By Caroline Katana
The County Government of Kwale officially began countywide public participation forums on Tuesday on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), a legally mandated document that sets spending ceilings, revenue projections and sector priorities ahead of the 2026/2027 budget.
The first forum was held in Kombani social hall in Waa-Ng’ombeni Ward, alongside parallel sessions in Ukunda, Tiwi and Gombato-Bongwe.
Addressing residents, County Economic Advisor Antony Yama said the exercise is anchored in law and must be concluded before the end of February.
“By law, before February 28, we must have collected views from residents on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper so that it can be submitted to the County Assembly for review and approval,” said Yama.
He described the CFSP as a critical stage in the budget cycle that paves the way for budget estimates to be tabled in March.
“This document guides the entire budget process. It sets the ceilings, the projections and the priorities that will shape the final budget,” he said.
Kwale County Economic Advisor, Antony Yama
Yama told residents that the county had presented revenue projections for the 2025/2026 financial year and forecasts for 2026/2027, including expected Own Source Revenue and equitable share allocations from the National Treasury.
“We have explained the revenue we generate from our own taxes — what we call Own Source Revenue — and what we expect to receive from the National Treasury. We have also shared our expenditure plans for the current and coming financial years,” he said.
He noted that the CFSP outlines a three-year Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which aligns spending with strategic priorities.
For 2026/2027, the county’s key priority sectors include; Agriculture, Health, Education, Infrastructure development (water and roads) and Economic empowerment for women, youth and persons living with disabilities.
“These are our key priorities as a county, and we are grateful that residents of Waa-Ng’ombeni have supported them,” Yama said.
However, Yama admitted that since the onset of devolution, the county has consistently failed to meet its Own Source Revenue targets.
“For many years under devolution, our Own Source Revenue has fallen below projections. We have not been meeting the targets we set each financial year,” he acknowledged.
To address the gap, he said the county has introduced new measures to strengthen revenue collection, particularly in health facilities.
“We project to collect KSh 400 million from county hospitals alone,” Yama stated.
With the total Own Source Revenue target set at KSh 841 million, he explained that the remaining balance would be generated from land rates, markets, parking fees and licensing.
“I want to assure residents that we will meet this revenue target in the current financial year,” he said firmly.
Kwale expects to receive KSh 9 billion from the National Treasury in the 2026/2027 financial year, with a total projected budget of KSh 12 billion split between development and recurrent expenditure.
“We have put in place strict financial discipline to ensure prudent use of public funds,” Yama added.
County Budget and Economic Forum member Athman Kibada said the next stage will be preparation of budget estimates in March.
“Come March, we will move to the budget estimates. The CFSP is derived from the Annual Development Plan (ADP), which contains projects proposed by residents,” Kibada explained.
County Budget and Economic Forum member, Athman Kibada
He said the ADP forms the foundation upon which ceilings, projections and sector allocations are set.
“When we reach the estimates stage, each department will be allocated funds for specific projects. That is where wananchi will again have an opportunity to give input,” he said.
Kibada confirmed that the ADP for 2026/2027 has already been approved by the County Assembly, although it retains the power to make amendments.
“If there are any changes, they will be made in the interest of the people,” he said.
The public participation exercise, which began on Tuesday, February 17, will run for five days and conclude on Saturday, February 21.
While welcoming the engagement, residents raised sharp concerns about chronic revenue shortfalls and delayed disbursements from the national government.
Hamisi Magisu, a resident of Ng’ombeni Village Unit, commended the budget team for involving citizens but questioned the county’s track record in revenue collection.
“Every financial year, revenue targets are set, but the county has never achieved them. When targets are not met, it means some community projects will not be implemented,” said Magisu.
He urged the county government to strengthen enforcement and accountability in revenue systems.
“The county must get serious about revenue collection so that our projects are implemented and wananchi fully benefit from devolution,” he said.
,A resident of Ng’ombeni Village Unit, Hamisi Magisu
Magisu also questioned the disparity between planned and actual national allocations.
“If the national government planned to allocate KSh 8.8 billion in 2024/2025 and the county only received KSh 4.2 billion, where is the balance of KSh 4 billion?” he asked.
He demanded clarity on recovery strategies and future safeguards.
“If the county has not received that money, what strategies are in place to ensure it is released? And once received, where will it be allocated so that residents benefit?” he posed.
For the 2025/2026 financial year, he noted that although Kwale expects KSh 9 billion, only KSh 3.7 billion has been disbursed so far.
“We are approaching the end of the financial year while large balances remain unpaid. This situation hurts ordinary citizens. What concrete steps has the governor taken to secure our rightful allocation?” Magisu questioned.
As Kwale advances toward the budget estimates stage, the CFSP hearings have exposed both consensus on development priorities and growing frustration over fiscal gaps.
With Own Source Revenue underperforming and national disbursements lagging, residents are demanding greater transparency, accountability and aggressive follow-up to safeguard the county’s development agenda.
The coming weeks as the CFSP is tabled before the County Assembly and budget estimates are prepared — will test whether those concerns translate into fiscal reforms or remain recurring grievances in Kwale’s devolution journey.
