Kiambu County has emerged as a national leader in fiscal transparency after being recognised for having the most comprehensive Finance Act of 2025, in a major endorsement of its efforts to promote openness and accountability in the management of public funds.
The award, presented by the International Budget Partnership Kenya (Bajeti Hub) through the Nairobi, Eastern and Central Regional Budget Hub (NECHUB), places Kiambu among counties making significant strides in opening up their financial processes to public scrutiny.
The recognition was handed over by NECHUB Head of Inclusion and Kiambu County Budget Facilitator Rahab Kiranga, who led a delegation from the organisation during a visit to the County Assembly.
The award was received on behalf of the county by Nachu Ward MCA and chairman of the Departmental Committee on Finance and Economic Planning, Fr George Kimani, alongside County Revenue Director Henry Waweru.
Members of the Finance and Economic Planning Committee and officials from the County Revenue Directorate also attended the ceremony.
The recognition comes against growing calls for county governments to improve transparency in the management of billions of shillings allocated to devolved units, with citizens increasingly demanding access to budget information and a greater say in how public resources are allocated and spent.
During the engagement, the NECHUB team also commended Kiambu for its performance in the 2025 County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS), noting that the county had made considerable progress in publishing budget documents on time and improving public access to critical financial information.
The organisation said the progress reflected Kiambu’s growing commitment to public accountability, fiscal openness and responsible governance.
The delegation and county officials subsequently reviewed the findings of the CBTS 2025 assessment, identifying areas where further improvements are required and exploring measures to strengthen the county’s position in budget transparency.
The discussions also focused on strategies that could enable Kiambu to sustain its gains and set an even higher benchmark for public participation and financial accountability among Kenya’s 47 counties.
NECHUB reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with the county government and the County Assembly to deepen budget openness and ensure residents have access to timely and comprehensive information on the use of public resources.
Mr Kimani welcomed the partnership, saying the County Assembly was ready to strengthen cooperation with NECHUB and ensure its representatives are involved in future budget-making processes.
He said greater collaboration between oversight institutions, the Assembly and the public would be critical in ensuring county budgets respond to the needs and priorities of residents.
Mr Kimani further said Kiambu’s financial planning would continue to be anchored on people-driven budgets and Finance Acts, with residents given meaningful opportunities to influence decisions on revenue collection, spending priorities and development programmes.
He stressed that public participation should go beyond a statutory requirement and become a meaningful process through which residents can shape the financial direction of the county.
The latest recognition is expected to strengthen Kiambu’s profile in the national debate on devolution, at a time when counties face mounting pressure to demonstrate that public funds are being managed transparently and that citizens are receiving value from devolved resources.
For Kiambu, the award provides an opportunity to build on its progress while addressing any remaining gaps in budget disclosure, public participation and financial accountability.
The county’s leadership now faces the task of translating the recognition into sustained reforms that keep residents informed and involved in decisions affecting the allocation and use of public money.
