By Okong’o Oduya
Busia County, Kenya: Busia Governor Dr. Paul Nyongesa Otuoma recently launched Busia County Budget Economic Forum (CBEF). The forum aims to champion issues of economic development in the County.
The forum comprising experts in various professions and other eminent persons including the former Busia senator Mr. Amos Wako, former Finance Minister Mr. Chris Okemo, and businessman Mr. Denis Awori, will help to shape the agenda of economic development in the County.
While addressing members of the forum at Busia Agricultural Training Center grounds, Governor Otuoma noted that the forum is a constitutional provision under the Public Finance and Management act of 2012, and will be responsible for enabling the county government to consult broadly on many aspects of public policy, planning, and financial management.
“As a government, we will be expecting to consult with you as well as getting wise counsel from you and answers to some of the questions we get when attending forums either at the National, regional, or county level,” he said.
This comes at a time when the County Government is in the initial stages of the budgeting process and preparation of the third generation of the County Integrated Development Plan (County Budget Economic Forum) documents that will need the forum’s guidance.
According to Otuoma Busia county is among the top counties in the country that reported the high number of children who are not growing both physically and mentally an issue he says it could have been addressed at the inception of devolution.
“As I speak we have the highest rate in the country of stunted growth and malnutrition among children in the county. Our children are not just growing physically, but also mentally standing at 22 percent. Over 20 percent of our population is already disadvantaged and dependent before even they become adults. That means as you sit here, you need to find a way to help us in reversing some of these issues,” he noted.
On the 23/24 financial year budget-making process the governor noted that the county is winding up the supplementary budget but urged the forum to find time and go through it and have their input factored in.
“We hope that your input is going to help us to see where we have shortcomings and what we are required to do,” he said
The former Busia senator Amos Wako acknowledged that the forum will provide a platform for them to share their experiences and knowledge in matters of finances and economic development generally.
“The county Government cannot deliver without finances and what it is getting from the National government is so little and thus the need for this forum to bridge the gap” he noted.
The former finance minister and former Nambale Member of Parliament Mr. Chris Okemo who is also an expert in matters of finance and economics, noted that their role in the forum is advisory adding that he is hopeful their thoughts will be accepted to steer development in the county.
Mr. Denis Awori a business mogul emphasized the need for public participation in any decision being made by the government noting that Busia County is a sleeping giant in terms of economy and that it is high time it is unlocked.
