Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has raised concerns over the failure of the county government of Kajiado to involve members of the public in the budget-making and the lack of implementation of development project allocations.

In a report dubbed ‘Kajiado County Allocation and Expenditure Trends in Pro-poor Sectors 2024’, the commission says the county has the 2024 Public Participation Act in place but has failed to adhere to it, denying residents an opportunity to participate and monitor development projects.

Poor civic education among those who are handpicked to participate in the several public participations conducted is also said to affect the outcome of the budgeting process.

The county also failed to attain its own source revenue targets for three consecutive years affecting its budget implementation in what the commission says is setting unrealistic targets.

The county performed dismally in the financial year (FY) 2022/2023 by collecting Sh875.28 million against the set target of Sh1.74billion. In FY 2021/2022 the county collected 527million against its target of 1.6Billion and in the past nine months of FY2023/2024 only 729.5Million has been collected against the 1.52billion target.

The report comes amid concerns by Kitengela residents over water scarcity, garbage menace and poor roads.

Acute water shortage has hit the populous town, which was elevated to a municipality two years ago with residents paying up to Sh70 for a 20-litre jerrican of clean water.

There is no piped clean water, with the supply by unregulated hawkers and suppliers who use carts and water bowsers compromising its quality exposing consumers to health risks of waterborne diseases. Poor waste management of garbage and sewer has exacerbated the situation.