Kiambu Assembly Passes Sh25.17 Billion Budget, Prioritising Roads, Health and Markets

The Kiambu County Assembly has approved a Sh25.17 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, paving the way for increased investment in roads, healthcare, education, trade, and market infrastructure across the county.

The budget estimates were approved during a sitting chaired by Speaker Hon. Charles M. Thiong’o following a motion moved by Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairperson Hon. Josephine Muongi (MCA, Limuru Central Ward) and seconded by Hon. Julius Kahura (MCA, Kiganjo Ward).

Members also passed the Appropriations Bill, which operationalises the budget, and approved an additional Sh8 million Emergency Fund report.

The approved budget comprises projected own-source revenue of Sh8.59 billion and recurrent expenditure of Sh16.6 billion, bringing the total budget to Sh25.17 billion.

Presenting the committee’s report, Hon. Muongi said the budget prioritises key sectors including transport, health, education and trade to spur economic growth and improve service delivery.

She noted that the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2026/27 financial year were tabled before the Assembly on May 22, 2026, in line with the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act and the Assembly’s Standing Orders.

The estimates were subsequently committed to the Budget and Appropriations Committee and relevant sectoral committees for review and recommendations.

According to Hon. Muongi, the committee consulted the County Treasury, received submissions from sectoral committees and the Clerk of the County Assembly, and conducted public participation forums across all 12 sub-counties. Residents’ views were incorporated into the final budget recommendations.

“Subject to the approval of this Assembly, these recommendations shall form the basis for the enactment of the Appropriation Act for the Financial Year 2026/2027,” said Hon. Muongi.

Majority Leader Hon. Godfrey Waiyaki (MCA, Kalimoni Ward) welcomed the budget, saying it addresses pending bills and significantly boosts funding for access roads.

“On the issue of pending bills, the Finance and Economic Department has committed to make payments on pending bills with a commitment of KSh1 billion for the FY 2026/2027. We have also allocated a substantial amount of money for access roads across the county,” he said.

Hon. Peter Njoroge (MCA, Karuri Ward) praised the increased allocation to road infrastructure, saying it would facilitate the construction and improvement of more access roads across wards. However, he expressed concern over delays in project implementation by the County Executive.

“I congratulate the Budget Committee for allocating more resources to roads. This will help us construct more kilometres of access roads in each ward, but I am calling upon the Executive to implement this budget without prolonged delays,” he said.

Murera Ward MCA Hon. Moses Ngatha welcomed the inclusion of market construction projects and the planned upgrade of Mugutha Hospital to a Level Three facility.

“We have been considered for market construction in my ward for the first time, and the upgrading of Mugutha Hospital will have a great impact on my people,” he said.

However, Ngatha raised concerns about the county’s ambitious own-source revenue targets, warning that increased licensing fees could burden small businesses. He urged the county government to review the matter during supplementary budgeting and fast-track procurement processes for development projects.

Other MCAs, led by Minority Leader Hon. Joe Kigara (Ng’enda Ward) and Hon. John Muthondu (Kihara Ward), also raised concerns over delays in implementing ward development projects, pending bills and bursary disbursements.

Hon. Hezron Mwangi (Riabai Ward) attributed the delays to procurement and financial bottlenecks within the County Executive.

“The Finance and Economic Planning Department has been doing a great job, but procurement and finance challenges are stalling projects at the implementation stage,” he said.

Hon. Francis Koina (Kiambu Township Ward) called for the speedy settlement of pending bills, arguing that delayed payments were hurting investors and suppliers doing business with the county.

“We need to settle pending bills across all departments because we are affecting people who invest in this county, and we must protect them,” he said.

The approved budget now moves to the implementation stage through the Appropriation Act, with county leaders expressing optimism that the allocations will accelerate development projects and improve service delivery across Kiambu County.