Members of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) in partnership with the Institute for Public Finance (IPF) held a meeting to explore ways on safeguarding key priority areas during budgeting.

During the meeting held on Monday, May 13, 2024, Members discussed ways of safeguarding sectors that are critical to the well-being of citizens, namely; education, health, water, agriculture and social protection.

The underrepresentation of women in committee leadership was pointed out as one of the obstacles in propelling gender issues.

To free up resources and minimize extreme deviations, IPF urged women legislators to address overlaps especially in development expenditures and confine to the 2024/25 Budget Policy Statement.

So as to address key priority sectors urgently, Women Parliamentarians resolved to leverage on the public participation window by submitting a presentation to the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

"The discrepancies between sector reports and the Budget Policy Statement ought to be addressed. As Members of KEWOPA, we shall make a presentation and raise pertinent questions to the Budget and Appropriations Committee during public participation," said Vice Chairperson, KEWOPA, Hon. Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North).