Kitui County Allocates Sh 3.8 Billion to Health Sector for Fiscal Year 2024-2025Uasin Gishu County Strikes Sh 302 Million Deal to Enhance Avocado Exports
KITUI – The government of Kitui County has earmarked Sh 3.8 billion for its health sector out of a total budget estimate of Sh 12.643 billion for the fiscal year 2024-2025. The allocation is aimed at enhancing healthcare services throughout the county. This significant investment in health is part of the county’s broader strategy to improve service delivery and promote sustainable development across various sectors.
According to Kenya News Agency, the budget will be financed through an equitable share of Sh 11.188 billion from the National Treasury, Sh 855 million from grants, and Sh 600 million from the county’s own source revenue. In addition to health, the budget outlines allocations for other critical sectors: the County Governor’s office will receive Sh 2.1 billion, while the Roads and Education sectors have been allocated Sh 1 billion and Sh 930 million, respectively. The County Assembly is set to receive Sh 1.1 billion, and the Agriculture sector will get Sh 789 million, among other allocations.
During a public participation forum on the County fiscal strategy paper for 2024/2025 held in Kitui Town, Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani emphasized the forum’s role in enhancing service delivery, prioritizing key investments, and fostering inclusive growth under the development theme ‘The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda for Inclusive Growth.’ The strategy paper outlines the county government’s policy programs for the medium-term period of 2024/2025 to 2026/2027, establishing direct linkages between policies, plans, and budgets.
The budget estimates report further details the allocation for the Office of the Governor at Sh 2,179,203,223, which will support education through the pro-poor support program, infrastructure development, and renovation, among other initiatives. The Office of the Deputy Governor has been allocated Sh 185,071,878 to enhance the management of emergencies, decision-making, ICT infrastructure, and the completion and operationalization of tourist attractions such as Mutomo Reptile Park, Nzambani Park, Ikoo Valley, Kalundu Eco Park, and game reserves.
Additionally, the water sector has been allocated Sh 572,658,659 to improve water supply for both domestic and commercial use across Kitui County. This includes drilling and equipping boreholes, constructing mega and small earth dams, extending water pipes, and promoting irrigation schemes.
UASIN GISHU – The Uasin Gishu county government, in a collaborative move with the British High Commission, has secured a Sh 302 million investment aimed at bolstering avocado exportation alongside passion fruit and edible oil production. This investment, facilitated through the Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) program, paves the way for the establishment of a new packing house, promising significant economic growth and investment attraction in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the investment agreement was finalized during a meeting with Dr. Dominic Biwott, the North Rift Advisor Program of the British High Commissioner, and representatives from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC). Dr. Bii expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, highlighting it as a major advancement for avocado farmers within the county. He assured that his administration would support the farmers by providing necessary seedlings to foster the initiative’s success.
The governor revealed that Fresh Product, the company selected to spearhead the operation, is expected to commence its activities in Eldoret within the next six months. This development follows a thorough market sourcing exercise conducted by PWC, aimed at identifying the most suitable investor for the project.
In addition to the packing house for avocados and passion fruits, Dr. Bii mentioned ongoing efforts to attract investors for a Maize Milling project and a Potato Cold Store, further diversifying the county’s agricultural investment portfolio. He expressed gratitude towards the British High Commission, the Sustainable Urban Economic Development Program, and PWC for their support and collaboration in bringing this investment to fruition.