Bungoma Honoured for Excellence in Public Participation

Bungoma County has been recognized nationally for its outstanding commitment to involving residents in budget-making and development planning.

The recognition came during an awards ceremony held at a Nairobi hotel, where Governor Kenneth Lusaka received the award on behalf of the county after Bungoma scored an impressive 96 percent in public participation feedback, according to the County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS) 2024 released by Bajeti Hub.

The report praised Bungoma’s County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) for effectively capturing and incorporating residents’ views into the county’s budgeting process.

Unlike many counties that struggled to show how public views influenced their budgets, Bungoma was commended for using a clear and structured system to identify priority projects from every sub-county.

Receiving the award, Governor Lusaka said the recognition reflects his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance.

“Development can only be meaningful when it reflects the priorities and aspirations of the people. We have deliberately strengthened public participation because wananchi know the challenges they face and the solutions they need,” said Lusaka.

The survey noted that Bungoma carefully analyzed public submissions, ranked community priorities, and used the findings to guide funding decisions for key projects.

Lusaka said public participation remains a cornerstone of his administration, adding that residents will continue to play a central role in shaping the county’s development agenda.

“This award belongs to the people of Bungoma. Their active involvement in governance has enabled us to make informed decisions and invest in projects that have a direct impact on their lives,” he added.

While Kenya’s average county budget transparency score improved significantly, the report observed that many counties still fail to disclose important budget information and often treat public participation as a mere formality.

Experts cited Bungoma’s approach as a model that other counties can emulate to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust in government institutions.