Inside Simba Arati Sh13.8 billion Budget

Kisii County Governor Simba Arati, delivering his speech on 8th June 2023 at Karura Forest in Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Kisii Governor Simba Arati's administration is targeting to raise Sh650 million in locally generated revenue as the devolved unit unveiled an ambitious Sh13.8 billion budget for the 2023/2024 Financial Year.

A report on the planned expenditure was tabled before the assembly on Thursday by the Chairman Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Peter Otachi.

The County Executive for Finance Kennedy Abincha later, Thursday read the budget and described it a gamechanger for the County's fortunes.

The County has an unspent balance of Sh2.35 million from the Financial Year 2022/23.

Several mega projects have been lined up for construction including an allocation of Sh620 million for the construction of the Cancer Centre. The National Government has already allocated Sh1.9 billion for the same project.

Kisii will have an equitable share of Sh9.2 billion and will also pay for the Leasing of Medical Equipment at a cost of Sh124.7 million.

With President William Ruto's promise to add more funds to the establishment of an Industrial Park, the County has also allocated Sh100 million towards actualizing the dream.

In the estimates, Governor Simba Arati has been allocated Sh538 million for his office operations. The County Public Service Board Sh7.4 million, Education, Technical Training and Innovation Sh1.2 billion while Medical Services will have a lion's share of Sh4.1 billion.

The County Assembly has been allocated Sh1.4 billion, Roads and Public Works Sh1.2 billion while Kisii Municipality and the newly created Ogembo Municipality will receive a share of Sh265 million and Sh74 million respectively.

Recurrent expenditure will take a whopping Sh8.6 billion of which Sh3 billion will be used to pay salaries for staff in the Medical Services, Sh1 billion for staff in the Education Department, another Sh1 billion in the Finance and Accounting Department and Sh1.2 billion for staff in the County Assembly.

The Kisii County Assembly will have a total of Sh224 million for development being Sh35 million for the ongoing construction of the Speaker's residence, installation of an alternative power supply system at Sh6 million, refurbishment of offices at Sh10 million and construction of new County Assembly Chambers at Sh100 million.

Otachi said there was a need to re-align the County budget priorities in the medium term and put more emphasis on measures that will direct more resources towards economic recovery after the revenging effects of Covid-19.

"Our budget will play a central role as the government responds to the various economic shocks to spur economic development of the County. The committee has proposed a rapid shift in priorities to realign tax and spending policies accordingly. "

Otachi said it will require swift demands and decisive action, honesty, transparency, committed engagements and above all public trust in the implementation of the projects.