Details of Sakaja’s Sh42.3 billion first budget

The school feeding programme and health department are the biggest beneficiaries in Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja‘s maiden budget.

Sakaja aims to collect Sh19.9 billion own source revenue in the Financial Year 2023-24.

The Sh42.3 billion new budget is an increase from Sh39.63 billion for the Financial year 2022/2023.

While making the budget statement reading on Thursday, CEC for Finance Charles Kerich stated that Sakaja’s Sh42.3 billion comprises Sh28.3 billion for recurrent and Sh14 billion for development expenditures.

“The financial year 2023/24 outlines the policy priorities of the County Government geared towards economic turnaround and inclusive growth, while at the same time navigating through restoring Order, Dignity Hope, and Opportunity for all,” Kerich said.

Ward Development Programme (WDF) is aimed at reducing disparities in resource allocation and development across all wards and has been allocated Sh1.9 billion.

For equipping and stocking of sufficient drugs and non-pharmaceuticals to the County Health Facilities, Sh 400 million has been allocated.

Sh1.1 billion has gone towards the construction, equipping and rehabilitation of Health Facilities to ensure affordable health services.

To enhance pedestrian safety and connectivity through the construction and rehabilitation of roads, street lighting, stormwater drainage and bridges, Sh2.6 billion has been allocated.

This will facilitate the implementation of the development projects in the Sector.

“The funds will also go towards the Completion of ongoing road works will be targeted as a key priority, together with rehabilitation of already completed works. I have allocated Sh2.6 billion to facilitate the implementation of the development projects in the Sector."

To support needy students through the provision of bursaries, the county has allocated sh 857 million for the provision of bursaries to needy students.

Out of this Sh.7Million will be allocated to every ward and the balance will be available to sponsor all continuing students under the Executive Scholarship Programme.

In order to develop talent among the youth, Kerich allocated Sh5.54 million for the construction and rehabilitation of stadiums which serves as Recreation Centres’ for the youth.

Sh 123.96 million has been allocated for the installation of greenhouses, water harvesting tanks, vertical vegetable gardens and the promotion of broiler farming.

CEC Kerich noted that the funds will also go towards enhancing food security among Nairobians.

"The County Government is taking deliberate measures to improve food production through the promotion of urban farming across the whole value chain. These measures include; the provision of extension services and training the youth on modern farming methods," he said.

The much-awaited School feeding programme for learners in public primary schools and ECD centres has been allocated Sh1 billion.

In his manifesto, Sakaja said he would establish a school feeding programme to ensure children in public schools get nutritious meals to keep them healthy and in school.

He pledged to build a central Food for Kids kitchen from which the meals would be distributed to the schools throughout the city for lunches.

Already, 10 kitchens are under construction in 10 sub-counties.

The County has targeted to feed about 250,000 children in the next financial year.

“This program will improve the nutritional status of the learners and also encourage students to attend school leading to increased enrollment, performance, and transition to higher levels of education,” Kerich said.

In the budget, Sh600 million has been allocated for tree planting exercises.

This is in a bid to restore Nairobi's green status.

At least 11,000 youths in Nairobi will be employed to participate in the tree-planting programme.

Sakaja had earlier revealed that the tree-planting programme will create opportunities for young people.

To support traders within the county to transact their business in a dignified manner, Sh 730 million for the construction of various markets while Sh50 million will go for the rehabilitation of markets.

For the relocation of informal traders from the main streets, Sh100 million has been allocated.

In his manifesto, Sakaja said his administration would not demolish markets or chase hawkers from their bases of operations.

He promised to construct 20 new markets across Nairobi including Ngara and ensure that every trader is allocated a space.

The construction of markets will aid in decongesting the existing markets which have been mostly affected by the infernos which have led to the loss of millions.

The county assembly has been allocated Sh3.25 billion for its operations, a drop from the Sh3.7 billion allocated in the last year.

The funds will enable the assembly to carry out functions like paying MCAs allowances, administration, renovations, staff salaries and maintenance, as well as exercise its roles which include approval of laws and oversight.