FINANCE AND ECONOMIC PLANNING

Public Participation for the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), 2025/2026

CEC member for Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. Joe Kamaria

The County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Finance and Economic Planning Prof. Joe Kamaria, together with Chief Officer Erastus Macharia and other senior officers from the department, has engaged representatives from all the 20 Wards in Embu County to get them well versed with what the county government has achieved so far, and brainstorm on the way forward.

C.O Erastus Macharia speaks at the forum 

Speaking at the Embu Talent Academy on 19th February, Chief officer Macharia brought the participants up to speed on both the complete and the ongoing projects from their last CFSP and Budget per Ward. Some of the projects pointed out include: 

1. Water Projects e.g Kyeni Water and Gatene 
2. The Drilling Rig that has already started by drilling a borehole in Kithimu with others in tow 
3. Two new Fire Engines 
4. ESP markets e.g Ishiara, Karurumo and Mwea Makutano 
5. Smart Container Traders' Stalls at Kawanjara and Kathageri markets.
6. Relocation of Canan Market to pave way for the upcoming ksh.800 million Modern Market 
7. Relocation of Runyenjes Market 
8. Completion of the Runyenjes-Meru Buspark; PHASE I & 2 and storeyed Market Stalls
9. Completion of the Exit Route from the Bus Park 
10. New market shades in such shopping centers as Kithimu township and Shakaola Miraa Market in Embu town.

Other major ongoing projects include: The 500million shillings Embu County Aggregation and Industrial Park (ECAIP) at Machang'a in Mbeere South, Kianjokoma Market & Hospital, Kiriari Market, Gategi Level 4 Hospital, Rupingazi-Weru Irrigation Project, Njakairi Land & ECDE center, Kibugu Market & Bus park, Siakago Bus park & Miraa Market as well as the provision of free certified seeds and Artificial Insemination (AI) services.

Addressing the multitude, the CEC touched on the upcoming school feeding program for all ECDE institutions, the upgrade of Runyenjes and Nembure Stadiums as well as Ena, Muraru and Kiritiri Miraa Markets. 

The people follow keenly to the presentation 

Other programs like the recent Governors Cup - an annual event that will keep promoting talent development amongst the youth - and the recent Bodaboda Summit among others. 

He also emphasised on the need for the Governor to keep lobbying for national government-funded projects, considering the fact that Embu County only receives Ksh 5.3 billion from the National Treasury while the county's wage bill totals up to about Ksh 3.6 billion. Mentioning that the Ksh.20 million Ward Fund allocated to each MCA is supposed to take care of such micro projects as grading of feeder roads he said ,"Since counties receive(d) only 400 billion shillings from a Ksh. 4 trillion national budget - which is only 10% of total budget - it was wise to seek more funding for bigger projects like tarmac roads and dams."

The people's representatives present lauded the county government, not only for the projects done and ongoing but also for upcoming ones, pledging to go out and sensitise the general public on the same.