The Tharaka Nithi County Government has particular emphasis on development of the health sector as Governor Muthomi Njuki seeks to implement various projects captured in the 2018-2022 development plan.
Tharaka Nithi County Headquarters|Photo Courtesy
In drawing up the budget Njuki’s administration avers it has aligned its priorities to
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda which cover food security and nutrition, affordable housing, manufacturing and universal health coverage, and the national government’s medium-term plan.
According to the plan drawn by the Finance department, the priorities were identified at public consultative forums, to ensure the budget captures residents’ development aspirations.
Finance Executive Dorothy Igoki said the devolved unit wants to support the healthcare system and to protect the most vulnerable households, partly as a response to the challenges brought about by the Covid-19.
Ms Igoki said the aim is to enhance access to quality and affordable healthcare, improve agriculture for increased food production, improve the road network, provide safe and clean water and provide a conducive environment for business to thrive across the various sectors.
The health department received the biggest allocation compared to other departments, with Sh1.6 billion, of which Sh320m will be channeled to development for medical services and public health and sanitation.
Sh149.9m was set for expansion and upgrade of Marimanti, Magutuni and Chuka Level Five Hospital a while Sh19.6m is for improvement of infrastrcure in various health facilities across the county.
The amount was from a total of Sh5.51 billion, Sh4.21 being its equitable share from the central government and Sh945-88 conditional grants from the same source and own-source revenue of Sh350m.
Recurrent expenditure will gobble Sh3.5b or 64 percent of the total budget, and Sh1.9b (36 percent) channeled to development.
Agriculture was allocated Sh715.8m, most of which will be pumped to agriculture and cooperatives development. Sh144.4m from that budget will go to Livestock, Veterinary and Fisheries.
Sh217.7m is for recurrent, and Ms Igoki said the intention was in line with the government’s policy to have more resources for increased production.
One of the key actions was the allocation of Sh371.5m towards Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Programme, a partnership between Tharaka Nithi and the national government and World Bank.
Sh18.7m was given to support the Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme which covers bananas, indigenous poultry and dairy livestock value chains.
Farm inputs for farmers will use Sh35m, with green grams, maize and beans farmers earmarked to benefit.
Education received Sh363.2m out of which Sh278.2m is for advancement of education and vocational training.
The Youth, Sports, Tourism and Culture got Sh85m, part of which has been channeled towards the County Youth Empowerment Program where groups receive equipment to start businesses and expand existing ones.
Njuki’s administration has also placed emphasis on provision of water for domestic use and irrigation and for sanitation improvement.
The department got Sh162.4m with Sh52.2m going to fund recurrent expenses and Sh110.2m to development.
“These resources will be used for completing ongoing community water projects, irrigation projects and sustaining the harnessing of ground water,” Igoki stated.
Out of a Sh473m for the County Assembly, the department will spend Sh50m to construct a chamber and offices at Kathwana
