The Bungoma County Government has tabled a record KSh16.7 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year before the County Assembly, setting the stage for intense debate among Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
Despite being the largest budget ever proposed by the county administration, a section of MCAs has raised concerns that the spending plan does not adequately address the needs of ordinary residents and may fail to deliver meaningful development at the grassroots level.
The concerns emerged shortly after a more than two-hour Assembly session convened to deliberate on the budget estimates.
Addressing the media after the session, Budget Committee Chairperson and Khasoko Ward MCA Benjamin Ostiula, accompanied by several MCAs, questioned some of the allocations contained in the proposed budget and called for greater accountability in the use of public resources.
Among the leaders who expressed reservations was Bungoma County Assembly Deputy Speaker and Mitua-Soysambu Ward MCA Steven Wamalwa, who accused the county government of overlooking key priorities affecting residents, particularly young people.
Wamalwa argued that some provisions in the budget could expose public funds to misuse if not properly scrutinized and justified before approval.
Majority Leader Joseph Nyongesa also voiced concerns over several allocations, saying some expenditures had been proposed without sufficient explanation.
He specifically pointed to funds earmarked for the purchase of land for the proposed Matulo Airstrip in Webuye West Constituency, saying the Assembly needed more details before approving the allocation.
The proposed airstrip project has emerged as one of the key issues likely to dominate discussions as MCAs continue scrutinizing the budget.
The Assembly is expected to reconvene on Thursday afternoon to continue deliberations before taking a vote on whether to approve, amend, or reject the proposed budget estimates.
The outcome of the debate will determine how Bungoma County allocates and spends its resources in the 2026/2027 financial year.
If approved, the KSh16.7 billion budget will become the largest spending plan in the county’s history, making the ongoing scrutiny by MCAs a crucial process in ensuring public funds are allocated prudently and in a manner that benefits residents.
