Kwale – Kwale County has unveiled a revised KSh 10.6 billion budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, prioritizing healthcare, road infrastructure, and water services. The allocation, down from KSh 12 billion last year, reflects tighter fiscal space and shifting focus to essential public services.
Governor Fatuma Achani confirmed the new budget during the county’s ongoing public participation drive. She said the plan aligns with local needs and underscores the importance of safeguarding services that directly affect livelihoods.
“In the face of budget cuts, we’ve chosen to protect what matters most the health of our people, the roads that connect them, and the water that sustains them,” said Achani during a forum in Mkongani Ward. “That is how we build a resilient and dignified Kwale.”
The county has expanded its healthcare system significantly under Achani’s administration. To date, Kwale has constructed 178 health facilities and hired over 1,800 health workers to increase access to care in both urban and remote areas.
In the water sector, the county has drilled 40 boreholes, built 40 dams, and laid over 570 kilometers of pipeline. These efforts aim to provide clean, reliable water for household and agricultural use.
Road development remains a key pillar of the county’s growth strategy. Kwale has upgraded more than 2,000 kilometers of roads to link rural communities, ease access to services, and support economic activity.
The county launched public forums this week in Ramisi, Vanga, Pongwe Kikoneni, and Mkongani, inviting residents to contribute directly to the final budget draft. The process will continue through June 21.
“Public engagement is not just a legal requirement—it’s a moral obligation,” said Achani. “Citizens deserve a voice in the projects that affect their daily lives.”
Transparency and accountability in budget processes have earned Kwale national recognition. According to the County Budget Transparency Survey by Bajeti Hub, Kwale scored 83 points for its Annual Development Plan and a perfect 100 for its 2024 Finance Act.
County Assembly Budget Committee Chairperson Manza Beja emphasized the weight of citizen feedback. “These forums are not symbolic. They shape the budget. We are taking every submission seriously before we present the final document to the Assembly.”
Committee member Patrick Yasisi added that inclusive planning reduces tension between residents and elected officials, building trust and cooperation.
Residents welcomed the forums as a turning point. Hassan Kuchengwa from Tiwi said past frustrations came from being shut out of key decisions. “Now we finally have a platform to speak out and be heard,” he said. Zawadi Juma, also from Tiwi, described the engagement as “the first time government has truly listened.”
Once the consultations end, the county government will consolidate the feedback and present the revised estimates to the County Assembly for debate and approval. The budget will define Kwale’s development path over the next year, shaped by those it’s meant to serve.
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