Nyeri MCAs protest poor implementation as county presents Sh8.7Billion budget

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga during a previous press briefing. [Courtesy, County Meta]

Nyeri County is staring at another monstrous expenditure of Sh5.85 billion as the devolved unit presented its Sh8.7 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year.

The recurrent expenditure represents 66.9 percent of the total budget while the development allocation is 33.5 percent of the budget.

Finance CEC Robert Thuo said medical services were the priority followed by infrastructure.

Thuo said the Health Service and Public Health Department was allocated Sh3.044 billion noting county health services providers have never gone without salaries and hence never participated in a strike.

“There has been a challenge to delayed release of the monies from the National government, for three months; April May and June the county have been surviving on own source revenue,” the finance CEC said. 

He said there would be no increase in taxation but instead has expanded the revenue collection base to tap the tourism sector where visitors will now pay to take photos at various sites

The assembly has been allocated Sh150 million for development which includes the construction of buildings and renovation of offices.

The governor’s office has been allocated Sh45 million for development projects and purchases.

According to the 2024/25 program-based budget estimates, Nyeri intends to spend Sh20 million to purchase a vehicle for the deputy governor, and Sh13 million for a vehicle for the Agriculture department. The County will also spend Sh260 million on drugs and other health commodities.

Nyeri County also proposes the allocation of Sh19.5 million for the construction of a governor’s residence and Sh2.5 million for the renovation of the governor’s offices.

The health Services docket is proposing an allocation of Sh40 million for the construction of an outpatient department while an additional Sh40 million will be set aside to construct a level IV Hospital.

The gender department is setting aside Sh15 million for various projects within the Karatina Children's Home which include the installation of hot water systems and water tanks.

However, as the budget reading went on, a group of MCA left the assembly looking dissatisfied with a concern that last year's budget was implemented.

Mukurwe-ini central MCA Cyrus Nderitu claimed the county assembly approves the budget but nothing is implemented.

“It is so worrying that we approved last year's budget but up to date the project has not started in my ward I was given projects of more than Sh17 million since 2022 but only one of Sh4.5 million has been implemented,” Nderitu said.

He said the county assembly will hold the finance minister accountable for budget implementation.

“Where do other counties get money to implement their projects Muranga Kirinyaga Embu projects still go on while Nyeri is dormant,” he said.