The County Assembly of Kajiado has approved a supplementary budget of Sh 135M to cater for the emergency health needs from the COVID- 19 pandemic.
The County administration had sought the Assembly’s approval to have, among other budgets, its remaining domestic and foreign travel vote, diverted to the provision of medical services and emerging needs.
In a virtual sitting by MCAs on Tuesday, the Executive and the Assembly relinquished their Sh 17 M and Sh 7M travel votes respectively to the medical kitty.
Governor Lenku lauded the Assembly leadership led by Speaker Johnson Osoi and the Chairman of the Budget Committee Henry Kimiti for rising to the occasion and supporting the Executive’s changes.
“Am grateful that the Department of Finance has worked closely with the Assembly to ensure we avail funds to be utilized during these hard times,” said the Governor.
The Assembly accepted to raise the County Emergency kitty by Sh 40 Million to Sh 140 Million and commit the Sh 25 Million of the Foreign Travel money to purchase of drugs and other pharmaceuticals.
Sh 20 Million was set aside to set up Isolation units in 6 health facilities while Sh 18 Million was allocated to put up an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with at least 7 beds.
Sh 14 M will aid in emerging operation expenses of the medical staff while food supplies in hospitals was allocated Sh 8 M.
Speaker Osoi said MCAs approved the changes from their homes through a digital-driven sitting since parts of the County are under lockdown.
Mr. Kimiti said the move was necessary to salvage the situation and avail funds to support the County in enhancing its preparedness against the pandemic.
” We have had to knock off money from some projects that we felt can wait for the next financial year. We focussed on the urgency of the crisis and we believe this will set the pace for our County’s COVID 19 preparedness, ” said the Kenyewa Poka MCA.
