By Betty Luke
More than 20 budget champions in Isiolo have been trained on key budget issues in bid to ensure they are adequately equipped to demand accountability from the duty bearers.
The trainees, drawn from different social groups, including women, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and youth were trained on the budget cycle, sector allocations and advocacy in holding duty bearers accountable.
The initiative, funded by Bajeti Hub formerly International Budget Partnership, seeks to strengthen public accountability by ensuring communities actively participate in the budget process.
“The training has equipped us with knowledge that we will share with our fellow community members so we can together keep our leaders on toes. We will no longer watch as tax payers money is misused,” youth representative Sarah Ogeto said.
According to Ms Ogeto, knowledge gained was key in ensuring they meaningfully participate in forums that seek public opinion on priority projects.
“We used to attend public participations forums just for the sake of it but the training has opened up our minds on meaningful participation through sharing our thoughts,” she added.
Another beneficiary, Ali Abdi, noted that he was well versed on how to analyze reports by the Controller of Budget to ascertain that the leaders were using public funds as expected.
“I’m now enlightened on different means of accessing information on the ongoing projects and this will be key in ensuring projects fronted by the residents are prioritized and funds set aside are properly utilized,” he said.
County Budget Facilitator Valentine Nyaguthi said there was need for more similar initiatives as they would go a long way in bridging the knowledge gaps in the budget making process.
According to Ms Nyaguthi, lack of access to information had left many residents in the pastoral counties watching helplessly as leaders continue mishandling public funds causing untold suffering to the Mwananchi.
“When citizens are well equipped, they are able to push for their rights unlike when they have no idea of their leaders mandate,” she told The Press Point after the three days forum held in Isiolo town.
The official called on the champions to share knowledge gained with other residents noting that advocacy on accountability was a collective responsible of all citizens.
“We have agreed to collectively analyze and ask questions regarding the Health Sector as it is one for the areas that has a huge allocation but minimal output. This will be achieved through a collective approach,” she said.
This comes amid a crisis at the Isiolo Referral Hospital where services have been put on hold for over a week due to an ongoing strike by the healthcare workers who have accused the Isiolo County Government of among others delayed payment of salaries, lack of a comprehensive medical insurance cover and failure to remit their statutory deductions.
The facility is also experiencing a myriad of challenges including drug shortage, a non-functional mortuary, and inadequate human resources among others.
The situation has left hundreds of poor residents unable to afford healthcare services and calling on Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo to intervene and resolve the matter.
This is despite the Health sector receiving an elephant share of 2024/2025 county’s allocation of 1.63billion
