Lodwar, May 16, 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

The County Government of Turkana, through the Department of Finance and Economic Planning, on Friday hosted 45 students from Songot Secondary School for an educational tour aimed at deepening their understanding of public finance and governance systems.

The learners, drawn from the school’s History class, were taken through critical components of Kenya’s public finance structure, including sources of revenue, government expenditure, and the role of the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

County Director of Budget, Nicholas Mayo, facilitated the session, delivering an in-depth presentation on the county budgeting process.

He walked the students through all stages of the budgeting cycle from planning and formulation to approval, implementation, and oversight emphasizing the importance of transparency, public participation, and fiscal accountability.

“Understanding how public funds are raised and spent is essential for young citizens who will soon be the drivers of our economy,” said Mayo.

He outlined key revenue sources such as local taxes, grants, and equitable share allocations from the national government, noting that these funds support core services including health, education, and infrastructure development.

“When you come in for such learning tours, we take the opportunity to demystify budget processes and empower the you to understand financial governance and the need for accountability.” Mayo told the learners.

A detailed question and answer session allowed the students to relate classroom theory to actual government practices.

The educational tour is part of the county’s broader civic education strategy aimed at promoting youth engagement in governance and nurturing the next generation of leaders.