By Samson Wire
Siaya County has officially thrown open the doors of its treasury to wananchi.
In a major boost to participatory governance, the County Government of Siaya—through the Department of Finance and Economic Planning—has embarked on countywide public consultations for the 2026/2027 County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), a legally mandated roadmap that shapes how public money will be raised, shared, and spent.
The exercise, anchored in Section 117 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, is taking place across all 30 wards and the three municipalities of Siaya, Bondo, and Ugunja, giving residents a direct say in how budgetary resources will be equitably distributed in the next financial year.
Often described as the “DNA of the county budget,” the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) is one of the most critical financial documents in county governance. It outlines Siaya’s financial roadmap, spelling out the county’s strategic priorities, policy direction, fiscal goals, and expenditure ceilings that will guide budget preparation not just for 2026/27, but across the medium term.
By law and by principle, the CFSP ensures prudent financial management, transparency, and accountability—while embedding public participation, as required by the Constitution of Kenya.
The Siaya CFSP is built around five core functions that determine how the county plans and spends public funds:
1. Public Engagement: Ongoing consultations in all 30 wards and the 3 municipalities to capture citizens’ priorities.
2. Fiscal Framework: Setting clear revenue and expenditure ceilings to guide budgeting.
3. Strategic Guidance: Aligning spending with the county’s development goals and policies.
4. Economic Outlook: Assessing economic trends and risks that may affect county finances.
5. Legal and Constitutional Compliance: Ensuring alignment with constitutional principles and national fiscal policies.
From Public Views to Law: The Four-Step Legal Journey
Before the CFSP becomes official policy, it must pass through a strict legal process:
1. Public Participation – Currently underway across the county.
2. Preparation by the County Treasury – Consolidating public input into the draft CFSP.
3. Submission and Approval by the County Assembly – Including debate and amendments by MCAs.
4. Gazettement – Formal publication, making it an official government policy document.
Once gazetted, the CFSP directly informs the county budget, translating citizens’ aspirations into real services, projects, and development outcomes.
The county leadership is urging residents to actively participate, emphasizing that this is not a box-ticking exercise but a genuine opportunity for wananchi to influence priorities—from health and agriculture to roads, youth programs, and urban development.
As Siaya charts its fiscal path for 2025/26, one message is clear: the budget will be shaped not just in boardrooms, but in villages, wards, and municipalities—by the people, for the people.
