Nairobi County Assembly has approved the first budget under the administration of Governor Johnson Sakaja. The Sh40.7 billion for Financial Year 2023/2024 now lays ground for Sakaja to deliver on some of the pledges he made during his campaigns.
The health sector received the highest allocation -Sh8.1 billion.
Finance, Budget and Appropriation Chairman Wilfred Odalo told the assembly that quality services will be delivered to city residents following the allocation.
"The money has been set aside for the recruitment of staff and purchase of drugs and non-pharmaceuticals," Odalo said.
The assembly set aside Sh90 million for construction of Early Childhood Development centres.
In his manifesto, Sakaja promised to construct 20 markets in the city to address unemployment and congestion with Central Business District as well as building additional stadiums.
Construction of markets and stadia were allocated a total of Sh730 million.
"This shall provide employment to the youth in the county therefore reducing idleness and crime," said Odalo.
To reduce the ballooning bills, Sh1.5 billion was set aside. Current pending bills amount to Sh100 billion.
Each Ward Development Fund received Sh23 million for projects.
To tackle the garbage menace, Sh200 million has been set aside to make the city clean.
"The face of the city depends on how we manage our waste and take care of our environment and with the increasing population in Nairobi demands that we rethink how to take care of our waste," Odalo stated.
Elected and nominated MCAs have at least something to smile about. Some Sh40 million has been allocated for them to undertake development activities.
The budget committee also set aside Sh50 million for procuring sanitary pads for vulnerable girls across the county.
Ward bursaries were increased by Sh100 million, meaning each elected MCA will disburse Sh7 million.
However, the committee slashed some allocations. The tree planting budget was reduced by Sh554 million.
The allocation for construction of Dandora Market was reduced by Sh25 million while allocation for the refurbishment of City Hall Annex was slashed by Sh77 million.
