Health takes lion share of Meru county budget

From left: Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi, Clerk Jacob Kirari and Assembly Budget and Appropriation Chairman Martin Koome, on August 12, 2025 [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma has assented to the Meru County Appropriation Bill 2025-2026, with the health services and roads, transport and energy getting the lion share.

The health services got Sh1.9 billion, while roads, transport and energy Sh1.6 billion. The water, irrigation, environment, natural resources and climate change sectors got Sh1.1 billion allocation.

Lands, physical planning and urban development received Sh918 million. Mutuma described this year's budget as a turning point from the past sour relation between the assembly and executive.

The governor, who took over five months ago after the ouster of Kawira Mwangaza, has had a cordial relationship with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) since he assumed office.

Since 2022, when Mwangaza assumed office, the Executive and Assembly had a frosty relationship that made it impossible for them to plan development projects.

But that is in the past now, as Mutuma and the MCAs are jointly working to deliver development projects.

"This year marks a turning point, the first time in two and a half years that the Executive and the Assembly have worked hand-in-hand to plan and deliberate on the financial year budget.

"The past two and a half years were marked by political wrangles and instability, but today, we stand united. This unity will make the difference; when leaders work together, results follow. The people of Meru will now witness the impact of focused, coordinated leadership," he said.

The governor termed the restoration of unity among the leaders as a 'strong working relationship' and exuded confidence that it will spur development in the region.

"By His grace, we are determined to recover the time lost over the last 2 and a half years. With resources now in place, we will deliver tangible services to our people, including drilling boreholes and expanding water access, improving road infrastructure and energy supply, enhancing market structures, addressing food insecurity, supporting ECDE programmes, strengthening healthcare services, promoting trade, conserving water and the environment, empowering youth and sports, and improving overall service delivery," he stated.

"I call upon all Meru residents to unite behind this transformative agenda in order to recover lost time and deliver the long-overdue development our county deserves," Mutuma added.