Kitui County Residents Shape 2025/2026 Finance Bill Through Public Participation Forums
The County Government of Kitui, through its Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Revenue Management, on Friday September 12, held a successful public participation forum on the proposed 2025/2026 Finance Bill. The exercise, conducted at the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) Grounds in Kitui Township Ward, Kitui Central, was in line with the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and Article 201 of the Constitution of Kenya, underscoring the county’s commitment to transparency and citizen involvement in financial decision-making.
The forum brought together hundreds of residents from Kitui Central Constituency, who shared their views on the proposed Finance Bill. Similar parallel sessions were also held in the other 7 constituencies of Kitui County, giving citizens a platform to influence financial priorities and policies.
Speaking during the Kitui Central forum, Chief Officer for Finance, Revenue Management and Accounting, CPA John Makau Kimwele, highlighted significant progress in local revenue collection. He revealed that in the 2024/2025 financial year, the county government collected Ksh. 895 million, a sharp rise from the Ksh. 361 million previously recorded as the highest revenue under the previous administration.
“When Governor Malombe came to office in 2022, he found the county collecting just Ksh. 362 million. Today, I can report that in the last financial year, we managed to collect Ksh. 895 million. This is a clear indication that raising revenue is not about inflating taxes or permit charges on businesses, but about sealing loopholes of corruption,” said Makau.
He attributed the growth to improved revenue management systems, enhanced transparency, and strict measures to eliminate leakages. Makau further encouraged residents to actively submit written memoranda and proposals on rates, fees, and charges for consideration in the Finance Bill.
The Chief Officer also announced that the county is embracing digital revenue collection systems to enhance efficiency, plug corruption gaps, and promote accountability. He called on Kitui residents to support the administration’s efforts to eradicate corruption by ensuring compliance and transparency in revenue matters.
The public participation forums are expected to inform the final 2025/2026 Finance Bill before it is tabled for approval by the County Assembly.
The successful exercise was hailed as a reflection of Governor Julius Malombe’s visionary leadership, which has prioritized transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making. Under his stewardship, Kitui County has not only enhanced revenue collection but also fostered citizen engagement to ensure financial policies align with the development aspirations of the people.
Ends///
