This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
Nyeri residents have a reason to smile after the county government presented a Sh7.4 billion budget for the year 2020/21 without increasing any levy.
The budget, presented on Thursday, June 25, 2020, is despite the county's revenue target of collecting Sh1 billion, which is unlikely to be realized due to the closure of businesses caused by COVID-19 restrictions.
According to Nyeri County Executive in Charge of Finance Robert Thuo, the county expects to collect only Sh650 million, leading to a projected shortfall of Sh350 million.
However, Thuo assured residents that the county will not increase any rates, saying, 'Although we project a shortfall of revenue due to restrictions which have seen many businesses closed, we are not increasing any rate so people should not fear. However, we will be very strict to ensure everyone pays what belongs to the county.'
The county has taken steps to reduce the financial burden on residents, including slashing levies paid by matatu operators and waiving land rates.
The budget allocates Sh900 million to road construction, Sh250 million to agriculture, Sh360 million to health, and Sh40 million to COVID-19 interventions.
However, the ward development allocation has been slashed from Sh30 million to Sh16 million.
Despite this, ongoing projects have been allocated Sh260 million for their completion.
The county assembly will start debating the budget on Tuesday next week before passing it.
