Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo has officially signed into law the Vihiga County Appropriation Bill for the 2025/2026 Financial Year, unlocking crucial funds for key sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure development.
The signing ceremony, held at the Governor’s Boardroom at the County Headquarters, was attended by top county officials including Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, County Solicitor James Mukabi, and Budget Committee Chair Patrick Ahwali.
Governor Ottichilo emphasized the need for timely completion of all county projects—ongoing and inherited—urging that development efforts must align with priorities identified through public participation forums. “This budget mostly caters for pending bills,” he noted, adding, “Capitation remains a challenge, especially with the growing number of learners lacking adequate educational support.”
Budget Chair Ahwali outlined major allocations, with the health sector emerging as a top priority. KSh 7.5 million will go toward equipping Level 3 hospitals across all 25 wards with essential drugs and WiFi routers to support the rollout of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF). An additional KSh 200 million has been allocated for drug procurement in Level 4 hospitals.
In the education sector, KSh 22 million has been set aside to clear long-standing salary arrears for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) teachers, a move expected to stabilize and motivate the county’s early learning workforce.
Deputy Governor Kitiezo underscored the importance of innovative revenue generation, proposing partnerships with the private sector and highlighting plans for a modern legislative plaza to boost service delivery.
County Solicitor James Mukabi assisted in finalizing the document for formal publication, marking a key milestone in Vihiga’s fiscal planning for the year ahead. The budget is expected to enhance service delivery, address financial obligations, and accelerate development across the county.
Written By Rodney Mbua
