The Public Finance Conference 2024

Today, I would like reflect Abit on The Public Finance Conference 2024 that took place last week. It was calming to see a lot of young people pushing the frontier in public finance advocacy. What most people fail to realize is that public finance is a whole body of knowledge that requires commitment to comprehend and consequently ask the right questions. I am reminded of Mafia, a game created by Dimitry Davidoff, to show that an informed minority will always subdue an uninformed majority. If you think about it, a country is simply one huge Organization, with the president as the CEO, and the citizens as shareholders. The number of Shareholders does not matter; if they fail to recognize their power, if they fail to ask the right questions, they will always be sidelined. Today, take your seat at the table, build your knowledge base on public finance and you will discover your power. Bajeti Hub John Kinuthia Abraham Rugo Muriu Cuba Houghton Institute of Public Finance Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA #PublicFinance #ThePublicFinanceConference2024

Financing budgets in the context of fiscal constraint, great learning experience.. . The strategies governments or organizations adopt to allocate limited financial resources effectively while also addressing competing priorities. Fiscal constraints arise due to factors like *low revenue collection*high debt levels, *inflation, or economic downturns, which limit the available funding for public expenditures.#PFC24 #budgetchampions represented #communities. More calling for Civic Education, Public participation and Transparency as a great start for change. illiteracy/ lack of information limits engagements in all aspects that helps in our country development. Pathways Policy Institute (PPI) Grace Ndegwa The Public Finance Conference 2024 Bajeti Hub United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA Drawing Dreams Initiative Juliana Adut wambui kimunya Wilfred Mwangi Waithira Kinyua Amnesty International Kenya THE AMAZON LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (TheALI) Grace Ndegwa Lucky Namunyak Kaesha Njeri Sherry Muthaura Ndiritu Kinyua Chebet Surah

Financing budgets in the context of fiscal constraint, great learning experience.. . The strategies governments or organizations adopt to allocate limited financial resources effectively while also addressing competing priorities. Fiscal constraints arise due to factors like *low revenue collection*high debt levels, *inflation, or economic downturns, which limit the available funding for public expenditures.#PFC24 #budgetchampions represented #communities. More calling for Civic Education, Public participation and Transparency as a great start for change. illiteracy/ lack of information limits engagements in all aspects that helps in our country development. Pathways Policy Institute (PPI) Grace Ndegwa The Public Finance Conference 2024 Bajeti Hub United Disabled Persons of Kenya UDPK Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA Drawing Dreams Initiative Juliana Adut wambui kimunya Wilfred Mwangi Waithira Kinyua Amnesty International Kenya THE AMAZON LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (TheALI) Grace Ndegwa Lucky Namunyak Kaesha Njeri Sherry Muthaura Ndiritu Kinyua Chebet Surah

Reflecting on the recently concluded The Public Finance Conference 2024, specifically the session the budgeting for the health sector. Emphasis on the importance of access to information in engaging governments effectively. This requires citizens as individuals or groups are equipped with accurate facts and evidence for meaningful engagement. Budgeting involves justifications and prioritization hence it is essential to have a clear understanding of the government's obligations in the health sector, the underlying facts, relevant data, and importantly the health concerns of the community. PRB through USAID Stawisha Pwani collaborates with the counties of Kilifi, Kwale, Taita Taveta, and Mombasa to support the improvements of the formats of health sector budget presentation. This is done through supporting use of evidence and data in target setting. Recommendations on use of programme based formats in reporting through the implementation budgets for ease of tracking budgets and their intended outcomes over the medium term. This helps in fostering greater accountability,transparency and meaningful engagement in health sector budgeting. Details can be found here https://thepfckenya.org/ Bajeti Hub The Public Finance Conference 2024

Last week, Expertise Global was honoured to participate in the The Public Finance Conference 2024, where our Managing Director, Wangari Muikia, contributed to a high-level panel discussion on Financing Budgets in the Context of Fiscal Constraint. Held just before the State of the Nation Address, the timing of the conference provided invaluable context for ongoing discussions around fiscal policy and national economic strategy. Here are some key takeaways and areas of emphasis from our presentation: ?? Accountability in Borrowing – Debt, when used strategically, is a critical instrument for governments to invest in infrastructure, drive economic development, and complement broader fiscal goals. However, the conversation needs to expand beyond just the amount borrowed to include the purpose of borrowing. Public debt should align with clear, strategic objectives and be supported by robust accountability mechanisms in line with legal frameworks to ensure long-term financial sustainability and project success. ?? Transitioning to Internally Denominated Debt – It is essential for Kenya to reduce its reliance on external debt and increase domestic borrowing. This enhances resilience to global economic shocks, strengthens national financial sovereignty, and stimulates growth within local financial markets. ?? Building a Domestic Savings Culture – A key prerequisite for successfully transitioning to internally denominated debt is fostering a strong local savings culture. Encouraging domestic savings is critical for buffering against external economic shocks and providing a stable foundation for sustainable, long-term economic growth. This will reduce reliance on foreign capital and improve overall economic stability. ?? Leadership in Policy Implementation – The effectiveness of policies such as the National Tax Policy and SHIF depends heavily on strong, accountable leadership. While these policies hold significant potential, their impact is often undermined by inconsistent budgeting practices, inefficiencies in execution, and systemic challenges such as corruption. Strong and decisive leadership is necessary to ensure these policies are implemented effectively and lead to meaningful outcomes. The session was an invaluable opportunity to engage in strategic discussions about shaping Kenya’s economic future. Expertise Global remains committed to advancing the conversation on sustainable fiscal management and fostering long-term economic resilience. A special thank you to Bajeti Hub and the distinguished panelists and participants - Abraham Rugo Muriu , Kithinji (KK) Kiragu , Cuba Houghton , Adil Ababou, Veronicah Ndegwa , Jilna Shah ,Robert Maina, Kiama Kaara for their insightful contributions to an impactful and thought-provoking session. . #PublicFinance #FiscalPolicy #StateOfTheNation #NationalTaxPolicy #EconomicGrowth #SustainableFinance #BajetiHub #ExpertiseGlobal #KenyaEconomy #Leadership #DebtManagement

Public Finance Conference 2024: Katiba Institute (KI) Devolution Lead Henry Paul Gichana, LLD, CPM explains why it is critical to monitor and evaluate the success of the laws and structures of devolution in meeting devolution’s service delivery goal. "Monitoring and evaluations start with understanding devolution and what the Constitution considers to be the pillars of devolution - distinctiveness and interdependence,” Henry Paul Gichana, LLD, CPM Bajeti Hub, Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), Commission on Revenue Allocation, Act To Change #PFC2024

We commend Bajeti Hub for taking the lead in providing exclusive capacity, Enabling #youth to gain deeper understanding of budget policies and public financing. This can only be achieved when the youth population is included. As a youth-led organization, KESA fits seamlessly into this effort. At the #PFC2024 in Nairobi, our Secretary General Erick Okwayo, officially handed over an appreciation certificate to Bajeti Hub Executive Director Dr. Abraham Rugo Muriu For their support and partnership in putting up the 3rd National Economics Debate. Also present were Cuba Houghton and Neema Lois. Economics Students Association of Kenya, KESA

Today marks the second and final day of The Public Finance Conference 2024, and it's clear: Kenya has abundant financial resources, strong financial laws, and policies to regulate their use. The plans and projects to utilize these resources are well thought out, but the question remains—what good are rules if we don’t follow them? Where is the accountability and transparency in how public funds are utilized? How can we expect meaningful growth when only 16% of the national budget is allocated to development projects? A significant portion of the budget (over 1/3) goes toward paying government salaries. Is this fair to the 56+ million Kenyans who need better services and infrastructure? These are just a few of the challenges facing public finance management in Kenya. Despite these issues, many conference participants remain hopeful, offering valuable insights on how to address these problems. Here’s my take: We need action—implementation. Implementation of development projects all the way through to completion, and implementation of policies that fix the current inefficiencies in how public funds are managed. We need a clear, systematic approach to solving these issues. A wise Lado once said, “You can’t add pressure to the tire without fixing the puncture first.” Tackling core issues like corruption could resolve other challenges, like insufficient funds, in the process. What changes would you make to improve the management of public funds in Kenya? Let’s keep the conversation going. Bajeti Hub #PublicFinance #Kenya #Accountability #Transparency #GoodGovernance #PFC2024

#PFC2024 Recap: Through the Lens of a Gen Z Health Systems Enthusiast!! The curtain has fallen on the Public Finance Conference 2024, and what an incredible two days of multi-sectoral dialogue on Kenya’s Public Finance Management (PFM) space it has been! One of the standout conversations for me was the Day 1 session on “Balancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with Fiscal Sustainability.” The discussion centered around an important truth: health must be a government priority! Unfortunately, health sector budgets often bear the brunt of fiscal consolidation efforts, possibly because the sector is perceived as yielding limited economic returns. However, as Dr. Margaret Lubaale of Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA put it: "Health is a wellness issue AND a development issue!" (Inspired by her words, I made a humble attempt to immortalize them in ink and paper. Check out my fine work of art in the attachment!??) Dr. Lubaale’s statement is a timely reminder that investing in health is not just about individual well-being but also about driving national development. A healthy population is the backbone of economic growth and societal progress, and the health sector deserves the attention and funding it demands. On matters of policy design, any reforms in the health sector must adopt a people-centered approach. After all, the ultimate goal is to create a healthcare system that meets the population’s needs. This means ensuring that people’s voices are meaningfully incorporated into the design and implementation of policies. Day 2 closed with a session on “The Future of Public Finance in Kenya”—a fitting end to the conference. And here’s where the Gen Z crowd truly shined! The atmosphere was filled with hope and optimism about the future of PFM in Kenya. Much of this hope is being entrusted to us—the (in)famous Gen Z generation—as potential agents of change. ? Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, the keynote speaker for the session, aptly remarked (paraphrased): "There is no room for a defeatist attitude! Amidst the challenges, we hold the capacity to innovate and create solutions." Therefore, let’s carry the momentum from PFC 2024 forward. Let’s continue to champion reforms, prioritize people’s voices, and position health at the center of development. ?? Institute of Public Finance Bajeti Hub Health NGOs Network - HENNET KENYA Veronicah Ndegwa Ruth Kendagor John Nyangi The Public Finance Conference 2024

Today marks the second and last day of the The Public Finance Conference 2024 organized by Bajeti Hub. One thing stood out in this conference; all sessions our starting on a point of hope; the goal, to map out aspects of PFM in Kenya that are currently working and could be made better. My panel delved into the question of financing and tried to address the question of what is the appropriate balance between taxation, debt and other sources of financing such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). The question of sub-national taxation also came up and we tried to map out some solutions for counties. Over and beyond, the question of building trust in government triggered some thoughts. I concluded that it is not the business of any of us to build trust in government; trust is earned, and it is the responsibility of the government to earn public trust; if things are working, no one will have to tell us they are working because we will feel they are working. Therefore, the government must be deliberate in delivering on its social contract to restore public trust. Institute of Public Finance Cuba Houghton Jilna Shah Wangari Muikia Kiama Kaara Robert Maina