County wage bill grows to Sh2.9 billion

The county plans to spend Sh6.7 billion in the next financial year, with wages and health taking a large portion of the budget.

This emerged during a public participation meeting on 2019/20 budget proposals held yesterday at Bondo County Hall.

In the proposals, the wage bill is projected to grow to Sh2.9 billion from the current Sh2.7 billion, further straining service provision.

County Assembly budget and Appropriation Committee Chairman Obiero Otare criticised the new wage bill.

“I am challenging the executive to clean up its payment master roll by flashing out ghost workers who consume huge chunks of money,” said Otare.

The county plans to raise Sh325 million from local revenue from the current Sh275 million.

Health services

Health services will take up Sh2.1 billion, tourism, ICT and Sports, Sh262 million, agriculture, Sh210 million, water, irrigation and natural resources Sh235 million, while education and youth affairs will be allocated Sh145.8 million.

The development budget will be increased to Sh2.3 billion from the current Sh2.02 billion.

The county plans to spend Sh70 million to tarmac Opoda-Bondo Township Primary road, while Sh18 million will go to Siaya Bondo Water Services Company (SIBO).

Miss Tourism Kenya beauty pageant will cost Sh5 million, while Sh20 million will go to purchasing motor vehicles.

An allocation of Sh5 million to design Migwena Stadium sparked debate, coming after Sh10 million was allocated in the current financial year for the stadium's upgrade.

The county also plans to spend Sh31.3 million on tractor hire service and another Sh13 million for completion of construction work at the county referral hospital.

A new governor’s residence is expected to cost Sh10 million.