Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has allocated Sh1.2 billion towards ward development in the region this financial year.
This translates to Sh20 million each for all the 60 wards in the county.
The governor, who is also the Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs Committee chairperson at the Council of Governors, said the Ward Development Fund would see each county receive sh20 million this financial year.
Speaking on Wednesday, Barasa called for the enhancement of resources available in counties to enable the various administrations to provide much-needed services to the people.
He said Kakamega county is among a few counties with a fully-fledged independent revenue collection agency, which supports the revenue collection and management of the county affairs.
“For us, we have an independent agency which helps us collect and manage our revenue which in part enables us to fund development. But county governments need more resources if they are to provide effective services," the governor said.
Barasa urged leaders in the region to cooperate in order to be able to fully benefit from devolution and have the same benefits trickle down to the people who elected them into office.
“The way devolution has been structured, every county must benefit from the national cake but then it will take effort and hard work from leaders for that to happen. Nothing comes easy and so let’s work," he said.
The governor pledged to ensure his six-point transformation agenda for Kakamega is delivered with a clear focus on health, hygiene and sanitation.
“There is already a plan in motion to improve access to health services and upgrade most health facilities to level 4 and prioritise public healthcare investment to control disease outbreaks," the county chief said.
He said his administration was partnering with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and Bukura Agricultural Training College with a view to improve agricultural practices in the county to attain food security.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
