𝑰𝒕𝒆𝒏, 𝑬𝒍𝒈𝒆𝒚𝒐 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒘𝒆𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒚, 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 29, 2024 –The Rift Valley Budget Hub (RVBH), hosted by the CEDGG – Nakuru, successfully concluded a two-day Refresher Training for Budget Champions aimed at strengthening civic participation in the budget process. The training, held on November 28–29, 2024, brought together dedicated Budget Champions and Budget Facilitators under the leadership of CEDGG and the RVBH.

The refresher training focused on equipping Budget Champions with updated knowledge of the budget process, advocacy strategies, and skills for engaging effectively in budget formulation and implementation. With a special focus on water, health, and social protection sectors, participants delved into practical tools to monitor and influence budget decisions at the county level.

In our analysis of Elgeyo Marakwet budget performance criteria issue emerged that the champions committed to follow up. Key among these include: timely disbursement of equitable share by National Treasury; improvement in own source revenue from the current 278 M to over 400 M based on established potential; rationalization and transparency in personnel costs to bring the wage bill to the legal threshold of 35% of the annual revenue; and budget absorption in the social sectors for improved service delivery.

The Budget champions worked closely with facilitators to develop a refreshed county-level action plan. This plan aligns with the community’s priority needs in critical sectors like 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, setting the stage for improved service delivery and meaningful citizen engagement in decision-making processes.

As the training wraps up, Elgeyo Marakwet County is poised to witness more robust civic engagement and improved service delivery across critical sectors. Together, we continue to build a future where every budget decision counts toward the well-being of citizens. Uraia Trust #HakiNaUongoziBora