BUDGET COMMITTEE CONDUCTS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON THE COUNTY FISCAL STRATEGY PAPER,2024.
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Monday, March 18, 2024
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The County Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriations today engaged members of the public drawn from all the six sub-counties on the proposed Siaya County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), 2024.
The 2024 County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP) is the second primary fiscal policy to be prepared under Governor Orengo’s administration. It outlines the priority programs and policies that the County Government intends to implement in the 2024/25 Financial Year and in the medium term. It also sets out the amount of funds it has dedicated towards those programs to achieve its priorities within the context of limited resources.
At the ACK Cathedral Church in Alego-Usonga Sub-County, members of the public present underscored the need for the County Government to make deliberate efforts to invest in agriculture, livestock and fisheries development to ensure there is food self-sufficiency and security.
Amongst other things, members of the public from Ugenya Sub-County who gathered at Ukwala Town Hall articulated the need to increase bursary allocation from the proposed Ksh. 120 million to Ksh.150 million to help carter for the increased enrollment in schools. They however appreciated the County Government’s proposal to improve the Ukwala Sub-County Hospital and the installation of back-up generators to the tune of Ksh. 39 million saying it will help in the preservation of medical samples and medicines and eliminate the disruption of patient care.
At Sawagongo ACK Church in Gem Sub-County, members of the public questioned the rationale behind the proposal of a new county headquarters to be built in Siaya and proposed that the money should be re-allocated towards the provision of fertilizer subsidy and improved farm inputs. They further raised concerns over the quality of roads done in Gem Sub-County.
At the Bondo County Hall, members of the public underscored the need for the County Government of Siaya to address the perpetual water shortage in the town and requested for water schemes to be rehabilitated and supply capacity enhanced.
They further requested the County Government to allocate funds towards the acquisition of disaster management equipment, solid waste management machines and the construction of dump sites. The members echoed the need to relook at the sewerage system and treatment of wastes at points of discharge.
Ugunja residents gave a thumbs up to the proposal to construct and equip a maternity theatre complex and laboratory at Sigomere Hospital at Ksh. 20 million.
In Rarieda Sub-County, members of the public who gathered at Aram Market put emphasis on the need to focus on food production through enriched allocation to fish farming, processing and marketing.
They thanked the County Government for muraming the Aram market ring road and the modern latrine that is still under construction. They called on the County Government to equip the Sub-County Hospital, work on the culverting of Kokara – Nyamboyo road and allocate funds towards the employment of the ECDE teachers.
Having received views from members of the public, the Committee, under the leadership of Hon. Sylvester Madialo, is expected to prepare a report on the document for consideration by the House.
