Nairobi: Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has officially signed into law the Vihiga County Appropriation Bill for the 2025/2026 Financial Year, unlocking critical funding for priority sectors, including health, education, and infrastructure. The signing ceremony was held at the Governor's Boardroom at the County Headquarters, attended by top county officials, including Deputy Governor, Wilberforce Kitiezo, County Solicitor, James Mukabi, and Budget Committee Chair, Patrick Ahwali.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Ottichilo emphasized the importance of timely completion of all county projects-both ongoing and inherited-while reaffirming that all development initiatives must align with priorities identified through public participation forums. Governor Ottichilo highlighted the county's financial strain, stating that the budget primarily addresses pending bills. Governor Ottichilo also noted that capitation remains a challenge, especially with the increasing number of learners advancing through the education system without adequate support. The Governor was assisted in the signing by County Solicitor, James Mukabi, who received the finalized document for formal publication.
Budget Chair, Patrick Ahwali, detailed the key allocations in the newly approved budget. The health sector emerged as a major beneficiary, with Sh 7.5 million allocated to Level 3 hospitals across all 25 wards for the procurement of essential drugs and installation of WiFi routers in support of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) rollout. A further KSh 200 million has been earmarked for drug procurement in Level 4 hospitals.
In the education sector, KSh 22 million has been allocated to settle long-standing salary arrears for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers, a move expected to stabilize the early learning workforce. Deputy Governor Kitiezo called for innovative revenue generation strategies, including partnerships with the private sector, and highlighted the County Assembly's proposal to construct a modern legislative plaza to improve service delivery.
The passage and signing of the budget mark a significant milestone in the county's fiscal planning, aimed at facilitating efficient service delivery, settling financial obligations, and accelerating development in the 2025/2026 Financial Year.