𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐄𝐒; 𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐀 𝐓𝐎 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa, in his capacity as the Chair of the Finance, Economic Affairs, and Planning Committee at the Council of Governors, and a seasoned finance expert, delivered a keynote address at the inaugural Annual National Conference of Economists, 2024, held at Prideinn Paradise in Mombasa County.

The four day conference, organized by the Economists Society of Kenya (ESK), is in its second day under the theme, “Providing Leadership Towards Sustainable Economic Growth in Kenya.” It aims to advance activities related to budgeting, policy development, planning, research and analysis, bringing together stakeholders in these sectors.

Addressing over 500 delegates, Governor Barasa urged Hon. Ndindi Nyoro, the Chair of the Budget and Appropriation Committee to marshal Members of the National Assembly to increase funding to County Governments in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). This, he emphasized, would empower counties to implement transformative agendas at the grassroots level.

Leading a discussion under the sub-theme “Mainstreaming Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in Counties as a Tool for Resource Mobilization,” Governor Barasa voiced concerns about the tedious process of releasing conditional grants to counties by the National Government. He called on experts at the National Treasury, many of whom are economists, to streamline the process and make funds more accessible.

Additionally, he advocated for opening of other financial channels through PPPs to bolster resource mobilization efforts by Counties.

The event was also attended by members of the Economists Society of Kenya, led by the President Dr. Danstan Ulwodi and the National Chair ICPAK CPA Philip Kakai.