ADVERT 
ADVERThttps://youtu.be/Sny2O4mVqxU?feature=sharedResidents identify priority development projects, call for timely contractor payments and strict adherence to procurement procedures
The County Government of Siaya has taken its 2027/28 County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) public participation exercise to West Ugenya, with residents using the forum to outline development priorities, demand accountability in project implementation and raise concerns over delayed payments to contractors.
The public participation exercise, organised through the Department of Finance and Economic Planning, was held at Bar Owengo as the county entered the third day of consultations aimed at collecting public views and validating the draft fiscal planning document.
The exercise brings together women, men, youth and persons with disabilities, providing residents with an opportunity to influence how county resources are prioritised and allocated in the coming financial year.
The consultations are anchored in the constitutional principles of public participation and the provisions of the County Governments Act, which require county administrations to involve citizens in planning, budgeting and development decision-making.
ADVERTThe West Ugenya engagement was led by Ugenya Sub-County Administrator Vincent Oduor, Economic and Planning Officer Samuel Ojwang, Ward Administrator Tabitha Ogola and Raymond Ochieng from the MCA’s office, among other county officials.
Majority of 2025/26 projects completed
During the engagement, the county administration presented an update on development projects earmarked for the 2025/26 financial year, indicating that most projects in West Ugenya had either been completed or were nearing completion.
Among the completed road projects are the maintenance of Nyangu-Obet Road at Sh1 million; Kapuoyo-Junction-Kolali Road at Sh1 million; opening and grading of Kayanga-Amien-Masat Road at Sh2.5 million; and maintenance of Miyare-Odolo-Tong’ Gwen Road at Sh3 million.
Other completed works include the opening and grading of Ratado Health Centre-Agunja-Sifuyo Road at Sh2.2 million, Chief Mbago-Odianya Road at Sh2.5 million, Pap Olang-Nyandwir Road at Sh3 million, and maintenance of Uyundo-Ogeya-Nyalenya Road at Sh3 million.
Meanwhile, construction of a boda boda shade at Wath-Okie Sand Harvesting Point, valued at Sh500,000, was reported to be ongoing.
Other projects at various stages of implementation include construction of ECDE classrooms at Bar Anyanga, rehabilitation of Bonde Community Centre and development of a solar-powered borehole.
However, despite the reported completion of several road maintenance contracts, contractors raised concerns over delayed payments, appealing to the Department of Finance and Economic Planning to expedite the processing and settlement of outstanding bills.
They warned that payment delays risk undermining the timely delivery of public projects and affecting contractors’ ability to sustain operations.
Sh38 million development programme outlined for 2026/27
The county government has also earmarked approximately 38 projects for implementation in West Ugenya during the 2026/27 financial year, with water, agriculture, education and road infrastructure featuring prominently.
Water projects, including drilling, equipping and rehabilitation of boreholes, account for eight interventions with an estimated allocation of Sh8 million.
In a move targeting vulnerable households, the county has set aside Sh4 million for the supply of certified maize seeds through three projects targeting widows and persons with disabilities.
Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) infrastructure will also receive attention, with construction of classrooms at Hafumbre, Ndenga and Bar Anyanga Primary School allocated a combined Sh7 million.
Road maintenance and accessibility projects include Mwembe-Tayari-Usenge-Kabuyu Road at Sh1 million, Ohendo-Adhanij Road at Sh1 million, Nyalenya-Masawa Road at Sh1 million, Aboke-Walilera Road at Sh1 million and Makomo-Nyayombe Road at Sh1 million.
The opening and grading of Ratado Health Centre-Agunja-Sifuyo Road has also been earmarked at Sh2.2 million.
Other proposed interventions include installation of a floodlight at Nyambweke Market at Sh1.5 million and construction of a boda boda shade at Nyaholo Market at Sh500,000, among other projects.
Residents take charge of 2027/28 priorities
Looking ahead to the 2027/28 financial year, the Department of Finance and Economic Planning has presented a framework comprising 32 proposed projects for West Ugenya.
Under the consultation arrangement, each of the nine sub-locations is expected to identify and prioritise two projects for consideration.
The sub-locations represented in the West Ugenya consultations include Karadolo West, Karadolo East, Masat West, Sifuyo East, Sifuyo West, Uyundo and Ndenga, among others.
Residents welcomed the opportunity to determine their development priorities but insisted that public participation must translate into actual implementation rather than remain a budgetary formality.
They called on the county government to strictly observe procurement procedures and Bills of Quantities (BoQs), expressing concern that some projects continue to be carried forward into subsequent financial years despite having received allocations previously.
They further demanded adherence to implementation schedules, transparency in the execution of contracts and an end to changing or substituting projects after residents have identified and prioritised them.
Residents particularly welcomed the Sh6 million allocation towards the Hafumbre-Luhano-Aboke road connection in Ukwala Ward, saying the project would significantly improve mobility and address longstanding accessibility challenges.
Sub-locations present their development priorities
During the consultations, residents presented a range of proposals reflecting their immediate infrastructure and social development needs.
Among the proposals submitted were:
Masat West: Public works involving murraming and culverting of Pap Oleng-Nyandwir Road and Mbeya-Odienya Road.
Masat East: Maintenance of Siwoho-Anyanga-Ujumba Road and construction of a four-door pit latrine at Nyalweny Market.
Ndenga: Construction of an ECDE classroom at Ndenga, grading of Aboke-Oleya Road and rehabilitation of Nyamnia Polytechnic.
Nyalenya: Drilling and equipping of a solar-powered borehole at Bar Achuth to improve access to reliable water.
Sifuyo East: Public works involving grading and murraming of Biya-Pap Olang Road.
Uyundo: Construction of an ECDE facility at Ng’anga.
Sifuyo West: Installation of culverts along Sifuyo Road to improve drainage and accessibility.
The proposed water project at Bar Achuth was also highlighted as a priority for addressing water access challenges in the area.
Public participation must deliver tangible development
The West Ugenya consultations have once again placed the spotlight on the relationship between public participation, responsible budgeting and effective service delivery.
While residents have welcomed the county government’s continued investment in roads, water infrastructure, education and agricultural support, their message was clear: development allocations must be matched by timely implementation, transparent procurement and accountability.
The concerns raised over unpaid contractors also underline the importance of ensuring that approved projects are adequately funded and that legitimate payments are processed without unnecessary delays.
As Siaya moves towards the 2027/28 budget cycle, residents will be watching closely to see whether their proposals find their way into the final fiscal planning documents and, ultimately, translate into completed projects.
For West Ugenya residents, the measure of successful public participation will not simply be the number of meetings held or projects listed in budget documents, but the visible improvements those decisions bring to their roads, schools, markets, water supply and livelihoods.
