Makueni County ECM for Finance Damaris Kavoi eganges Citizens at Wote Green Park on August 13, 2024 during Ward level public participation on projects and programs for implementation during the 2025-26 financial year. Photo Gvrns Press. 
By Andrew Mbuva
A storm is brewing in Makueni County following a petition filed by concerned citizens, under the Makueni Community of Practice, accusing the County Assembly and select officials of unlawfully altering ward-level development projects and budgets without public involvement.
The petition, dated 15th July 2025 and submitted to the Department of Finance and Economic Planning, decries what the petitioners call a "betrayal of constitutional governance" and a “slap in the face of every mwananchi who participated in the budget making.”
The grievances stem from alleged unauthorized changes to the Makueni County FY 2025/2026 budget — particularly projects previously validated through one of the most robust public participation processes ever recorded in the county.
According to the petition, over 39,000 residents engaged in 396 forums across all 30 wards, culminating in the Makueni Vision Empowerment Centre (MIVEC) agreement signed on April 21, 2025, by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, and key county stakeholders.
Each ward was allocated Kshs. 39 million — Kshs. 33 million initially, later revised upwards by Kshs. 6 million — for development projects chosen by the public. However, residents now claim that this participatory framework has been grossly undermined.
“What was a model of participatory budgeting has now been overshadowed by opaque adjustments that betray the voice of the people,” the petition reads.
In Ivingoni/Nzambani Ward, residents were shocked to discover that budgeted allocations for land clinics and road maintenance were removed without consultation. New projects such as the Manyatta Borehole and Makutano Talent Centre — totaling over Kshs. 5 million — were allegedly “smuggled in” against public will.
In Emali/Mulala Ward, citizens decried the introduction of projects worth Kshs. 8 million that were never prioritized during public forums, amounting to what they termed "20.5% budget manipulation."
Kathonzweni Ward saw similar confusion, with new projects appearing without clear justification or public consultations. Kilili/Kalamba, Mukaa, and other wards also experienced sweeping changes — including scope alterations, cost inflations, and new items unrelated to original submissions.
“Over 70 projects had their budgets reduced, 35 had scopes changed, and 20 were increased without justification,” the petitioners revealed.
Citing multiple violations of Kenya’s Constitution and public finance laws — including Articles 10, 118, 174, and 201 — the petitioners are calling for:
Immediate identification and justification for all changes, Suspension of new, non-validated projects, Reinstatement of altered or dropped projects and a pfresh public validation meeting involving the Departments of Finance, Devolution, and the County Assembly.
The petition also copied to Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., the Clerk of the County Assembly, the Controller of Budget, and the Department of Devolution has called for Accountability.
“This betrayal of the participatory process undermines constitutionalism, accountability, and the rule of law,” the petition concludes, warning that the people of Makueni will not stand by as their voices are silenced.
With public trust on the line and accusations of budget manipulation hanging in the air, all eyes are now on the Makueni County Government for its next move — and whether it will uphold or undermine the very participatory spirit it once championed.
