Nairobi: Residents of Kirinyaga County gave a raft of proposals during a Public Participation forum on the 2026/2027 National Budget held in Kerugoya town. The hearing session, also attended by the Ol Jorok Member of Parliament (MP) Michael Muchira, attracted stakeholders including students and the business community, who submitted views on the proposed Sh 4.8 trillion national budget, with many calling for increased funding towards infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, and agriculture and market development.
According to Kenya News Agency, Muchira emphasized that the public participation exercise aimed to gather views from Kenyans across the country before the final budget report is prepared and tabled in Parliament in June. He highlighted the importance of listening to the citizens, noting that every proposal presented would be considered before the final report is submitted next month.
Muchira also addressed those unable to attend the physical forums, assuring them of the opportunity to submit their views via letters to the Clerk of the National Assembly or through email. He stressed the importance of investing in roads, youth empowerment programmes, and agriculture, especially rice farming, which is vital to many families in Kirinyaga County.
Laikipia women representative Jane Kagiri, present at the meeting, promised that the concerns raised by residents would be forwarded for consideration in the national budget planning process. Kagiri appreciated the active participation of residents in discussions affecting national development.
Member of Parliament for Kirinyaga Central Gachoki Gitari acknowledged the benefits the county has received from national government projects and vowed to continue lobbying for more development initiatives. He underlined the significance of unity among leaders to secure additional funding for infrastructure, education, and economic empowerment.
Brian Mudaki, a student from Kirinyaga University, appealed to the Budget and Appropriations Committee to address the need for a bridge along the Kutus-Sagana road at the Thiba River due to safety concerns for students. He also called for a police station near the area to enhance security.
Stanley Wangari, a resident, urged Parliament to increase funding for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for electoral preparedness and proposed automatic voter registration upon receiving a national identification card to boost voter turnout.
Businesswoman Kavura Kamau advocated for more funds to modernize Kerugoya Market to enhance trading conditions and suggested converting the former Mugwandi Secondary School into a Teachers’ Training Institution to support education in Kirinyaga Central.
