Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka has launched the county integrated Development plan (CIDP) that aims to unlock the county’s revenue potential.
Lusaka disclosed that the county is currently short of Sh20.5 billion to enable it to execute the Plan spanning from 2023 to 2027.
Speaking during the official launch at Kibabii University, Lusaka said the plan requires Sh97.6 billion to implement, against the County’s projection to raise Sh77.1 billion.
“We are, however, committed to robustly augmenting our internal revenue sources through fortified governmental structures, poised to escalate our revenue collection by more than 66 percent in the short term, with expectations of sustained growth that will substantially bridge the existing funding gap,” Lusaka affirmed.
Governor Lusaka’s developmental strategy emphasises the priority of concluding halted initiatives, among them the completion and equipping of the 300-bed and 100-bed maternity and paediatric units at the Bungoma County Referral Hospital and Sirisia Sub-County Hospital, respectively, as well as the modernization and expansion of the Masinde Muliro Stadium.
According to him, commissioning of the County Dairy Processing Plant in Webuye and the activation of the Chwele Chicken Slaughter House constitute pivotal objectives.
Lusaka has also earmarked completion of diverse stalled projects, such as the commissioning and completion of Brigadier Road in Tongaren and the 6.5-kilometre elevated dual carriageway from Kanduyi to Musikoma.
In the plan, Agriculture takes precedence as Governor Lusaka endeavours to initiate an all-encompassing agricultural programme through targeted farm input provisioning, extension service boosting, and all-inclusive farmer training.
“Our mission entails a reinvigoration of the county’s economic landscape, coordinating uninterrupted market and street lighting to foster a 24-hour economy for our business community,” says Lusaka.
“We are poised to extend trade loans and reignite the youth, women, and disability funds, thus equipping residents to embark on entrepreneurial ventures that promise sustainability,” assured the governor.
The plan, he added, would seamlessly integrate with the Sustainable Development Goals, Africa’s Agenda 2063, and the Fourth Medium Plan of Kenya Vision 2030.
The document is aligned with the national government’s strategic path, geared towards economic transformation and inclusive expansion, and through it, the county will enhance investments in micro, small, and medium enterprises.
The governor confirmed that Bungoma County lacks sufficient investment in industrialization zones, an aspect that weakens the county’s efforts at value addition.
“To spur growth, we are working with the national government to establish an industrial park to help achieve the infrastructural economies of scale and aggression,” Lusaka said.
Lusaka further reiterated the county’s commitment to take proactive measures against climate change and its repercussions, demonstrating dedication to climate resilience and endorsing sustainable practises as a means of mitigating the impacts of climate change in line with the stipulations of UN Sustainable Development Goal 13.
By Roseland Lumwamu and Levi Ndamwe
