Kakamega County residents have raised concerns over the budget making and project implementation, pointing out that despite repeated budgetary allocations, many projects remain incomplete.

During a public participation forum on the 2026/2027 Financial Year Budget, participants cited the stalled Malava Milk Processing Plant in Malava Town that has remained in abeyance for the past four years with no tangible progress.

Other unfinished health facilities include Kakamega Level Six Hospital, the Iguhu Hospital and Bukhungu Stadium, Iguhu-Shamakhuvu road and several roads projects, among others.

The residents drawn from the 14 sub-counties expressed frustrations that, while they give their views during public participation, they are often disregarded by the county executive when the final budgets are finally drafted.

Hudson George, a resident of Malava Constituency pointed that the Malava Milk Processing Plant remained incomplete despite funds having been allocated for the project in the past three years.

Youth’s representative Shilla Okumbi expressed disappointment that contractors awarded county government contracts were doing shoddy jobs, citing poor road workmanship and non-working fire engines.

“Contractors have turned roads into perishable products. They are not considering on durability,” she complained.

During the forum, the Kakamega County government proposed a budget of Ksh16.76 billion for the 2026-2027 Financial Year, with Ksh2.2 billion projected to be collected under own-source revenue.

Of this amount, Ksh13.1 billion is expected from shareable revenue and another Ksh1.3 billion from donor funding.

The draft estimates consist of Ksh11.58 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure, representing 69.1 percent and the remainder, Sh5.1 billion allocated to development projects, representing 30.9 per cent.

County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT Benjamin Andama said public service and administration got Ksh7.4 billion, followed by health Ksh1.41 billion and roads, public works and energy was allocated Kshh1.3 billion.

He said Ksh793 million will be allocated to water, environment and natural resources, Ksh721 million to education, science and technology and Ksh597 million was given to agriculture. 

The completion and provisioning of Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, the building of Shianda Level IV Hospital, the development of road infrastructure, bursary programmes, water projects and climate resilience measures are among the major projects designated for funding.

Members of the public demanded that the county government prioritise the completion of stalled and ongoing projects before initiating new ones. They observed that delayed projects deny residents the intended benefits and reduce value for money.

Representing persons with disabilities (PWDs) Patrick Amalemba called for the full implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act (2025) to promote and protect the rights of persons living with disabilities.

County Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Gildon Shioso assured residents that all views collected during the public participation exercise would be considered and incorporated into the committee’s report for presentation before the county assembly.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Nasiali Billy and Annlinda Simiyu