At the Ndori Resource Centre in South Gem Ward, Gem Sub-County, residents came together to shape the 2026/2027 Annual Development Plan (ADP).
Anchored in Article 220(2) of the Constitution and Section 126 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, the forum reflected the spirit of Kenya’s devolved governance, ensuring citizens directly influence county planning and development priorities.
Residents from across the several sub-location of South Gem Ward—including Ndori, Bar Ndege, Kambare, Nyalunya, Dhene, Aluor, and Ojwaya actively engaged in the forum. These sub-locations were focal points for grassroots input and priorities identification.
The discussions were led by South Gem Ward Manager Mr. Collins O’Gara, Ward Administrator Madam Evelyn Akinyi, Mama Esther Omondi (CBEF Siaya representative), and officials from the Department of Finance and Economic Planning Mr. Jared Abwao and Mr. Abraham. Their facilitation fostered transparency, open dialogue, and clarity on how the ADP links to the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
In her address, the ward administrator for South Gem Ward Madam Evelyn Akinyi emphasized the need for community-driven priorities to anchor the county’s development. She encouraged residents to propose projects that would strengthen service delivery and ensure accountability in resource use.
Mr. Jared Abwao, guided participants through technical aspects of the ADP process, including budget ceilings, allocation mechanisms, and project feasibility.
Residents of South Gem Ward actively presented their priorities, identifying infrastructure, healthcare, and education as key pillars of development. Proposals included:
(1) Upgrading feeder and access roads to open up markets.
(2) Expanding access to clean and safe water.
(3) Equipping and improving local schools for better learning outcomes.
The inclusive nature of the forum ensured that women, youth, community elders, and special interest groups had their voices heard.
All feedback was documented for consideration in the final ADP, in alignment with the Siaya County Fiscal Strategy Paper 2025/2026.
This participatory process not only empowered residents but also strengthened grassroots accountability.