Kitui, June 19, 2024 — The Kitui County Assembly has unanimously approved the budget estimates for the 2024/25 fiscal year. This decision, reached on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, follows the provisions of Section 131(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, in conjunction with Standing Order No. 186(3).
In presenting the motion, Hon. Zacchaeus Syengo, Chairperson of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, highlighted the total budget submission of Kshs. 12,702,160,932. “Mr. Speaker Sir, the budget for FY 2024/2025 is proposed to be financed through an equitable share of Kshs. 10,990,205,956, grants of Kshs. 1,111,954,976, and our own source revenue of Kshs. 600,000,000,” stated Hon. Syengo.
He further noted that following the approval of the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), which added Kshs. 9 billion to the counties, Kitui County’s equitable share increased by Kshs. 254,116,506 to a total of Kshs. 11,244,322,462. Consequently, the proposed resource envelope to finance the 2024/25 budget has been adjusted to Kshs. 12,956,277,438.
Hon. Syengo mentioned that the grants are detailed in the County Government Additional Allocation Bill (CGAAB), 2024, currently under consideration by the National Parliament. “The actual grants will be confirmed once the bill is approved,” he added.
Hon. Cate Kalenga, Vice Chairperson of the County Budget and Appropriations Committee, seconded the motion, stressing the budget’s alignment with the needs of Kitui residents. “Mr. Speaker, this budget is for the people of Kitui and must respond to their needs,” said Hon. Kalenga.
The health ministry received the largest allocation of Kshs. 3,852,172,162, representing 30% of the total budget. The Office of the Governor followed with Kshs. 2,032,933,603. Other significant allocations include the Ministry of Education, Training, and Skills Development at Kshs. 1,043,425,266 and the County Assembly at Kshs. 1,100,630,000.
Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) praised the Budget Committee for delivering a balanced budget. They also commended the committee for increasing road widening and dozing works from 5 km to 10 km per ward, road grading from 40 km to 60 km per ward, and the County Local Infrastructure Development Programme (CLIDP) allocation from Kshs. 710 million to Kshs. 750 million.
Speaker Hon. Kevin Kinengo Katisya expressed gratitude to the assembly for passing the budget and encouraged active participation in Assembly business. He assured them of his support in ensuring the budget’s full implementation by the county executive for the benefit of Kitui residents.
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