Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has officially signed the county’s 2025/2026 budget into law, signaling a renewed commitment to efficient service delivery and the completion of key development projects. The signing ceremony, held at the Governor’s Boardroom at the County Headquarters, was attended by Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, County Solicitor James Mukabi, and Budget Committee Chair Patrick Ahwali, among other top county officials.
Governor Ottichilo stressed the need for timely execution of both ongoing and inherited projects, emphasizing that all initiatives must reflect the priorities raised by citizens during public participation forums. “This budget mostly caters for pending bills,” he said, adding that the county continues to grapple with financial constraints, particularly in the education sector, where capitation remains a major challenge due to the growing number of learners.
The County Solicitor, James Mukabi, facilitated the legal procedures and received the finalized document for formal publication after the Governor’s assent.
Budget Committee Chair Patrick Ahwali highlighted key allocations in the approved budget. The health sector emerged as a top priority, with KSh 7.5 million allocated to Level 3 hospitals across all 25 wards. These funds will be used to procure essential drugs and install WiFi routers in support of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) rollout. Additionally, KSh 200 million has been earmarked for drug procurement in Level 4 hospitals.
In the education sector, KSh 22 million has been allocated to clear long-standing salary arrears for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers. This is expected to stabilize the ECDE workforce and enhance early learning outcomes across the county.
Deputy Governor Kitiezo urged the county to explore innovative revenue generation strategies, including fostering partnerships with the private sector. He also supported the County Assembly’s proposal to construct a modern legislative plaza to improve service delivery and legislative operations.
The passage and signing of the budget represent a significant milestone in Vihiga’s fiscal journey, aiming to address pressing financial obligations and catalyze development across key sectors in the upcoming financial year.
