1. NATIONAL YOUTH SECTOR ALLIANCE (NYSA)
P. O. Box 8799, 00200 NAIROBI,
Phone: +254 722 619 005,
Email: info@nysa.co.ke
Website: www.nysa.co.ke
@nysa_kenya
www.facebook.com/NYSAKenya
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR
EFFECTIVE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
FOCUS ON DEVOLUTION
The National Youth Sector Alliance (NYSA) is a national multi
stakeholder alliance bringing together over 350,000 members for
policy engagement with government and other stakeholders. NYSA
is undertaking a national dissemination process to educate the
public on the importance of public participation in devolution.
and County Treasury; County Assembly especially CASB,
Committee on Budget and Appropriations, Accounts and
Investments; Controller of Budget – approves all
withdrawals from the County Revenue Fund; Auditor
General; Intergovernmental Budget and Economic
Council; County Economic and Budget Forum (similar to
NESC); Citizens through available forums of CEC and CA.
The Budget Process: Integrated development planning
process (long and medium term plans) —> Planning
financial and economic priorities for the county over the
medium term plan —> Making an overall estimation of the
county government's revenues and expenditures —>
Adoption of County Fiscal Strategy Paper —>submitting
estimates to the county assembly —> Approving of the
estimates by the county assembly —> Enacting an
appropriation law and any other laws required to implement
the county government's budget —> Implementing the
county government's budget; and —> Accounting for, and
evaluating, the county government's budgeted revenues and
expenditures;
Budget Timelines Government financial year begins on 1
July and ends June 30. The approved budget of both
recurrent and development expenditures and also revenue
sources should be ready by then.
Opportunities for Engagement: Planning, Budget Making
(SWGs, ward and village forums), Budget Approval, Budget
Implementation/Service Delivery (Project/Service
Committees, Monitoring Teams, Evaluation and Audit,
Feedback (verbal and written)
It is important for the people/residents of the counties to
understand the County Government Act 2012 which is the
main reference point for Counties. The Act provides for
access to information to any member of the public. This is
critical for accountability and transparent. It is illegal for
members of the public not to be allowed access to critical
county information such as plans and finances.

2. Provisions of Devolution in the Constitution of Kenya are
found in Article 1(3) (4) which provides for the Sovereign
Power to be delegated to State organs which shall be
exercised at National and County levels. Article 6 (1) (2)
provides for Devolution and Access to services
The Governance and Electoral Systems is provided for in
Chapter 11 under Articles 174 – 200
The Principles of the Devolved Government are democracy
and separation of powers; Reliable resources of revenue to
help in service delivery and 2/3 gender rule in all
appointments.
Distinct Features of Devolved Governments
• Public participation – Article. 196 (1 & 2) & 174 (c)
• Service Delivery – Article. 174 (f)
• Recognition of unique dynamics/ character of each county
– Article. 174 (e)
• Decision making process founded on efficacy and
efficiency – Article. 174(f)
• Fundamentals of resource distribution Art. 174(g),
203(2)(3), 204 (1) (2)
Structure of County Government
1. County Assemblies
2. County Executive Committees comprises of Non
politicians
3. Urban Areas & Cities provided for in a National
Legislation
Positions at the County Government
• Governor – Elected
• Deputy Governor – Elected
• Ward Representatives (County Assembly Members) who
are Elected and nominated
• County Executive Committee Members who are appointed
by the Governor and vetted by the County Assembly
• Speaker of the County Assembly who is elected by County
Assembly members
The Legislative Authority of County Assemblies is
exercised by the County Assembly which makes laws,
exercise oversight authority over County Executive
Committee and any other County Executive organ such as
County Public Service; receives and approves plans and
policies on Management and exploitation of resources and
Development and management of its infrastructure and
institutions.
Planning Framework at County Level:
1. Integrated County Development Plan provides the
overall direction for a 5 years cycle
2. County Sectoral Plans: cover 10 years and are sector
specific i.e. Agriculture, Health, Trade, Education etc.
3. County Spatial Plan covers 10 years with GIS based for
social and economic development
4. Cities and Urban Areas Plans: Provide for facilitation of
development including land use, building, zoning and
recreational facilities.
Participatory Planning and Public Finance Management.
The First and Mandatory step is County Planning. This is
done through conducting public participation meetings at
ward level for members of the public to give views and
priorities for development in their area. The Plan is then
presented to the County Assembly for ratification and or
approval. No money can be appropriated outside a planning
framework at the county level.
The second stage after planning is the budgeting process.
The plans and the budget lay the basis for effective public
finance management. Specifically the budget is where the
county actualizes its plans. If it is not in the budget it does
not exist. The budget Forms the basis for assessing county
government performance.
Public Finance Management (PFM) Principles: Building on
the National Values and Principles of Governance in Article
10 of the Constitution of Kenya, the PFM principles are:-
Openness and accountability; Public participation in
financial matters; Promotion of an equitable society;
Equitable sharing of the benefits and burdens of public
resources and borrowing between current and future
generations; Prudence and responsibility in use of public
money; Clear fiscal reporting and responsible financial
management.
Public Finance Management Framework: Kenya Vision
2030 provides the broad framework for planning and
expenditure across the country. Chapter 12 of the
Constitution of Kenya also lays the basis for PFM under the
Public Finance Management Act (PFM, 2012) which provides
legal basis for all financial management. The County
Governments PFM Transition Act, 2013 lays the procedures
at county level and the Interim County Assembly Standing
Orders.
There are Yearly Statutes that support the revenue
management; The Division of Revenue Act (between
National and County governments), County Allocation of
Revenue Act (between Counties), County Appropriation that
Allows spending and Finance Act for each County which
allows raising of revenue.
Public Finance Management at County Level: Managed by
the County Treasury under the CEC Member for Finance
(County Treasury) Operates two accounts (Revenue Fund and
Operations Accounts) held at National (CBK) and County
Level (Commercial Bank). The Controller of Budget
approves all withdrawals from the county revenue fund
based on the Appropriation law and any other law. All money
to be focused on recurrent and development expenditures
that enable county to deliver its functions.
Key Actors in the budget process: Commission on Revenue
Allocation – proposes equitable sharing; Parliament –
National Assembly and Senate; CEC Member for Finance