Citizen engagement on priority areas of development has been cited as a key accelerator of rapid and effective implementation of development programs in Machakos County.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti, in a speech read on her behalf by Trade minister, John Kilonzo says increased public participation forums across the county have yielded better resource allocation, speedy economic development as well as social inclusion and equity.

“We have made remarkable progress in implementing the various priority projects identified through public participation in the various Annual Development Plans (ADPs), County Fiscal Strategy Papers and Budget Estimates,” she said.

She said her government was keen on uplifting the lives of Machakos residents through structured and transparent citizen engagement.

Finance executive, Onesmus Kuyu who led a host of his counterparts, chief officers and other county officials in a public participation exercise for Mavoko Sub-County at Sabaki grounds revealed that automation of revenue systems had yielded better results in boosting the county Own Source Revenue.

“Under the leadership of Governor Wavinya, the county has shifted to full-time automation of revenue management by eliminating human interface in revenue collection. Unfortunately this has been one of the greatest triggers of resistance by cartels that have been siphoning public resources,” said Kuyu.

The minister urged the county residents to support governor Wavinya’s reforms in the management of revenue, saying it was the only sure way of improving service delivery to the public.

“Revenue collection is about enforcement. That is why we need a serious person to pursue this transformation. With this in place, we can easily transform Machakos to a bastion of  strong economy, wealth and employment,” he said.

A similar forum was later conducted at Kivi primary school grounds in Kangundo East Ward.