Residents of Kakamega County Reject 2024/2025 Budget Proposal Over Transparency Concerns

By Jael Sada 

The residents of Kakamega County have rejected the county's budget proposals for the fiscal year 2024/2025, citing a lack of transparency in the allocation of funds, particularly within certain ministries and the governor's office.

During a public participation forum in Kakamega, residents raised serious concerns over the Ksh 16.4 billion budget. A significant point of contention was the allocation of Ksh 165 million for renting ambulances, which the residents argued would be better spent on purchasing them.

Leading the call for greater transparency, Paul Odongo, a resident of Kakamega County, criticized the decision to hire ambulances, labeling it a scapegoat for money laundering. He argued that purchasing ambulances would be a more transparent option for the residents of Kakamega County.

"The committee should eliminate the hiring of ambulances, as it paves the way for corruption. Instead, they should consider purchasing ambulances," he said.

Samuel Okunda, a member of a local civil society organization, emphasized the need for genuine public participation in the budgeting process. "The process should be transparent and involve real public participation, not just public confirmation," Okunda asserted, echoing the community's demand for accountability.

In response to these allegations, Gildon Shioso, chairman of the budget committee and representative of Butsotso South Ward, acknowledged the concerns and admitted the presence of defects in the proposed budget. Shioso assured the public that these issues would be addressed before the budget's final approval.

"We recognize the existence of flaws in the budget proposal and are committed to resolving them before it is passed," Shioso stated.

Shioso defended the budget by highlighting several key ongoing projects within the county, including the Kakamega Referral Hospital, Bukhungu Stadium, and the Malava Dairy Factory. He emphasized that completing these projects would take priority over starting new ones.

"Our priority is to complete existing projects to ensure resources are not wasted and the intended benefits are fully realized," Shioso added.

According to the proposed budget by the county government of Kakamega, the allocations are as follows:

- County Assembly: Ksh 1.4 billion

- Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives: Ksh 735.7 million

- Health Services: Ksh 1.7 billion

- Education, Science, and Technology: Ksh 872.5 million

- Roads, Public Works, and Energy: Ksh 1.4 billion

- Lands, Housing, Urban Areas, and Physical Planning: Ksh 409.3 million

- Social Services, Youth, and Sports: Ksh 890 million

- Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism: Ksh 379.3 million

- Water, Environment, and Natural Resources: Ksh 596.6 million

- Public Service and Administration: Ksh 6.9 billion

- Office of the Governor: Ksh 310 million

- Finance and Economic Planning: Ksh 558.8 million

- County Public Service Board: Ksh 29.1 million

- ICT, E-governance, and Communication: Ksh 135.1 million

Total: Ksh 16,405,736,766

The residents' feedback and the budget committee's response will likely shape the final version of the budget before its approval.