The Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly has approved a Sh10 billion budget for 2026/2027 financial year which includes Sh5.6 billion from the national treasury, Sh2 billion roll over funds and the rest from conditional grants.
Speaking after the budget approval, Benjamin Cheptiony MCA Kamariny ward, who is also chair to the budget and appropriations committee said Sh4.6 billion has been allocated to development expenditure while Sh 5.4 billion will cater for recurrent expenditure.
He expressed concern over the Sh 2 billion roll-over projects from the 2025/2026 financial year saying it has affected the development of the county as these were monies meant for implementation of various projects.
The chair said the executive attributed the delays to procurement challenges arising from the transition to the Electronic Government Procurement (eGP) system.
“The rollovers have affected development within the county because several projects were not implemented in the previous financial year and we hope this will change in the current financial year,” he said.
He added that the county plans to recruit 237 employees during this financial year as contained in the County Fiscal Strategic Paper with 92 being employed in the health sector, 100 as Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers and 45 as vocational training instructors.
He noted that the health sector received the largest share of Sh2.4 billion out of which Sh2.1billion will go towards salaries and emoluments with Iten County Referral Hospital and Kapsowar sub county hospital getting Sh100 million each for development while Tot sub county hospital was allocated Sh52 million.
The Soy South ward MCA Jonah Tanui said the assembly has also set aside funds for the implementation of county projects citing the construction of a new county assembly complex at a cost of over Sh100 million and the planned construction of the governor’s office and other county offices at a cost of Sh200 million.
Tanui further noted that the assembly had also allocated funds for ward flagship projects which will have more impact on the residents citing the construction of a coffee milling factory at Kabokbok in Soy South Ward, saying the project would benefit coffee farmers from Tambach, Emsoo, Soy North and Soy South among others.
“We are now implementing flagship projects that residents can see and appreciate. These investments will transform service delivery and support long-term development in the county,” he said.
The leaders expressed confidence that the approved budget will enhance service delivery, improve healthcare, create employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth across the county during the 2026/2027 financial year.
By Alice Wanjiru and June Jebet
