Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has received a major boost in his bid to roll out community-centered development projects after the County Assembly approved a Sh10.8 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year.

The endorsement comes as a relief for the county administration, which has faced growing pressure to deliver tangible results.

The budget prioritizes road maintenance, water supply, healthcare, market infrastructure, boda-boda sheds, and Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers all aimed at improving public service delivery.

Speaking to journalists on June 24, County Assembly Speaker Christopher Rusana praised the budget as people-driven, noting an increase in allocations toward grassroots development.

“After thorough scrutiny, we found it to be a people-based budget. The portion allocated to development, especially community projects, has grown,” said Mr. Rusana.

South Sakwa MCA and Majority Leader Ken Ouma echoed the sentiment, saying ward representatives were fully committed to ensuring the proposed projects are implemented.

“Approximately 94 per cent of the 2024/2025 community projects have been completed. The current implementation rate stands at 95 per cent,” Ouma noted, adding that MCAs are now focused on ensuring continued delivery.

The budget allocates Sh700 million specifically to ward-level initiatives, with roads receiving the largest share at 52.2 per cent, followed by water and energy at 20.4 per cent, and health projects at 8.5 per cent.

To address legacy debts, Sh227.46 million has been set aside for the clearance of pending bills.

Out of the total Sh10.8 billion budget, Sh6.66 billion (61.5%) will go toward recurrent expenditure, while Sh4.17 billion (38.5%) is earmarked for development.

The county projects to fund the budget through Sh8.39 billion from the national equitable share, Sh1.67 billion in conditional grants, and Sh760 million from locally generated revenue.

The health sector remains the top priority, receiving Sh2.72 billion, while the roads department follows with an allocation of Sh1.23 billion.

The county government now hopes that with resources in place, service delivery will improve, and residents will begin to feel the impact of devolution at the grassroots.