By Elizabeth Ochogo
In a powerful demonstration of civic engagement, Siaya Township Ward outshone all other wards in Alego Usonga Constituency during the ongoing public participation forums on the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP). More than 80 enthusiastic residents turned up, underscoring the ward's commitment to shaping the county's budgetary priorities. Participants raised diverse issues spanning multiple sectors, including education, health, roads, water, agriculture, trade, and beyond.
Their contributions highlighted real community needs and reinforced the democratic spirit of devolution. In the education sector, residents strongly advocated for the construction of additional Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, equipped with essential facilities. They also called for the renovation and proper equipping of abandoned centres, citing Uhongo ECD as a prime example that urgently required urgent renovation and outfitting to serve young learners effectively. The agriculture sector drew sharp criticism as farmers demanded fair and equitable distribution of subsidized fertiliser across all wards.
Residents highlighted a longstanding pattern of discrimination, noting that their ward consistently received far fewer bags—only about 50—compared to neighbouring wards, a quantity insufficient to support the local farming community. They issued a firm warning that they would reject future allocations if the imbalance persisted. Additionally, participants advised the County Government to identify and promote a suitable cash crop capable of thriving in the area and generating sustainable income for residents.
On roads, attendees requested clearer differentiation between county government roads and national ones during such forums to streamline discussions and improve planning efficiency. The health sector evoked considerable frustration, with residents pointing to persistent challenges including delayed payments to Community Health Promoters (CHPs), chronic shortages of essential drugs in health centers and dispensaries, and other service delivery gaps that affected community well-being.
This vibrant turnout and candid input from Siaya Township Ward residents exemplified the transformative power of public participation as enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Under Article 10, national values and principles of governance include democracy and participation of the people, while Article 174 and Article 196 emphasize public involvement in devolved government and county assembly proceedings. By taking lead in the CFSP process, citizens exercised their sovereign power (Article 1) to ensure that county resources aligned with grassroots priorities, promoted accountability, and advanced equitable development.