Busia: The National Treasury has initiated a capacity-building programme designed to equip county governments with essential skills in economic planning. This initiative aims to enhance coordination and integration between county and national development plans.
According to Kenya News Agency, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, speaking at the launch in Busia, highlighted that the initiative is part of ongoing reforms to ensure an evidence-based and harmonized approach to national development. He stressed the importance of strengthening linkages between both levels of government to promote efficient resource allocation and implementation.
Mbadi emphasized the need to correct the planning process to achieve integrated plans between the county and national levels. He underscored the importance of evidence-based planning and the need for training in data capture, along with monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure value for money in public spending.
The CS noted that the Treasury is moving from a system characterized by public sector dominance to one that strategically encourages private sector participation. He mentioned the necessity of adopting alternative strategies due to rapid urban growth and financial constraints, emphasizing that infrastructure provision should be a shared responsibility between the public and private sectors.
Mbadi pointed out that the lack of standardized investment conditions across counties hinders attracting private partnerships. He proposed an efficient, standardized negotiation framework integrated into the planning approval process to diversify infrastructure delivery methods.
According to the CS, the goal of the proposed integrated planning approval system is to create a predictable, transparent, and equitable framework for infrastructure cost distribution, thereby attracting private investors. He highlighted the central role of the private sector in enhancing efficiency, accelerating project delivery, and improving community living standards.
Mbadi urged county governments to embrace privatization models for financial relief and operational efficiency. He noted the challenges faced by the current national financial system, including inaccessible private capital, underdeveloped domestic financial markets, and unsustainable sovereign debt levels.
He emphasized the need for catalytic interventions to unlock private investments, particularly in emerging sectors like the green economy. Mbadi pointed out the significant opportunity for private investment in energy transition and advocated for adaptive finance models to reduce dependence on public funds and stimulate innovation.
The development of new carbon markets was also highlighted as a strategy for building sustainable revenue models. Mbadi called for innovative financing approaches to strengthen resilience and ensure long-term economic sustainability.
Busia County Deputy Governor Arthur Odera praised the initiative and advocated for the simplification of planning frameworks to ensure inclusivity and better understanding at all levels. He stressed the need for accurate data and more skills at the grassroots to enable effective county planning.
The programme, led by the Treasury, is set to be implemented across all 47 counties, as part of a broader agenda to enhance fiscal responsibility, promote accountability, and drive inclusive development.