The Coalition for Health Research and Development’s latest Budget Advocacy Workshop on October 2, 2024, ignited a fresh wave of enthusiasm for understanding and influencing Kenya’s fiscal policies. The meeting was held in Machakos and attracted participants from nternational AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), National Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE), the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), Amref Health Africa , Bajeri Huband other organizations.
For 3 days the health experts from the coalition discussed the 2024 Budget Policy Statement (BPS), highlighting the government’s revenue projections, spending priorities, and the far-reaching implications for health, infrastructure, and agriculture.
Speaking during the meeting, Mary Muia from the ational Organization of Peer Educators (NOPE) made welcome remarks. She said, “Budget advocacy is a game changer for the CHReaD coalition.”
Muia also said that advocating for research and development is quintessential because it helps health researchers to have a better view of the Budget Policy Statements(BPS), government revenue projections, spending priorities, and their potential impact on health systems and infrastructure.
Accordingly, Samuel Makau, the Coalition for Health Research and Development (CHREAD) coordinator, emphasized the importance of health experts comprehending Kenya’s budgeting process to effectively advocate for Research and Development.
With the same breadth, the Advocacy, Policy, and Communications (APC) Associate Catriona Mumuli said,” The workshop is so timely because it will help Research experts appreciate the advocacy process in Key.”
Catriona Mumuli also emphasized that the times are changing and it would be critical for Kenya to increase budgeting for research and development.”
Additionally, Maureen Awour from AMREF Health Africa insisted that” Understanding the budget for research and Development remains essential. The global health and Research lead also emphasized that Kenya should endeavor to meet the requirements of the Abuja declaration.
Despite this renewed optimism on Research and Development, Imali Ngusale, the Technical Lead from the African Center For Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA) flagged concerns that highlighted potential risks that could impede health milestones if research is not considered as a priority.
Ngusale said,” CHREAD’s focus on healthcare advocacy should prioritize budget allocations for the upcoming FY2025/26.”
Accordingly, Abraham Otieno from Bajetu Hub said that the budget process in Kenya is a cyclic process and the coalition’s inclusive approach needs to be intentional to shape the budget allocation process.
The CHREAD coalition continues to fuel her new appetite for budget advocacy. The collective efforts and promises made by various stakeholders to enhance accountability, ensure public participation, and create fiscal policies that truly serve the people will likely catalyze a significant increase in Research and Development (R&D) investments in Kenya.