In April 2016, the Executive arm of Makueni County Government allocated US $200,000 to its 2016/17 budget. This is the first time the county is allocating a specific budget for family planning. Advocacy efforts led by the County First Lady and Advance Family Planning local partner Jhpiego Kenya resulted in this great milestone. Prior to the allocation, family planning programs in Makueni County were supported mainly by non-governmental organizations.
The First Lady’s Shina Foundation; the AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance Kamili program; Jhpiego; and other stakeholders met with the county governor to make the case for investing in family planning. His Excellency Prof. Kivutha Kibwana committed to have his government put resources for family planning. Subsequently, the advocates met with the department of health to ensure inclusion of family planning in the departmental budget.
The funds will help operationalize the county family planning costed plan, which is expected to be launched in early July 2016.
Going forward, Jhpiego Kenya is working with the Shina Foundation and other stakeholders to advocate for establishing an accountability mechanism that will ensure that allocated funds are expensed as planned.