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As county assemblies mull over the Budget Estimates for 2024/25, the priorities for local governments have been identified as agriculture, infrastructure and health services.
In Nyeri County, Finance CEC Robert Thuo presented the estimates to the assembly with a Sh8.7 billion budget, Sh2.8 billion for development and Sh5.8 billion for recurrent expenditure.
The highest allocation is to the Health Services Department at Sh3 billion, followed by the County Assembly at Sh955 million for development and salaries.
The Roads Department will receive Sh492 million, while Lands and Urban Planning will have Sh475 million. The assembly has been allocated Sh150 million for development, which includes the construction of buildings and the renovation of offices.
The governor’s office has been allocated Sh45 million for development projects and purchases. The county intends to spend Sh20 million on a vehicle for the deputy governor and Sh13 million for a vehicle for the agriculture department.
Renovate the governor’s office
The county will also spend Sh260 million on drugs and other health commodities. The county allocates 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 to construct an outpatient department and an additional Sh40 million to construct a level IV Hospital.
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The gender department has set aside Sh15 million for various projects within Karatina Children’s Home, which include the installation of hot water systems and water tanks.
The County Trade Department is proposing Sh10 million for the separation of metres at Karatina market and the construction of a specialised market.
The Roads and Energy department has set aside Sh120 million for streetlight bills and an additional Sh2.5 million for the construction of the governor’s residence parking area and installation of cabro paving.
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza identified agriculture, health, roads and education as priority areas in the Sh12.8 billion budget. The county seeks to grow its source revenue from Sh385.4 million in the 2022-2023 financial year to Sh600 million.
Ms Mwangaza said the adoption of a cashless payment system at local hospitals will boost revenue and services.
The agricultural department plans to spend Sh1.24 billion to procure and distribute 1,200 quality cows per poor household, distribution of 5,115 dairy goats and 400,000 cross-breed chickens.
Other programmes include 180 apiaries, 24,000 insemination doses, 600 tons of fish feed and nine boats.
Health was allocated Sh1.29 billion, Energy, Infrastructure and ICT got Sh878.3 million, Education Sh505 million and Environment, Water and Natural Resources got Sh645.2 million.
Murang’a County Government has budgeted to spend Sh10.3 billion in the financial year 2024/2025, where Sh3.1 billion will be allocated to development programmes.
In the financial estimates submitted to the County Assembly, Sh6 million has been proposed to facilitate the annual Gikuyu music festivals.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration in the Own Source Revenue projects to collect Sh1.2 billion, as it lays grounds for Sh200 million from the Kenya Devolution Support Programme to be controlled through the Department of Devolution and External Linkage.
Murang’a Finance CEC Kiarie Mwaura has submitted the estimates to the county assembly for debate and approval. To engage the youth in villages, the government has proposed to inject Sh125 million into the ambitious Murang’a Youth Service.
Mr Kang’ata proposes to spend Sh115 million on uji for nursery school pupils estimated at 40,000. Another Sh10 million has been allocated to convene the Murang’a International Investment and Trade Conference, while the mango and milk subsidy of Sh195 million will be set aside.
The Health Department gets the lion’s share of Sh3.1 billion, where Sh52 million has been allocated to community health volunteers and Sh320 million for procurement of drugs.
Another Sh116.5 million has been earmarked for the development and improvement of health facilities, and Sh20 million for the lease of medical equipment.
The governor’s office and the county assembly have been allocated Sh450 million and Sh810 million for recurrent development. Roads and infrastructure have been allocated Sh1 billion in the next financial year. The municipalities of Murang’a, Kenol and Kangari have been allocated Sh161 million for development and recurrent expenditure.
In Laikipia County, Governor Joshua Irungu proposes to spend Sh6.9 billion in the financial year 2024/2025, where Sh4.7 billion will be allocated for salaries and Sh2.1 billion committed to development.
In the year financial estimates drawn by Finance CEC Samuel Wachira and Chief Officer Daniel Ngumi, heath gets the lion’s share of Sh2.7 billion, while water gets Sh322 million. Municipalities of Nanyuki, Nyahururu and Rumuruti will share Sh22 million.
The county projects to collect Sh602 million from health facilities.
[Report by Lydiah Nyawira, Phares Mutembei and Boniface Gikandi]
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