Health gets lion’s share of budget

The county government has unveiled a budget of Sh5.4 billion for the 2015/2016 financial year, up from Sh4.1 billion approved for the 2014/2015 fiscal year.

The county government expects to get Sh4.9 billion from the national government and raise Sh230 million from local revenue.

The proposed budget, which has already been tabled at the county assembly, is now being subjected to public debate in the wards.

Sh3.7 billion is earmarked to cater for recurrent expenditure. In the ending financial year, recurrent expenditure for the county was Sh2.29 billion, with development expenditure at Sh1.8 billion.

The Health Service docket has been allocated the highest amount at Sh1.7 billion, including Sh1.5 billion for recurrent expenditure and Sh193 million for development projects.

Finance, Economic Planning and Vision 2030 got the second highest allocation at Sh580 million, with Sh455 million for recurrent and Sh125 million for development. This accounts for 11 per cent of the total budget.

Education, Youth Affairs, Sports, Culture and Social Services got Sh534 million.

The government allocated Sh500,000 for relief food.