State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has spearheaded a monitoring and evaluation public participation forum that will ensure resources are put into good use to benefit the common Mwananchi. The National Treasury Public Participation Forum, which was held in conjunction with the county government at Kathwana in Tharaka Nithi County, will ensure government resources are invested properly to avoid misuse of public assets. It highlighted impactful projects in all sectors to be completed by the national treasury for the benefit of the people. Speaking during the forum, the PS said that as a government, they are prioritising what the people want to ensure efficient service provision. ‘What the people want, we give it to them, and that is why we are coming to the ground to listen,’ she said. Ms. Muthoni revealed that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure there is affordable and accessible health care in the country, adding that they are monitoring all other departments to ensure everyone benefits. She pointed out the need to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the county government to ensure proper utilisation of resources that guarantees no project is left incomplete. The PS assured of her commitment to train and absorb more nurses in hospitals in order to provide sufficient health care services. The Ministry of Health is keen to equip hospitals with enough human resources as well as adequate facilities, she noted, to ensure people receive proper treatment nationwide. On his part, Tharaka Nithi County Governor Muthomi Njuki emphasised the importance of public participation to prioritise the needs of the people in all sectors. He revealed that they were monitoring and evaluating on-going projects to ensure completion and avoid the waste of public resources. ‘We need to prioritise ongoing projects before the government can fund new ones to avoid wasting resources, which is at the cost of taxpayers’ money,’ he said. He expressed that all government officials should ensure the smooth and efficient running of all projects within their locality. Njuki added that the government is keen on focusing on projects that benefit and add value to the common Mwananchi, such as roads and water dams. He expressed that the budgetary process will ensure immediate action is taken and the views of the people are taken into consideration. He added that his administration conducted project assessments in all facilities in the county to find gaps that needed to be filled in with more manpower and adequate facilities. The forum was attended and mobilised by Tharaka Nithi County Commissioner Wesley Koech, Deputy Governor Wilson ‘Muisrael’ Nyaga, Leader of the Majority Party in the County Assembly Luke Marengo, among others.
Source: Kenya News Agency