The County Department of Economic Planning has concluded a two-day public participation exercise held across eleven sub-counties.
County Chief Officer for Economic Planning Ekaale led the forums in Kakuma and Lokichoggio where members of the public gave their views on the proposed FY 2026/27 budget, amounting to KSh 16,586,167,301.
He stated that public participation plays a critical role in ensuring County Government’s development priorities reflect community needs. He added that the budget-making process enables citizens to influence resource mobilization, allocation, and accountable use of public funds.
The County Government has identified equitable share from the National Government, own-source revenue, and conditional grants as the main funding streams for the proposed budget.
For Suguta:
In Suguta, residents highlighted solarisation of schools across the sub-county asnthe major concern largely driven by insecurity affecting students in boarding institutions.
This is among other key priority areas for resource allocation such as infrastructure development, healthcare services, water access, education, youth and women empowerment, and need for budgetary allocation for fencing in Lomelo Village.
Titus Loching’ing from Kapedo Village Unit proposed a review of funds allocated for energy repairs and maintenance be redirected towards solarising schools without electricity, as well as solarising water pumps, to enhance safety and improve service delivery.
Residents of Turkana South and Aroo sub-counties urged the County Government to prioritise essential services in the upcoming budget.
Nelson Ekaran from Kalapata Ward cited dispensaries, Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, and access roads as key priorities, calling for faster implementation of projects within set timelines.
Health, water, food security, completion of dispensaries and ECDE centres dominated the discussions in Turkana East with residents calling for continued engagement.
Stephen Epapa from Lokori stressed they need accessible water for agricultural use so the community can be food secure.
Wananchi in Loima and Lokiriama sub-counties emphasised the need for increased investment in food security, describing it as a lifeline to livelihoods in the region. They also appealed for expansion of maternity services and improved supply of drugs in health facilities to address existing healthcare challenges.
The Loima residents also highlighted the expansion and solarization of irrigation schemes remain the most viable path to permanent food security. They also gave emphasis tto expansion of maternity wings in local dispensaries to bring essential maternal services closer.
Residents of Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties have called for increased investment in water development, expansion of health services, support for early childhood education, and improvements in fishing activities along Lake Turkana.
Participants emphasized that improved access to clean water and better health facilities would significantly boost community well-being. They noted that these sectors remain critical in addressing recurring challenges affecting livelihoods in the region.
