Kenyan citizens will for the first time contribute to the formulation of the National Budget using social media technology, as part of a strategic push by the government develop a more inclusive document under the new constitution.

Hoping to include a more comprehensive snapshot of the concerns of citizens, the Ministry of Finance has called on Kenyan to give their views using the social media website Twitter.

On Friday, Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta sent out a request to his over 3,700 followers on the website and Facebook to contribute their views on what they would like to see included in the Budget.

Citing Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya, which recognizes inclusiveness as part of the National Values and Principles of governance, the Minister said he was pursuing a more inclusive means of formulating the document

“I would thus like to encourage you all to participate in this most crucial process by giving your suggestions, ideas and proposals on the interventions or actions you would like to see in your budget,” he said in a statement.

Within three hours, more than 300 people had submitted responses to the Treasury using an online document that asked questions like which sectors should get funding and how the government could increase its tax intake.

By Kui Kinyanjui via Business Daily. Read the rest here