Kwale Residents Demand Inclusion of Their Priorities in 2027/28 County Budget

Residents from Kwale’s 77 village units have called on the county government to prioritize their development needs in the upcoming 2027/28 budget cycle. As budget discussions commence, community members emphasized the importance of their active participation in shaping and monitoring county projects.

The validation meeting held in Matuga brought together local residents, including persons with disabilities, to review proposed projects for the next financial year. County Chief Officer for Finance, Alex Onduko, representing Governor Fatuma Achani, stressed that public involvement should extend beyond proposal submission to include monitoring implementation.

Key points from the meeting included:

• Residents are urged to verify that their development priorities are reflected in the final County Annual Development Plan.
• They should actively track project progress after budget allocation to ensure accountability.
• Public participation meetings led by Members of the County Assembly remain crucial for approving development initiatives.
• The county administration commits to not proceed with projects without incorporating residents’ input.

Patrick Yasisi, chairman of the Kwale County Budget and Economic Forum, highlighted that involving residents in both proposing and reviewing projects ensures that development efforts address genuine community needs.

This validation exercise is part of the preparatory process for the 2027/28 County Annual Development Plan, which integrates community feedback into the county’s budgeting framework.