The countywide public participation exercise on the proposed Kitui County Health Facilities Improvement Financing Bill, 2026, and the Kitui County Revenue Administration Bill, 2026, was successfully conducted in Kyome/Thaana Ward, Mwingi West Constituency, where residents from Migwani, Nguutani, Kyome Thaana, and Kiomo Kyethani, wards converged at ATG church in Kyome Thaana to give their views on the proposed Bills.
The forum, led by a delegation of MCAs under the leadership of today’s session chairs Hon. Joseph Kasungi (Waita) and Hon. Paul Maluki (Kithumula/kwa Mutonga), brought together residents and stakeholders, who engaged in a structured and interactive session aimed at collecting views, questions, and proposals on the two legislative documents.
The Chair, Hon. Kasungi, highlighted that the F.I.F Bill seeks to provide a clear framework for the collection, retention, and utilization of funds generated at health facilities, while the Revenue Administration Bill aims to streamline revenue collection mechanisms and seal existing loopholes.
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The Host Member of the County Assembly, Hon. Alphonce Mukwaiyu, welcomed the Assembly delegation and thanked residents for turning up in large numbers to exercise their democratic right. He reiterated the importance of the two Bills in improving service delivery at the grassroots level, particularly in the health sector, urging residents to support provisions that promote equity and efficiency.
The residents who actively participated in the deliberations, offering diverse and insightful contributions on both Bills, expressed support for provisions allowing health facilities to retain and utilize collected funds, noting that this would improve the availability of essential drugs, staffing support, and maintenance of infrastructure. However, some contributors called for the inclusion of robust oversight mechanisms to prevent misuse of funds and ensure accountability at the facility level.
Concerns were also raised regarding potential increases in user fees, with residents urging the Assembly to safeguard the affordability of healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
With respect to the Revenue Administration Bill, participants welcomed efforts to harmonize revenue collection processes but emphasized the need for clarity on the roles of various officers involved in revenue administration.
The members of the public called for the digitization of revenue systems to minimize leakages and enhance efficiency. Additionally, residents urged the County Government to prioritize public awareness and education on tax obligations and revenue policies to foster compliance and trust.
In their remarks, the MCA underscored the constitutional obligation of public participation as a key exercise of legislative processes. The members noted that the Assembly remains committed to ensuring that people are not only informed but actively involved in shaping laws that affect service delivery.
They further assured participants that all submissions would be duly recorded, analyzed, and considered before the Bills are tabled in the house for consideration.
By Anthony Solly
