The Kisumu County government's plan to use Sh97.5 million to construct and equip three 'huduma centres' is raising questions.
There are those who argue the allocation is unjustified because 'huduma centres' are under the national government.
Therefore, tough questions await the county executive when it tables its Sh3.6 billion 2016/2017 budget in the county assembly where it is expected to defend the huge allocation.
The county government hopes to spend spend Sh60 million to build the 'huduma centres' in a move it says will help bring services closer to the people. The rest of the money will be used to equip the centres.
Huduma centres are part of the national government's Vision 2030 flagships projects.
Governor Jack Ranguma was not immediately available for comment but according to source at his office who requested anonymity, the said 'huduma centres' are actually documentation centres, different from the centres the national government is setting up.
"There is no duplication of projects," the source said yesterday.
In its 2015-2016 budget, the county government also allocated Sh50 million for constructing documentation centres in Nyando, Muhoroni, Kisumu East, Kisumu West and Nyakach sub-counties.
The county is also seeking to spend Sh760 million on feasibility studies for unspecified programmes while another Sh885.8 million will be spent on reconstructing Kisumu City.
At least Sh463.8 million will go towards improving provision of water as well as conserving the environment and natural resources. There are fears Lake Victoria ecosystem and biodiversity faces the threat of extinction as the rising population continues to exert pressure on its natural resources.
An additional Sh51 million will be used to improve solid waste management with Kachok dumpsite getting Sh10 million. To promote food security, the county has allocated Sh486.4 million to boost agriculture, livestock and fisheries production.
Also, the county plans to boost agricultural mechanisation with Sh10 million while the Agricultural Training Centrr will be modernized at a cost of Sh4 million.
The health sector, one of the greatest beneficiaries of the budget, has been allocated Sh2.5 billion.
Some Sh20 million will be used to complete construction of a maternity at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital while another Sh15 million will be used to buy medical equipment for the hospital.
The department of finance and planning has been allocated Sh1.4 billion compared to Sh2.3 billion it received in the last financial year.
