Residents of Nyando Constituency in Kisumu County now want their views during public participation sessions fully taken into account by the county government.
The residents lamented of being used simply to pass the budget, yet their views and demands are not factored in, claiming that they are being used as rubber stamps and later forgotten.
Speaking during a public participation forum organised by the county government in Awasi, on Wednesday, the residents noted that such processes must amount to development in the region.
Leonard Odhiambo, a resident, said that the county government will be taking area residents for a ride should their development demands not be considered after every fiscal year, henceforth.
“We don’t want to be used as a rubber stamp to take the budget cycle to the next level. Our decisions must be taken into considerations and views captured in the budget-making process,” he said.
They also said that the county has failed to pick locals to work in development projects that have been launched in the region, contrary to Governor Anyang' Nyongo's initial promise.
Joseph Osera said that locals from the region are facing isolation when it comes to jobs.
"The governor promised that with new projects rolled in the area, locals will get employment opportunities but so far we were sidelined in the upcoming jobs,” he said.