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.
“We want to move these discussions from the boardrooms to the grassroots so that every Kenyan has an opportunity to participate meaningfully in the country’s economic planning and budget-making process,” he said.
Dr. Makokha said 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.
He noted that inadequate access to information remains one of the biggest challenges, allowing misinformation to influence public perception of the budget process.
The Principal Secretary 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.
Makhoha said effective public participation is measured by the quality of feedback received, adding that numbers alone do not amount to public participation.
Nairobi North County Commissioner Simon Asuma said involving faith leaders alongside boda boda operators will not only enhance civic engagement but also strengthen community policing through closer collaboration with local communities.
“Working closely with faith leaders and community groups will not only enhance public participation but also strengthen community policing and collaboration at the grassroots.” noted Asuma.
By Wangari Ndirangu
