Nakuru County Stumbles Through the First Quarter of FY 2024/25
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Nakuru County’s financial woes are the talk of the town, with its first-quarter performance for FY 2024/25 raising more questions than answers. Despite ambitious budget plans, the county has fallen far short of its promises, delivering what can only be described as a masterclass in fiscal mismanagement.
A Budget That Looks Good on Paper
At Kshs. 21.07 billion, the county’s budget for FY 2024/25 was trimmed by 10% compared to last year, ostensibly to reflect “realistic” expectations. Of this, Kshs. 6.99 billion was earmarked for development projects—a commendable 33% of the total budget.
The rest, a whopping Kshs. 14.08 billion, went to recurrent expenses, including the ever-bloating wage bill.
However, as the numbers now show, these plans were just that—plans. Actual development spending amounted to a paltry Kshs. 31.29 million, or 0.4% of the allocated budget.
This is an insult to Nakuru residents, who were promised improved healthcare, roads, and other critical infrastructure.
Revenue: A Story of Broken Promises
The county set out with bold revenue targets, projecting Kshs. 4.11 billion in Own Source Revenue (OSR).
Instead, it managed a meager Kshs. 600.87 million in the first quarter—a mere 15% realization of the target.
The FIF (Facility Improvement Fund), touted as a game-changer for healthcare, brought in only Kshs. 354.74 million, leaving health facilities scrambling to make ends meet.
The failure to collect promised revenue highlights glaring inefficiencies in the county’s systems.
With key revenue streams underperforming, one can’t help but wonder: where is the oversight, and who is being held accountable?
Spending Priorities: Misplaced and Misdirected
If there’s one thing Nakuru County excels at, it’s paying its employees.
A staggering Kshs. 1.72 billion—67% of the county’s revenue—was swallowed by employee compensation in just three months. This leaves precious little for operations, maintenance, or, dare we say, development.
The picture gets bleaker when examining stalled projects.
For instance, Kshs. 10.94 million was spent on medical equipment, achieving just 6% of the planned implementation.
Health facility upgrades fared no better, with a laughable 3% implementation rate. Residents continue to suffer in under-equipped hospitals, while leaders tout “progress” in press conferences.
Pending Bills Pile Up
As of September 30, 2024, the county’s pending bills stood at Kshs. 1.50 billion, with recurrent expenses hogging Kshs. 1.27 billion of that.
This backlog is not just an economic burden but a betrayal of the trust placed in the county government by contractors and suppliers.
Worse still, only Kshs. 197.86 million was paid off during the quarter, and all of it went to recurrent bills. Development contractors? They’re still waiting.
Excuses Galore, Accountability Nowhere
The county has blamed everyone but itself for the mess—citing “delayed disbursements” from the National Treasury, “challenges” in revenue collection, and “high expectations” from residents. But the truth is, Nakuru County has failed to prioritize efficiency and transparency.
The endless cycle of budgeting, overspending on recurrent expenses, and underdelivering on development projects is not new. What’s worse, it’s getting predictable.
The People Speak: Frustration Boils Over
Residents across Nakuru are fed up. “We’re not asking for miracles; we’re asking for roads, hospitals, and schools. Is that too much?” asks Mary Wanjiru, a small-scale trader in Naivasha.
“It’s the same excuses every year. Where does our money go?” laments Peter Karanja, a taxi driver in Nakuru town.
What Needs to Change
Nakuru County must:
- Streamline Revenue Collection: With only 15% of the OSR target achieved, reforms in collection strategies are overdue.
- Cut the Wage Bill: At 67% of revenue, the wage bill is unsustainable and leaves no room for growth or development.
- Prioritize Development: Projects that directly benefit residents need to take precedence over endless bureaucratic costs.
- Pay Pending Bills: Addressing the Kshs. 1.50 billion backlog is non-negotiable for economic credibility.
For now, the people of Nakuru continue to wait—and hope—for the leadership they deserve.
With a knack for captivating storytelling, Amos Lumbasi has a talent for crafting narratives that resonate with readers. He combines meticulous research with a captivating writing style to create articles that are both informative and enjoyable to read.
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