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Kwale County has unveiled a proposed KSh 10.6 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, with a sharp focus on healthcare, road infrastructure, and water services, sectors deemed vital for residents’ livelihoods and long-term development.
The budget, reduced from KSh 12 billion last year due to financial constraints, comes as the county launches a public participation drive across all 20 wards to collect citizen feedback on development priorities.
Governor Fatuma Achani said the revised budget reflects a strategic reallocation of resources to the most impactful areas.
“In the face of budget cuts for the 2025-2026 financial year, we’ve chosen to protect what matters most: the health of our people, the roads that connect them, and the water that sustains them. That is how we build a resilient and dignified Kwale,” said Governor Achani.
Under her administration, the county has significantly scaled up service delivery with at least 178 health facilities constructed and equipped, while over 1,800 health workers have been employed to boost healthcare access across the region.
In the water sector, Kwale has drilled over 40 boreholes, constructed more than 40 dams, and rolled out at least 570 kilometers of pipeline extensions, increasing access to clean and reliable water for both domestic and agricultural use.
On road infrastructure, the county has upgraded over 2,000 kilometers of road networks, improving mobility, linking remote communities, and facilitating access to markets and essential services.
The public participation forums, spearheaded by the County Assembly, began earlier this week in Ramisi, Pongwe Kikoneni, Vanga, and Mkongani wards, and are scheduled to continue through Saturday, June 21.
Governor Achani underscored the importance of community engagement in budget-making.
“Public engagement is not just a constitutional requirement; it’s a moral obligation. Our people must have a say in the projects that affect their lives. We are committed to ensuring that every shilling is spent wisely,” she said.
Kwale’s commitment to transparency has not gone unnoticed. The county recently scored 83 points for its Annual Development Plan and a perfect 100 for its 2024 Finance Act in the County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS) conducted by Bajeti Hub.
County Assembly Budget Committee Chairperson Manza Beja emphasized that the public forums are not a formality but a critical step in shaping the final spending plan.
“These forums are not a formality; they are the backbone of our budgeting process. The voices we hear on the ground will directly shape the final budget. Every opinion matters because this is the people’s budget, and it must reflect their true priorities before we present it to the Assembly for approval,” said Beja.
According to the County Budget Committee chairperson, Patrick Yasisi, inclusive budgeting helps build public trust and reduce conflict between the community and elected leaders.
Hassan Kuchengwa and Zawadi Juma, residents in Tiwi Ward, praised the initiative, saying it marks a turning point in participatory governance.
“For a long time, we were completely sidelined. That’s why so many projects stalled or failed. Now, we finally have a platform to speak out and be heard,” said Kuchengwa.
Following the conclusion of the forums, the county government will consolidate public input and table the final budget estimates before the County Assembly for debate and approval.
