By REUBEN OLITA
September 17, 2026|The Busia County Government is staring at a financing gap of more than Sh2 billion as it seeks to implement its 2027/2028 County Annual Development Plan (CADP).
The plan requires Sh12.07711 billion to implement, against a projected resource envelope of Sh10.060098 billion, leaving a deficit of Sh2.017012 billion.
The figures emerged on Thursday during a public participation forum on the CADP conducted by the County Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee at KNUT Teso Hall in Amagoro, Teso North Sub-County.
The forum was led by the committee’s vice-chairman, Dennis Okinda, who is also the Matayos South MCA.
Going through the 248-page document, the committee’s clerk, Alphonse Okwara, said the projected resource envelope includes Sh8 billion from the national government, Sh1.2 billion from conditional grants and about Sh804 million in own-source revenue.
Okwara said the county intends to bridge the financing gap through stronger intergovernmental collaboration, enhanced own-source revenue mobilisation and deeper partnerships with the private sector, development partners and other stakeholders.
Calls for Accountability and Revenue Growth
Veteran journalist Kennedy Epalat said the county could raise more revenue by introducing stronger measures to curb corruption and revenue leakages.
“Last November, the county government sent revenue officers on compulsory leave and hired the services of ward and village administrators to benchmark. Revenue collected during the more than three-month exercise shot up by over 400 per cent. There is need for an audit of the POS machines,” Epalat said.
He urged the committee to include feeder roads in Teso North and stalled projects, including Aleles Dispensary, in the development plan.
Seferio Ikapolok questioned whether revenue officers found culpable of revenue losses had been surcharged. He also urged county departments receiving the largest allocations, particularly Roads and Health, to explore ways of generating more own-source revenue.
Benjamin Otete called for greater investment in agriculture and questioned the benefits of cooperative development in the county. He urged the county government to revamp markets by constructing stalls at Amagoro ESP Market and improving access to attract more traders.
Health, Education and Infrastructure Concerns
Gerald Ekisa called for the urgent relocation of the Teso North Sub-County Hospital mortuary through the acquisition of land near the facility. He also called for the employment of more ECDE teachers, nurses and doctors to address unemployment and improve service delivery.
Angurai East Ward Manager Edward Murunga said the incomplete maternity wing at Changara Dispensary was inconveniencing expectant mothers. He called for the construction of bridges at Kamunyongole, Ataba Oburi and along the Akadot-Tamulega road.
John Barasa raised concern over the condition of the Teso North Kocholia Sub-County Mortuary, saying many residents were forced to take their deceased relatives to morgues in Bungoma County.
“Many people take their loved ones to Bungoma morgues. If I die, I will refuse to go there,” Barasa said.
KNUT Teso Executive Secretary Geoffrey Ekasiba said the impact of the CADP would only be felt if the proposed projects were properly implemented. He regretted that no ECDE teachers had been employed in the county since 2022, adding that vacancies created by teachers who died had not been filled.
Ekasiba also urged the county government to reinstate the school feeding programme, saying this could increase enrolment. He asked the committee to invite businessmen, educationists, professionals and farmers to future public participation forums to ensure wider representation.
Water, Security and Livelihoods
Geoffrey Olung’uru questioned the value for money in the Malaba trailer park project and called for its completion to help reduce road accidents.
Peter Makokha said Malaba North Ward lacked bridges and raised concerns over what he termed discrimination in the distribution of fertiliser. Humphrey Ikunusai called for the revival of cattle-dipping services to help control livestock diseases.
Joram Epalat identified water shortage as a major challenge facing Amagoro residents. He said boreholes at Amagoro Comprehensive School and Awaat were dysfunctional and called for the expansion of last-mile water connectivity as a permanent solution.
John Omoit Perere proposed the installation of improved cooking jikos in schools as a way of creating employment, while also urging the county government to introduce tree-planting programmes to create jobs for unemployed youth. Elizabeth Adhiambo called for the installation of fire arrestors in schools to improve safety.
Seven More Days for Memoranda
Okinda said the Amagoro forum was the third public participation exercise conducted by the committee during the week. He said residents had seven more days to submit memoranda on projects and other issues they wanted included in the CADP, and assured them the document was accurate and inclusive.
On the 2027 General Election, Okinda urged residents to avoid political confrontations.
“Politics is not confrontation. It comes and goes. Do what you do with wisdom. Gen Zs, put our wisdom to proper use when we do,” he said.
Nominated MCA Joy Wanga said the CADP was the first document in the county budget-making process and urged residents not to politicise the budget. She thanked Teso North residents for their contributions, saying the forum had highlighted the sub-county’s unique development needs.
Chakol South MCA Denzil Musumba confirmed that 120 ECDE teachers would be employed during the current financial year. He also acknowledged that Changara Dispensary was losing revenue to Bungoma County because of its incomplete maternity facility.
“We need peaceful elections. Listen to me, I Denzil need ‘Tutam’,” Musumba said.