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.
Speaking during the meeting, Muchira said the public participation exercise was aimed at collecting views from Kenyans across the country before the final budget report is prepared and tabled in Parliament in June.
“We are here to listen to Kenyans because this budget belongs to Kenyans. Every proposal presented today will be considered before the final report is tabled in Parliament next month,” said Muchira.
Muchira further said members of the public who may fail to attend the physical forums will still have an opportunity to submit their views by writing letters to the Clerk of the National Assembly or through email at cna@parliament.go.ke.
“We want every Kenyan to have a chance to contribute to this budget. Those who may not attend the public participation meetings can still send their proposals through letters to the Clerk of the National Assembly or through email,” he added.
He noted that the government must continue investing in roads, youth empowerment programmes and agriculture, especially rice farming, which supports many families in Kirinyaga County.
Laikipia women representative Jane Kagiri, who attended the meeting, said the committee had carefully listened to all issues raised by residents and promised that their concerns would be forwarded for consideration in the national budget planning process.
“All views raised by Kenyans have been captured and we appreciate residents for actively participating in matters affecting national development,” she said.
Member of Parliament for Kirinyaga Central Gachoki Gitari said Kirinyaga County has continued benefiting from several national government projects, adding that leaders from the county would continue lobbying for more development projects.
Gitari said unity among leaders was important in ensuring the county secures more funding for infrastructure, education and economic empowerment programmes.
“We have seen Kirinyaga benefit from several projects and as leaders we will continue pushing for more resources to improve the lives of our people,” said Gitari.
Brian Mudaki, a student from Kirinyaga University, urged the Budget and Appropriations Committee to reconsider the construction of a bridge along the Kutus-Sagana road at the Thiba River, saying the area has become dangerous due to the high number of students crossing the busy section daily.
Mudaki said many students risk their lives while accessing the road and called for urgent intervention to prevent accidents.
He also appealed for the establishment of a police station near the area to improve security for students and residents.
Stanley Wangari, a resident, called on Parliament to increase funding allocated to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to strengthen electoral preparedness ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Wangari further proposed reforms to the voter registration system to allow automatic voter registration immediately after a citizen receives a national identification card.
“We should move to a system where once someone gets an ID card, they automatically become a voter. This will increase voter turnout and reduce challenges during registration,” he said.
Kavura Kamau, a businesswoman, urged the government to allocate more funds towards the modernisation of Kerugoya Market to improve trading conditions for traders and boost business activities in the town.
Kamau also requested the establishment of a teacher training college in Kirinyaga Central, proposing that the former Mugwandi Secondary School be converted into a Teachers’ Training Institution.
By David Wandeto
