The Nandi County Government has unveiled a Sh3.89 billion development budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, with major investments earmarked for health, education, roads, water, agriculture, and other key sectors aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents across the county’s 30 wards.
Speaking during the budget reading at the County Assembly, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning CPA Alfred Lagat described the proposed budget as the most ambitious in the county’s history, noting that it reflects the administration’s commitment to accelerating development and enhancing service delivery.
Lagat said the county government has prioritized projects that directly impact residents, particularly in the health sector where substantial allocations have been made to improve infrastructure, equipment, and healthcare services.
According to the finance docket, Sh43 million has been allocated for equipping the Mother and Child Health Unit at Kapsabet County Referral Hospital. The facility is also expected to benefit from an additional Sh352 million under the Kenya Devolution Support Programme Phase II, specifically targeted at equipping the unit and strengthening maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
The county has also set aside Sh100 million for the completion and equipping of Chepterwai, Kobujoi, Kapseng’ere, Taito, and Mogobich hospitals to ensure the facilities become fully operational and capable of serving the surrounding communities effectively.
Other allocations within the health sector include Sh14 million for the completion of Chepterwai Sub-County Hospital in Mosop, Sh7.7 million for equipping the theatre at Nandi Hills Sub-County Hospital, Sh6 million for the construction of male and female wards at Kibwareng Health Centre, Sh7 million for renovation works at Meteitei Sub-County Hospital, and Sh4 million for equipping the maternity unit at Kaborok Health Centre in Terik Ward.
To enhance service delivery, the county has further allocated Sh150 million for the procurement of medical drugs, laboratory reagents, and renal unit supplies. Community Health Promoters will also benefit from Sh96.6 million set aside for stipends aimed at strengthening grassroots healthcare services.
“I wish to assure the residents of Nandi County that this government remains firmly on course in delivering its development promise. The financial year 2026/2027 budget is our most ambitious yet, dedicating a significant proportion of our total resources to development expenditure,” said Lagat.
He noted that the county continues to strengthen healthcare financing mechanisms, adding that facility-generated revenue is projected at Sh816 million for Level Four hospitals and Sh100 million for primary healthcare facilities.
Lagat further revealed that 63 percent of Nandi residents have already registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA), with the county targeting an 80 percent registration rate to enhance access to healthcare and mobilize additional resources.
In the education sector, the county has allocated substantial resources to improve learning conditions and support vulnerable learners. A total of Sh120 million has been earmarked for the county bursary programme to assist needy students in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Additionally, Sh90 million has been allocated for the Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) milk feeding programme, while Sh134 million will support the recruitment of ECDE teachers and payment of their commuter allowances.
The county has also set aside Sh92 million for the Nandi County ECDE uniform programme, Sh20 million for the provision of learning materials, and Sh25 million as capitation grants for Vocational Training Colleges (VTCs). Ward-level education infrastructure projects, including construction and renovation of learning facilities, will receive Sh255.6 million.
“I have made substantial allocations in this sector that reflect our unwavering commitment to quality, inclusive, and accessible education for all learners in Nandi County,” Lagat stated.
The transport, public works, and infrastructure sector also received significant funding. Lagat announced that Sh75 million has been allocated for leasing and hiring road construction equipment to facilitate grading and gravelling of roads across the county.
An additional Sh26 million has been earmarked for the acquisition of cabro-making machines in sub-counties, while Sh20 million will cater for fuel required to operate road construction machinery. Emergency bridge and culvert construction will receive Sh10 million, while Sh4 million has been allocated for road surveying and demarcation.
Lagat described roads as critical drivers of economic growth and social development, noting that improved infrastructure will facilitate trade, access to markets, and delivery of services.
“I have made bold allocations in this sector recognizing that roads are the arteries of our economy and the lifeline of every community in Nandi. I am particularly proud to report that ward-based road projects will receive an allocation of Sh458.27 million, the single largest ward-level allocation to a department in this budget,” he said.
The agriculture and cooperative development sector also features prominently in the proposed budget. The department will receive Sh105 million under the World Bank-funded National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project and Sh81.24 million under the IFAD-funded Integrated Natural Resources Management Programme.
To support crop diversification and value addition, Sh30 million has been allocated for the purchase and distribution of coffee seedlings, while Sh25 million will facilitate the acquisition of coffee pulping machines. Livestock farmers will benefit from Sh15 million for vaccines, Sh10 million for acaricides, and Sh10 million for subsidized artificial insemination services.
Further allocations include Sh10 million for operationalization of the feed processing plant in Kobujoi, Sh15 million for acquisition of lorries to support maize and feed milling operations, and Sh12 million for the purchase and distribution of avocado seedlings.
“At the ward level, I have allocated Sh53.10 million for agricultural projects covering cattle dip construction and rehabilitation, milk cooling plants, coffee seedling distribution, and agricultural inputs,” Lagat added.
Other departments that received allocations under the proposed budget include Lands, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; Trade, Tourism, Industrialization and Enterprise Development; Sports, Youth Affairs, Culture and Heritage; Administration and Public Service; Gender and Social Welfare; and the County Assembly.
The county’s total projected budget for the 2026/2027 financial year stands at Sh11.11 billion. Of this amount, the County Executive will receive Sh10.33 billion while the County Assembly has been allocated Sh781.88 million.
The proposed budget now awaits deliberation and approval by the County Assembly before implementation.
by Ruth Mainye
