
The Kitui County Systems Think Tank (CSTT) on Public Participation successfully held its inaugural formation meeting at the Kitui Municipality Boardroom on 17th June 2026.
The meeting was convened by NEC HUB Kitui County Budget Facilitator, Faith Kiema, with support from Bajeti Hub. The forum brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from the Kitui County Government, civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, youth groups, persons with disabilities networks, budget champions, and legal practitioners.
The formation of the CSTT marks a significant milestone in strengthening meaningful citizen engagement and institutionalizing inclusive public participation within Kitui County.
A dynamic two-day engagement successfully brought together Kitui County Budget Facilitators and Makueni Budget Champions, in partnership with Nascent Prospects and Initiative For Inclusive Empowerment.
The focus was on empowering a crucial cohort of women Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) with essential knowledge on two critical, modern challenges:-
- Addressing the psychological resilience required for sustained advocacy work
- Navigating the digital world, with in-depth discussions on the implications and safeguards under Kenya’s Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
This convergence highlights the future of civic oversight, where fiscal accountability is seamlessly integrated with human rights protection and digital security.
UNDERSTANDING THE CFSP
Citizen Engagement in Budget Estimates
Nairobi Eastern Central Regional Budget Hub – NEC Hub‘s dedicated Budget Facilitator, Faith Kiema alongside Kitui County’s formidable Budget Champions, John Kilonzo and Kennedy Mutisya, recently attended crucial public consultative forums on Kitui County’s Programme-Based Budget (PBB) Estimates for the Financial Year 2025/26.
Responding proactively to the Kitui County Budget Department’s call for public participation, this dynamic team meticulously unbundled the draft PBB. Their rigorous analysis culminated in the drafting of a comprehensive memorandum, which was formally presented during the physical forums held on April 15th, 2025.
Key Highlights of their impactful submission
- The memorandum underscored the unwavering commitment of Kitui County’s civil society organizations to ensuring strict adherence to the Public Finance Management Act and its associated regulations, emphasizing the County Executive’s paramount responsibility for budget transparency.
- Critical points were raised regarding the limited accessibility of the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), a significant barrier to informed citizen participation. The absence of robust feedback mechanisms was also highlighted as a detriment to the value and impact of public input.
- The submission compellingly argued that current practices risk undermining the fundamental principles of good governance by restricting vital citizen oversight. This limitation could potentially lead to budgetary allocations that fail to accurately reflect the genuine needs and priorities of the Kitui populace.
This powerful initiative exemplifies the crucial role of civil society in fostering fiscal transparency and ensuring meaningful citizen engagement in governance. Their dedication paves the way for a more inclusive and responsive budgetary process in Kitui County.
Budget Champions
Faith Kiema
Budget facilitator-Kitui County
- Email:faithkiema1@gmail.com
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