The Uasin Gishu County Assembly has approved its 2023/2024 financial year Budget of Sh. 9.8 billion to be financed by Sh. 8.4 billion in the form of equitable shareable revenue, Sh. 1.2 billion as Own Source Revenue, and Sh. 278 million from conditional grants.
The Budget that highlights policies and revenue-raising measures for the fiscal year 2023/2024 was read by the County Executive for Finance and Economic Planning, Micah Rogony.
Speaking at the County Assembly, Rogony told the public that the budget gave them an opportunity to scrutinize the development priorities set for the next fiscal year.
“This budget is also the first prepared by the new administration and has therefore taken into account the aspirations of the residents of the county with a view to improving their living standards and enhancing service delivery,” he said.
He noted that the priority areas for this administration in the next financial year include Water, Health, agriculture, and food security; trade, cooperatives, and Enterprise Development; Education and skills development; Infrastructure development; and ICT, among others.
“In the health service sector, we seek to guarantee access to quality and affordable healthcare to the residents of the county. In pursuit of this outcome, I propose an allocation of Sh2.5 billion,” said Rogony.
He noted that, in the Agriculture, Rural, and Urban Development Sector, which is a key sector towards attaining food security and nutrition, proper land use and control, and the delivery of affordable and decent housing to support this realization, Sh 1.3 billion has been set aside for the sector.
“Education and Social Protection I propose an allocation of Sh1.2 billion to this sector; I have further allocated Sh 99 million for the development and equipping of ECDE facilities across the county and an additional Sh 72 million for the school milk programme, a key promise of the Governor,” he said.
He noted that, to enable bright children from poor backgrounds to access education at all levels, an allocation of Sh130 million for bursaries has been proposed.
He further said as they expand access to basic services Sh2.0 billion has been allocated to support the prioritized programmes aimed at improving the road network, increasing access to clean water and ICT, conserving the environment, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
Rogony said the county is privileged to host the 8th Devolution Conference from August 15th to August 19th, 2023, and the conference will bring together local and international delegates to discuss, learn, and share best practices on pertinent issues affecting counties and will provide trade and investment opportunities for communities in our county and the neighboring counties, towards this, Sh50 million is allocated, and a steering committee is set up to spearhead the preparation ahead of the conference.
“In order to improve our own-source revenue, we shall adopt automation and a cashless payment system, as well as streamline our taxation and fee structure, said the CECM.
By Judy Too
