Residents Demand more Education on Budget, Public Finances

Nakuru

Tuesday October 24, 2023

KNA by Anne Sabuni

Nakuru County residents have called for more civic education on Public Financial Management (PFM) laws, to help them participate in discussions on the law from a point of knowledge.

The residents say lack of knowledge on the budget making process and the PFM Act, had hampered their participation and meaningful contribution to discussions around the critical sector.

The calls come even as the National Treasury called for submissions on tax proposals, that will enhance the revenue collection for economic recovery.

“Being able to understand the budget making progress and being able to understand the role you play during the public participation in your area of residence is key and we need more such educative programmes,” noted Damaris Kamau.

Kamau, who took part in a public participation forum convened by the Office of the Controller of Budget (CoB), noted that lack of information on public finance and the role the public played at various stages of the budget making process was an impediment, calling for more such forums.

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, who graced the forum, called on the CoB to also prioritize the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) component in its quarterly reports.

“It is prudent to include the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) in the annual report by the Controller of Budget as counties need to disclose how their funds are spent,” added Kones.

Kones called for reclassification of bursary funds under the development component of the budget, arguing that the funds had a significant impact on the community.

The CoB has on several occasions highlighted the delayed absorption of development funds by the Nakuru County, regretting that the delays opened room for misappropriation and corruption.

The office of Controller of Budget, in its recent Implementation Review Report, emphasized the need for the county leadership to create strategies that will enhance absorption of development funds, noting that this will boost the living standards of Nakuru residents.

Elsewhere, National Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu has called on Kenyans to give their input on the 2023/2024 fiscal budget, to specifically enhance revenue collection.

“The submissions should be specific on the tax legislations and sections to be amended, the objective to be achieved by the proposed amendment, and reinforced by a statement on the policy issue to be addressed,” read in part, a notice to the public in the local dailies.

The CS noted that the proposals were geared towards enhancing revenue collection and implementation of the Government’s Development agenda.

Courtesy; KNA