Counties across Kenya have made steps to introduce and implement Programme Based Budgets (PBB), yet others still remain behind. Through a structured collaboration with the Kenya School of Government (KSG), the USAID Health Equity and Resource Optimization (USAID HERO) project is updating the training modules to build capacity of county staff on PBB.
USAID HERO works across 10 counties of Meru, Nyandarua, Nakuru, Kajiado, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gishu. The project is led by Kenyatta University with Abt Global as the sub-awardee. At national level, USAID HERO engages strategic partners like the Council of Governors (CoG) with an objective to increase and mobilize domestic resources for improved and better health outcomes across the counties.
In this process of reviewing the PBB curriculum by KSG, there has been extensive consultations with stakeholders from the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Ministry of Health (MoH), and Office of the Controller of Budget (OCoB). The aim is to ensure this updated curriculum will be fit for Kenya’s devolved context and includes lessons since introduction of PBB and adoption by pioneer counties.
The updated curriculum will address the need for increased capacity strengthening of county government staff with a focus on the health sector. Once the curriculum is finalized, its roll out will target members of the county health management teams, finance and planning, accountants and economists, auditors, procurement and monitoring and evaluation officers. These carder of public officers play a central role during the county budget making and implementation cycle.
The new curriculum is timely in response to the need for improved financial management in the public sector and specifically in county governments. These training will catalyze progress towards the towards realization of national and county goals including delivery of timely and quality services to the citizens.