Nandi County's Sh6.4 billion budget focuses on key projects

The Nandi County government has unveiled a Sh6.4 billion budget proposal for the 2016/2017 financial year.

The budget proposal was presented before the county assembly on Tuesday by Finance Executive Charles Muge.

The county has set aside 39 per cent (Sh2.5 billion) of the proposed budget to go towards development projects.

Top financial allocations this year include development of more water projects, with Sh350 million having allocated for the same.

Making water accessible to all households has been a pet project of Governor Cleophas Lagat, leading to yearly allocation of funds towards development of new water projects and restoration of existing ones.

“Nandi County Government came to power with a promise to provide clean water to all homesteads in Nandi,” said Mr Muge.

Pet project

The county will further be spending another Sh300 million to acquire more infrastructural development equipment, just a year after acquiring road construction equipment worth over Sh200 million.

“We seek to end the county’s over dependence on contractors with aim to save on road maintenance expenses,” Mr Lagat said recently.

About Sh10 million has been allocated towards the construction of a fire station to boost the county’s disaster management abilities. Recently, the county acquired two state-of-the-art firefighting engines.

In the budget proposal, Sh66 million has been set aside to develop the county markets, including construction of modern kiosks and boda boda shades. Markets that are set to benefit from this allocation include Chepterit, Kabiyet, Mutwot, Mosoriot and Kiboswa.

Agriculture department has been allocated Sh200 million, with Sh174 million meant to improve veterinary services.

“The county seeks to improve its milk production to counter dwindling land spaces and boost food production,” said Muge.

The stalled Kipchoge Keino Stadium will receive further allocation of Sh57 million for its completion.

More funds

Civil society groups have, however, called on the county assembly to reject the county’s bid to channel more funds towards the acquisition of dumpsite land, accusing the county government of not utilising 2014 and 2015 financial year allocation for the same project.

“We can no longer allow them to allocate more funds for dump sites as they are yet to utilise last year’s allocations,” said Kiprotich Cherargey of the Transparency Group.

The Tourism Department has been allocated Sh30 million for branding activities and construction of cultural conference centre among other activities.

Nandi health sector has been allocated Sh500 million.