Nyeri to Allocate Sh1.6 Billion for Development Projects

NYERI — The County Government of Nyeri has announced plans to allocate at least Sh1.6 billion for the completion of various development projects across its eight sub-counties during the remainder of the 2023/2024 financial year. This significant financial injection aims to enhance key infrastructure and social utility facilities, including markets and hospitals.

According to Kenya News Agency, the funds will also be used for the renovation of milk processing plants and upgrading rural roads. These initiatives are expected to improve the transit of agricultural products from farms to markets. The Governor’s statement detailed a wide array of projects, including the completion of the Karatina Level Hospital emergency block, renovation of hospitals, sports equipment, stadium upgrades, the completion of the Kairuthi Milk plant, and disaster response equipment.

The Office of the Chief Officer, Economic Planning and Budgeting, reported that the county spent Sh89,248,853 on development projects and Sh1,092,421,717 on recurrent expenditures during the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year. In contrast, the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o recently highlighted ten counties, including Nairobi and Machakos, that had not allocated funds for development, focusing entirely on recurrent expenditures.

Kahiga praised his staff and the Nyeri County Assembly for their contributions, which have led to the county being recognized as a top performer in governance and revenue collection. He noted that Nyeri had the best road network, education system, and the lowest pending bills. The county’s achievements in governance and revenue collection have been particularly notable, with a collection of 76.3 percent of its projected source revenue.

The Governor also emphasized the strong collaboration between the executive and the County Assembly, which has resulted in a Sh735 million allocation for development projects across 300 wards. These projects span various sectors, including roads, streetlights, classrooms, dispensaries, bridges, and agricultural programs.

Reflecting on his administration’s first year, Kahiga listed improvements in agriculture, education, health, and infrastructure as key achievements. He attributed the clearance of all pending bills owed to suppliers and the retention of 30 percent of the total budget for development purposes to sound fiscal discipline in his administration.