Machakos unveils Sh12 billion budget for growth

County Finance CEC, Francis Maliti (left) with Speaker Florence Mwangangi after the CEC presented the sh 12 billion county budget estimates for the 2019/20 fiscal year at the Machakos County assembly on June 25th 2019. [Erastus Mulwa/Standard].

The County government has unveiled a Sh12 billion budget for the 2019/20 financial year, with healthcare and infrastructure receiving the most funds.

In his budget statement to the county assembly, Finance Executive Francis Maliti said Sh470 million would be set aside for maintenance and upgrading of 400km of roads.

Mr Maliti, who is also the deputy governor, said road infrastructure had been identified as a key element in improving the county’s competitiveness in commerce and industry.

“Studies have shown that a 10 per cent increase in passengers in a metro area generates a one per cent increase in regional employment,” said Maliti.

The county will also build an airport if the county assembly okays a proposal to allocate Sh100 million for the facility’s initial set-up.

Maliti said Sh542 million would be spent on maintenance and equipping of facilities in the Machakos Level Five Hospital, while a further Sh136 million would go towards maintenance and equipping of the four local Level Four facilities.

“To consolidate the gains achieved, and in order to achieve 100 per cent universal access to quality health care services, I have allocated Sh35 million for completion and upgrading of community hospitals and dispensaries,” the Finance boss said.

Maliti also allocated Sh255 million to complete Government buildings. To boost the county’s youth empowerment programme and address unemployment, the executive said Sh51 million would be spent as capitation for a vocational training programme.

“All the enrolled students, who are approximately 3,147 youth, will each receive Sh15,000 paid directly to the vocational training centers,” said Maliti.

The county allocated Sh110 million to complete four stadia in Yatta, Matungulu, Mavoko and Mwala, while Sh150 million was allocated for the construction of one large dam, and the rehabilitation of earth dams and 60 water pans.