Makueni Members of the County Assembly have approved Sh9.8 billion budget estimates for the Financial Year (FY) 2022/2023.
The approved budget recorded a one percent increase from Sh9,763,795,153 in FY 2021/2022 to Sh9, 832, 783, 562 billion in the current financial year.
The county expects to receive Sh8.1billion from equitable share of revenue from the National Government, Sh850 million from conditional grants, and another Sh850 million from locally raised revenue.
Makueni County Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson Dennis Musyoka noted that the county is committed to generate more own source revenue to support development projects.
“As the county, we should fully automate revenue collection while also intensifying supervision and Institute Rapid Results initiative in collection of own source revenue,” noted Musyoka.
Out of Sh9, 832, 783, 562 billion budget, the county will spend Sh6.8 billion (69.32 per cent) on recurrent expenditure while Sh3 billion amounting to 30.68 per cent will be spent on development.
“The increase in the recurrent expenditure has been directed to support implementation of the county government strategic decision,” added Musyoka.
The health department received the largest share of Sh3.4 billion with 388,843 million going to development while Sh3.1 billion will cater for recurrent expenditure.
The health sector has prioritized upgrading health centres including Mavindi hospital and Mukuyuni sub-county hospital, and construction of Kitandi and Kanyungu dispensaries.
The Department of Education, Sports and ICT was allocated Sh733 million while the department of Transport, Roads and public works got Sh575 million.
The committee called upon the executive to fast-track implementation of community driven development projects to promote livelihoods of the citizens while also empowering the communities against Covid-19.
At the same time the Committee recommended the county should restrict new employment in order to reduce the ballooning wage bill which now stands at 46.39 per cent of the total budget estimates.
By Ronald Rono
