How to Improve the Demand and Use of M&E Evidence in Development Planning and Budgeting Processes of the Government of Kenya

Monitoring and Evaluation has a key role to play in the successful implementation of the development plans, policies, programmes and projects which constitute the backbone of national development. An effective monitoring and evaluation system can positively help obtain data and information required for the formulation and implementation of development plans, policies and programs. It can also help in ascertaining whether the extent to which the economy is achieving set national goals and objectives by providing objective and credible information and evidence.

The guidelines herein recommend some strategies that are necessary to increase the demand for M&E and its use in the development planning and budget making process in Kenya. It is important to mention from the outset that key among the guidelines is the M&E report that should be prepared on time and shared with the key stakeholders early enough before the planning and budgeting cycles commence. This is very important because M&E is critical in informing development planning and budgeting processes in Kenya and many other countries globally.

In addition to the theoretical aspects of monitoring and evaluation, these Guidelines also provide information about monitoring and evaluation methods and approaches that can be adopted by government ministries and other institutions to produce good reports for better policy formulation, planning and implementation. The use of these Guidelines is intended to bring about uniformity in monitoring and evaluation functions.