Nairobi: The State Department for Economic Planning has expanded its public participation initiative, Gumzo la Uchumi Mashinani, to churches and mosques through a new ‘brethren to brethren’ engagement model aimed at strengthening grassroots involvement in economic planning. Speaking in Ruaraka on Wednesday, Principal Secretary for Economic Planning Dr. Bonface Makokha said the initiative is designed to take budget and economic planning discussions from boardrooms to communities, in line with the Constitution’s requirement for public participation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Makokha emphasized the importance of moving discussions from boardrooms to the grassroots level, ensuring that every Kenyan has an opportunity to participate meaningfully in the country’s economic planning and budget-making process. The department has already engaged youth, university student leaders, boda boda operators, business groups, and mama mboga across Kakamega, Kiambu, Busia, Kisumu, and Meru counties.
Dr. Makokha noted that inadequate access to information is a significant challenge, allowing misinformation to influence public perception of the budget process. He urged participants to submit their views through formal memoranda, emphasizing that meaningful public participation depends on documented public input that can inform government policy and budgeting.
He further highlighted that effective public participation is measured by the quality of feedback received, adding that numbers alone do not equate to meaningful participation. Involving faith leaders alongside boda boda operators is expected to enhance civic engagement and strengthen community policing through closer collaboration with local communities.
Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Asuma mentioned that working closely with faith leaders and community groups will not only enhance public participation but also strengthen community policing and collaboration at the grassroots.
