H.E. THE GOVERNOR TAKES MCAs AND COUNTY EXECUTIVES THROUGH BUDGET MAKING PROCESS

H.E. Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya today took members of the County Assembly’s Finance and Budget committees and county executives through the county government’s proposed budget for 2019/2020 financial year.

The governor who was speaking at a Kisumu hotel during the formal opening of a two-day AHADI sponsored budget workshop reiterated that the County government’s expenditure on wages and benefits will not exceed 35% of the total revenue in line with the Public Finance Management Act.

He pointed out that a budget is a wish list and items reflected on it as well as corresponding figures do not necessarily mean availability of money to undertake the tasks.
“Participants should distinguish between cash flow, budget, and implementation process as the three items are intimately related,” he said.

The governor added that the budget making process should be alive to the current County and National government development plans and goals including five year CIDPs, Vision 2030 and Medium Term Plans, the governor’s manifesto and emerging priorities at both levels of government.

During the financial year the County government will focus on flagship projects across key sectors of the economy such as Agriculture, Health, Roads, Education, Social Services and Water.

Some of the projects include Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital and Level 4 hospitals, Bukhungu Stadium, Farm inputs subsidy programme, smart farms, dairy and tea factories, tarmacking of roads and related upgrades, County Youth Service and Women Empowerment, Water and Electricity Supply projects.

It is estimated that the total budget for the period tops Shs.14.8 Billion with a possibility of an additional Shs. 1 Billion. It is assumed that revenue sources will be optimized besides the equitable revenue sharing; these include own revenue sources and conditional grants, among others.

Later, the governor fielded questions from Hon. MCAs ranging from ECD projects, bursaries, ward development funds, employment opportunities for people living with disabilities and the Assembly’s oversight role.

Also present were the Deputy Governor, H.E. Prof. Philip Museve Kutima, the CECM for Finance and Planning, Mr. Geoffrey Omulayi, CECMs, Majority Leader, Hon. Joel Ongoro, Minority Leader, Hon. David Ndakwa, the chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee, Hon. Willis Opuka, his Finance and Planning Committee counterpart, Hon. David Ikunza, chief officers, the Chairperson of the County Public Service Board, Madam Rodah Masaviru, the County Secretary, Madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, the Chief of Staff, Mr. Robert Sumbi and PA to the governor, Mr. Herbert Sore.