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Mombasa residents express dissatisfaction with current adverts on public participation

The Mombasa County Assembly Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations while collecting views, suggestions, and concerns from the public. (Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Monday, June 17, 2024

Locals suggested that public participation announcements should be communicated through local chiefs to ensure wider dissemination.

Mombasa residents have expressed dissatisfaction with the current methods of advertising public participation events.

They suggested that public participation announcements should be communicated through local chiefs to ensure wider dissemination.

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During the public participation exercise for the Mombasa Programme Based Budget Estimates 2024/2025, on Monday which kicked off last week in various sub-counties residents voiced their concerns and suggestions.

The Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations while collecting views, suggestions, and concerns from the public explained the Mombasa County Programme Based Budget Estimates is prepared in accordance with section 129 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, provides detailed revenue and expenditure projections for the upcoming financial year.

The committee mentioned it includes revenue from the national government, projected revenue from the equitable share, and estimated expenditure by vote and programme.

A resident from Nyali Sub County, Feisal Mohamed suggested that public participation announcements should be communicated through local chiefs to ensure wider dissemination.

“The low turnout is due to lack of information. If chiefs were involved, more people would be informed,” he said.

Zalib Wanga from Frere Town echoed the call for better information dissemination, acknowledging the effectiveness of ward administrators in informing the public.

Members of the public during the Mombasa County Assembly Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations collection of views, suggestions, and concerns from the public. (Farhiya Hussein)

He stated, “The information needs to reach every corner of the county, not just through social media and newspapers.”

In Kisauni, Eston Owino from the Development Union recommended distributing budget documents two to three weeks before public participation events to allow residents ample time to review them.

Translation

He also suggested translating the documents into Kiswahili for better understanding. “The documents are too technical for a layman. They need to be simplified and translated,” he stated.

Residents in Likoni Sub County shared similar concerns.

Amina Nzai from the Shika Adabu ward called out the County Assembly for poor communication.

“Social media is not enough, many people do not have access to smartphones. We need broader advertisement methods,” she said.

Shika Adabu MCA Juma Mwalimu Kambi responded by emphasizing the importance of social media but acknowledged the need for better outreach.

“We have placed adverts in newspapers and on social media, but we recognise the need to improve our methods to reach everyone,” he explained.

At the same time, Noah Okatch from Ziwa la Ng'ombe in Nyali raised concerns about the decrease in Own Source Revenue projections, arguing for a higher target based on current revenue streams.

The committee assured them that their views would be considered.

Chairperson Kibwana Swaleh emphasised that all concerns were noted and would be taken into account in the final budget. “We have heard your voices, and we will ensure they are reflected in the final document,” he assured.