Residents of Kiambu County have demanded that the government complete all pending road projects before embarking on new ones.
Presenting their wish list to National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee during a public hearing for the 2024-25 national budget.
They emphasised the importance of finishing ongoing infrastructure work to avoid waste and ensure continuity.
Led by their elected leaders, they further called for the prompt clearance of pending bills owed to contractors.
“We believe this step is essential for maintaining trust and fostering future development partnerships,” a resident told the committee led by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.
Kiambaa MP and committee member John Njunguna Wanjiku led the delegation from Kiambu. Other notable figures included MPs John Machua (Kiambu town), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri) and Alice Ng'ang'a (Thika Town).
The exercise is held to ensure that citizens' voices are integral to the budgeting process.
Article 221(5) of the Constitution guides the Budget and Appropriations Committee to actively seek representations from the public, ensuring their input is considered in the recommendations made to the National Assembly.
The public participation exercise in Kiambu is part of a broader initiative encompassing 20 counties, including Mombasa, Kilifi, Machakos, Taita Taveta, Muranga, Nakuru, Baringo, Kericho, Narok, Kisumu, Nyamira, Kakamega, Vihiga, Meru, Isiolo, Mandera, Homa Bay, Turkana, and Nairobi.
The engagement aims to gather various perspectives to shape the 2024-25 national budget, estimated at Sh3.9 trillion.
In their submissions, Kiambu residents further urged the committee to ensure that water resources in the county currently benefiting Nairobi households also reach them.
The call highlighted the ongoing water distribution challenges and the need for equitable resource allocation.
The residents also demanded the expansion of the last-mile rural electrification programme.
This initiative aims to provide electricity to remote areas, improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for rural communities.
Residents requested increased allocations for programmes like the Uwezo Fund and Youth Fund, which provide vital financial support and opportunities for young people to start businesses and gain employment.
Farmers also voiced their needs, advocating for better support through initiatives like the tea, coffee, milk, and macadamia programs. Specifically, they called for enhancements to the Coffee Cherry Fund to help them maximise their farming potential and boost their incomes.
