Uasin Gishu to focus on up scaling livelihoods, absoring Covid-19 effects in it’s 2021-22 budget.

The Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning CPA Julius Ruto is preparing to table a budget statement for the 2021/2022 Financial Year.

CPA Ruto says the statement is expected to be tabled at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly earlier as next week.

Already the budget estimates have been submitted to the Assembly as per the requirement of the law.

According to CPA Ruto, the budget statement for this financial year will focus on upscaling the lives of the locals and absorbing challenges that have been occasioned by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“The statement it will indicate the main focus of the budget considering that and we’ve come, and we are still under a difficult situation of the pandemic and its effects,” said the CECM.

“Our economical livelihoods have been affected negatively because of Covid-19 restrictions and dependency on local revenue has also been on limited areas,” he added.

Some of the key areas that the county will be focusing on, according to the CECM, is increasing bursary allocation from Ksh90 million to Ksh120 million, Inua Biashara Fund to support economic entities for small traders as well as allocation of more funds to support youths and women in agri-business through Inua Mama na Kuku and Inua Kijana na Acre Initiative.

“We are also looking at finalizing all our mega projects that were classified as media term expenditure plan projects where we will allocate more resources,” noted the Finance CECM who also revealed that in the 2021/22 FY, no new projects will be commissioned.

“We’re not commissioning any new projects but we want to complete what we have started,” said CPA Ruto who said they have already completed construction of Sub County and Ward offices, as well as the Burnt Forest Fire Station, which only needs further equipping.

The budget statement will also see more resources allocated towards the completion of Ziwa Level 5 Hospital which is at 50% complete and Kesses Sub County Hospital which is 60% complete.

To ensure farmers are able to take their produce to the markets easily, CPA Ruto revealed that at least Ksh400 million will be allocated towards supporting the infrastructure improvement, which will include, ensuring there are sufficient funds to facilitate regular road maintenance.

”We’re giving more energies to responding to Covid-19 issues and the big four agenda – universal health care, and sustainable food production, among others,” said the CPA.

Provision of clean water to households across the county will also get a share of the 2021/2022 budget.