Homa Bay County approves Sh6.2 billion budget

The Assembly has approved a Sh6.2 billion budget estimates for the 2015-2016 financial year.

Assembly members unanimously endorsed the Appropriation Bill 2015 after a prolonged debate that lasted till late in the evening on Tuesday.

Governor Cyprian Awiti later signed the Bill that now authorises the county government to spend the money.

Homabay Governor Cyprian Awiti. He has now signed the Bill that authorises the Homa Bay county government to spend the money. (PHOTO: JACOB OTIENO)

Finance Executive Nicholas Koriko said 35 per cent (Sh2.2 billion) of the budget allocation will be spent on development, adding that recurrent expenditures will gobble up Sh3.9 billion, or 65 per cent, with wage bill taking up most of it.

"With 35 per cent of the budget allocated to development, we are within the constitutional requirement," said Mr Koriko.

The Health sector got Sh1.47 billion, while Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries department has been allocated Sh313.4 million.

Mr Koriko said the county's expenditure, which stood at Sh5.3 billion in the previous financial year, is expected to rise to Sh7.3 billion in 2016-2017 and Sh8.6 billion in 2017-2018.

"The expected expenditure will be financed by grants from the national government, internal revenue, grants from external sources, loans, donations and proceeds from fund raising," said Koriko.

According to the estimates, the county expects Sh5.9 billion from the National Government during the 2015/2016 financial year, Sh181,733,607 from revenue collection and Sh10 million from loans, grants and donations.

Speaking in his office after signing the Appropriation Bill, Mr Awiti said the health budget will be used to refurbish the county referral and sub-county hospitals.