Machakos Speaker Advocates for Gender-Responsive County Budget

Machakos, Kenya – Anna Kiusya, the Speaker of the Machakos County Assembly, has emphasized the need for a gender-responsive county budget. She made these remarks following the actualization of a motion on gender and equality in the Assembly. Kiusya underscored the importance of including programs in the budget that specifically address the needs of marginalized groups, including the youth, women, and people with disabilities.

According to Kenya News Agency, the inclusion of such programs in the budget is crucial for advocating on behalf of these groups. Kiusya, who is currently the only female County assembly speaker in the country, expressed her commitment to empowering women engaged in local financial activities like table banking and merry-go-rounds. She aims to help them scale these activities to improve their lives and those of their families.

In addition to focusing on women, Kiusya also highlighted the importance of addressing the needs of the boy child. She emphasized the need for gender inclusivity and proposed initiatives to prevent young men from engaging in substance abuse by involving them in development groups. The Speaker’s comments underscore the significance of inclusive and balanced development policies that cater to all genders in the county.