Residents of Waa Ng’ombeni Ward in Kwale County have proposed health, road and emergency response projects as the county government begins public participation on a supplementary budget containing an additional Sh804 million in mining royalties.

Kwale County Attorney Salim Gombeni said the funds include the county’s share of royalties from Base Titanium and became available after the county had already approved its main budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Gombeni said the county government is seeking residents’ views on how the additional funds should be incorporated into the supplementary budget and which projects should be prioritised.

County Attorney Salim Gombeni. | Photo: Caroline Katana

“We have Sh804 million that the County Government of Kwale has received to supplement our budget through royalties from Base Titanium,” Gombeni said during a public participation forum in Kombani.

The exercise is being conducted across the county’s 20 wards from Monday to Friday, with residents expected to identify projects they consider most urgent in their areas.

One of the county-wide priorities proposed for funding is the acquisition of two new fire engines.

Gombeni said the county currently has only one fire engine, which has been in service for more than 10 years, raising concerns over its reliability during emergencies.

“The governor has proposed that through this supplementary budget we acquire two fire trucks to help during emergencies involving fires,” he said.

At the ward level, residents of Waa Ng’ombeni identified four priority projects, with each of the ward’s village units submitting proposals.

Residents of Ng’ombeni proposed the upgrading of Ng’ombeni Dispensary and establishment of a general ward, while Waa village unit proposed the acquisition of an ambulance to serve health facilities in the area.

Pungu village unit prioritised the road from Checkpoint to Kiteje, while Matuga village unit proposed a road linking Maganya Kulo to the Kenya School of Government.

Gombeni said the proposals made during the meetings were not exhaustive and residents who had additional views could submit written memoranda to the county government.

“The views given today are not exhaustive. Anyone who has views but was unable to present them can prepare a memorandum and submit it to the office,” he said.

He added that a second phase of public participation would also be undertaken through the county assembly.

Patrick Yasisi, Chairperson of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF), said the supplementary budget would also address pending projects from the previous financial year, pending bills and additional revenue received through royalties.

“Every resident should be involved in matters of development,” Yasisi said, emphasising the importance of taking the budget-making process to residents.

Yasisi said views collected from the 20 wards would be compiled into a report before being presented to the county executive and subsequently forwarded to the county assembly.

The Waa Ng’ombeni forum attracted a large turnout, with Gombeni saying the number of residents attending was significantly higher than at some previous public participation meetings.

“Today, residents have turned out in large numbers. On some days back, I think the numbers have even tripled,” he said.

According to Gombeni, the high turnout was important because it reduced the possibility of a small group presenting its views as those of the wider community.

“It is good to see residents getting involved in their affairs. It shows that there is a convergence of thinking between the residents and the government,” he said.

Yasisi also dismissed claims that memoranda submitted during public participation are ignored by the county government.

“I would say this, there is no memorandum submitted to the government that does not reach us,” he said.

He said memoranda received during public participation are documented in reports prepared from the exercise. He cited the inclusion of a safe house for children in Lunga Lunga in the approved budget as an example of a proposal he said originated from public submissions.

For women participating in the exercise, the forums provide an opportunity to influence decisions on projects that directly affect their lives.

Mealii Mwarua, a resident of Ng’ombeni, said women were being given an opportunity to express their priorities and participate in deciding which projects should be implemented.

“As women in Kwale County, we are given an opportunity to express ourselves and choose the projects we want. Our voices are heard, the projects are implemented and we benefit from them,” she said.

Young people also welcomed their inclusion in the process.

Mustafa Swaleh, a resident of Waa Ng’ombeni, said the turnout demonstrated that young people were becoming more interested in decisions affecting their communities.

“We have seen how the government involves everyone. It does not discriminate against young men or young women,” Swaleh said.

He said the participation had encouraged young people to continue attending public forums and raising issues affecting them, particularly those living in rural areas.

The views gathered from Waa Ng’ombeni and the other wards will form part of the county’s public participation report as the supplementary budget moves to the next stage of consideration and approval.