President William Ruto's recent tour of the Nyanza region saw him pledge projects worth an estimated Ksh.700 billion. The ambitious plan has raised questions about the source of funding for these projects. According to Controller of Budget Dr. Margaret Nyakang'o, the presidential pronouncements must be translated into funded projects, which may require budgetary shifts or emergency funding.
During his tour, President Ruto launched, inspected, and commissioned several multi-billion-shilling projects in Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori. Some of the notable projects include the revival of the Ksh.19 billion Sondu-Soin Dam, the Kisumu Marine School, and the Lumumba Affordable Housing Project. In Homa Bay, the President announced a Ksh.3.5 billion plan to construct 21 modern markets.
The President's pledge of Ksh.700 billion in Nyanza comes at a time when government agencies have been found to have proceeded with project implementation without approved budgets. According to the Controller of Budget's report for the financial year ending June 2026, some projects in the Nyanza region had either been underfunded or implemented without corresponding budgetary allocations.
Dr. Nyakang'o revealed that all presidential pronouncements are taken up by the Office of the Head of Public Service and cannot be implemented solely based on verbal pronouncements. She also noted that new items have to go through supplementary budgets, which pass through the Controller of Budget's office.
The Controller of Budget's report for the financial year ending June 2026 showed that the national government spent up to Ksh.889 billion on development projects across all ministerial departments. The report also flagged several projects in the Nyanza region, including Phase Two of the Got Rabuor-Homa Bay Pier Corner-Kodoyo Road and the realignment of the Homa Bay-Rongo Road at Kabunde Airstrip.
According to Dr. Nyakang'o, if a project does not have the necessary resources, the relevant authorities will reach out to the National Treasury for advice on how to proceed. The law allows for the reorganisation of budgets, and in instances involving emergency demands, Article 223 of the Constitution can be used to fund unforeseen needs.
For now, residents of Nyanza will have to wait for the implementation of the promised projects as the government handles the necessary paperwork, identifies funding, reallocates resources, and seeks the required approvals. The Controller of Budget's office will play a crucial role in ensuring that the projects are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner.
Key points
- The implementation of President Ruto's Ksh.700B pledge in Nyanza will require careful planning, budgeting, and coordination between government agencies.
- The Controller of Budget's office will play a crucial role in ensuring that the projects are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner.
- The government may need to use supplementary budgets or reallocate resources to fund the projects.
