Migori County Assembly approves Sh12.1bn budget

The Migori County Assembly has approved a supplementary budget worth Sh12.15 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year, with priority given to the health sector and the settlement of pending bills.

The Department of Health received the largest allocation, taking up Sh2.8 billion of the total budget endorsed by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

In the supplementary budget estimates, Migori County plans to allocate Sh12.15 billion to cover both recurrent and development programs.

Residents of Migori have welcomed the substantial funding directed towards the health sector, expressing hope for better healthcare services.

"This is a positive step, and we now expect improvements in health services across the county. We hope to find medicines and access essential services when we visit health facilities," said David Oketch, a resident of Migori town.

This comes amid ongoing challenges in the health sector, including shortages of drugs, water, and other essential services.

Graham Kagali, chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee in the county assembly, stated that the approved budget targets key issues such as healthcare improvements and the clearance of pending bills.

According to Kagali, the health department has faced numerous challenges.

He noted that the county government has already cleared Sh1.7 billion of the initial pending bills, leaving only Sh300 million outstanding.

The Budget Committee chair expressed confidence that Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s administration would promptly clear the remaining pending bills.

Kakrao Ward MCA Tobias Okelo, who chairs the Assembly’s Health Committee, highlighted that the budget includes provisions for the promotion of health workers.

"The supplementary budget will play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by the health department," said Okelo.

In the supplementary budget, the county assembly, Finance and Economic Planning received a similar amount received allocation of Sh1 billion.

The Environment department received Sh1.09 billion while the Roads and Transport department got Sh1.09 billion.

The public service sector was allocated Sh931.8 million, trade received Sh513.8 million, the county executive was granted Sh585.3 million, education got Sh658.1 million, agriculture was allocated Sh958.7 million, and water and energy received Sh686.9 million.

Public service was allocated Sh931.8 million, Trade Sh513.8 million, County executive Sh585.3 million, Education Sh658.1 million, Agriculture Sh958.7 million, and Water and energy Sh686.9 million.

The Lands and Physical Planning Department and the Office of the County Attorney emerged as the biggest casualties of the budget, receiving allocations of Sh213.5 million and Sh111.8 million respectively.