The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has officially opened the 2025 budget hearings for local authorities with a focus on building resilience for inclusive growth and improved livelihoods.
In opening remarks read on his behalf, the Permanent Secretary- Technical, emphasized the importance of aligning local authority budgets with the 2025 national budget and the Eighth National Development Plan.
He also stressed the need for local authorities to prioritize the implementation of key projects, including presidential directives.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted the ministry’s efforts to decentralize power and enhance service delivery at the local level which include the devolution of five additional functions from central government to local authorities namely; district agriculture services, district veterinary services and district social welfare services.
The ongoing budget hearings will also focus on ensuring that local authority budgets reflect the aspirations of their respective districts and meet policy and legislative expectations.
In attendance are representatives from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Cabinet Office and development partners such as USAID and UNICEF who have collaborated with the ministry to build capacity for budgeting in local authorities and develop the Local Authorities Budgeting Manual expected to be launched in 2025.
The Permanent Secretary urged local authorities to prioritize prudent utilization of resources and to be creative in building their own source revenue bases.
He also emphasized the importance of submitting reports and returns within stipulated timelines to avoid sanctions.
“The budget hearings are a critical step in ensuring that local authorities have the necessary resources to deliver services and implement development projects that benefit their communities.” he said.
