were held in counties such as Mombasa, Kilifi, Kiambu, Kisumu, Mandera and Nairobi.
The 13 counties left out in the 2024-2025 financial year, including Vihiga and Kakamega, were scheduled to be part of the 2025-2026 hearings.
The public participation, inspired by the US Pork Barrel model, aims to ensure equitable distribution of government funds.
However, allegations of misuse surfaced during a parliamentary debate on March 11, when Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Minority Leader Junet Mohamed accused former committee chairman Ndindi Nyoro of bias in fund allocation.
“Public participation in making the budget has been grossly abused,” Ichung’wah said.
Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba and Navakholo MP Emanuel Wangwe voiced concerns about Vihiga and Kakamega being excluded from the process.
“A guillotine was placed on public participation that disadvantaged Vihiga. Money was allocated for public participation, but it is not known where the additional money went,” Milemba said.
Top Stories Today
