Health sector gets lion's share of Sh9.3b in Natembeya budget

Trans Nzoia’s Health Department will receive the largest share of the over Sh9.3 billion budget for this financial year. 

The County Assembly approved a budget of Sh9.3 billion for the upcoming fiscal year with the Health Department getting about 30 per cent of the money.

The budget estimates approved by the Assembly on Thursday amount to a total of Sh9,304,215,455. Of this, Sh3,084,870,204 is allocated for development expenditure while Sh6,219,345,251 is earmarked for recurrent expenditure.

Governor George Natembeya announced plans to boost health care services in the county.

Natembeya said Kitale County Hospital and Mt Elgon Hospital will be integrated to support the Wamalwa Kijana Referral Hospital.

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Speaking when he received a computerised surgical machine worth Sh11 million donated by well-wishers living abroad, Natembeya said most health facilities across the county are undergoing a facelift to improve service delivery.

The Health and Sanitation Department plans to complete and equip Wamalwa Kijana Teaching and Referral Hospital, install theatre equipment in sub-county hospitals, and introduce MRI and renal services to expand internal revenue streams.

The department received Sh122 million for development and over Sh2.5 billion for recurrent expenses, the highest in the budget.

Despite past revenue setbacks caused by staff strikes and Social Health Authority (SHA) disbursement delays, the department now plans to roll out automated billing systems and CCTV surveillance across health facilities to improve accountability.

The Department of Agriculture received Sh430 million, one of the largest development allocations.

The funds will support the distribution of certified maize seeds, pest and disease control programmes, and soil testing to boost food production.

Gender, Youth, Sports, Culture, and Tourism was allocated Sh379 million, with Sh231 million set aside for the ongoing construction of the Kenyatta Stadium.

The budget also includes funds for fencing the Kitale Museum and settling debts linked to the Bahati Rescue Centre.

With a development allocation of Sh595 million, the Finance Department will spearhead the rollout of audit software, a loan management system, and tools for revenue enhancement.