Residents of Kakamega County have raised concerns over the budget-making process 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 for the past four years with no tangible progress.
Other unfinished health facilities include Kakamega Level Six Hospital, the Iguhu and the Bukhungu Stadium, the Iguhu and Shamakhubu, several road 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 from Malava Constituency claimed that the Malava milk processing plant remained incomplete despite funds being allocated to 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 working on durability”, she complained.
During the Forum, the Kakamega County Government proposed a budget of 16.76 billion shillings for the 2026–2027 Financial Year, with 2.2 billion shillings projected to be collected under own-source revenue.
Of these, Sh13,1 billion is expected from shareable revenue and another Sh1.3 billion from donor funding.
The draft estimate consists of Sh11.58 billion allocated for recurrent expenditure, representing 69.1 percent and the remainder, Sh5.1 billion allocated to development projects, representing 30.9 percent.
Benjamin Andama, County Executive Committee Member for Finance, Economic Planning and ICT, said Public Service and Administration got Sh7.4 billion, followed by Health (Sh1.41 billion) and Roads, Public Works and Energy, (Sh1.3 billion).
He said Sh793 million will go to Water, Environment and Natural Resources, Sh721 million to Education, Science and Technology and Sh597 million 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 programs, water projects and climate resilience measures are among the major projects designated for funding.
Members of the public called on the County government to prioritize the completion of stalled and ongoing projects before initiating new ones, arguing 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 Chairperson Gildon Shioso however, 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.
By Nasiali Billy and Annlinda Simiyu
