By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 1 July 2026 - Kisumu County has approved a KSh 14.27 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year setting the stage for an aggressive push to complete Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o's flagship infrastructure projects as his second and final term enters its home stretch.
The County Assembly unanimously passed the spending plan on Tuesday after adopting the Budget and Appropriations Committee report, with development expenditure receiving a significant allocation aimed at completing ongoing projects rather than launching new ones.
County Executive Committee Member for Finance George Okongo said the budget reflects the administration's determination to ensure every major investment initiated under Governor Nyong'o translates into tangible economic and social returns.
"We expect this budget to enable us to complete the flagship projects started under Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o's administration. Our priority is to finish ongoing capital investments so that residents begin enjoying the intended services while ensuring value for public money," Okongo said.
The strategy comes as county governments increasingly face pressure to demonstrate prudent use of public resources by completing projects before embarking on fresh spending commitments.
Among the projects receiving close attention is the Sh524 million ultra-modern Kisumu County Assembly complex rising near the Tom Mboya Labour College, which has become one of the county's most ambitious public infrastructure investments.
On Tuesday, shortly after the budget approval, Governor Nyong'o toured the construction site accompanied by Okongo, Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga and County Assembly Speaker Elisha Oraro in what county officials described as a progress inspection ahead of completion.
Speaker Oraro said construction had entered its final stages.
"The works are almost complete and we are looking forward to the contractor handing over the building in September this year," Oraro said.
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Governor Nyong'o said the new facility would be commissioned immediately after completion.
"I look forward to launching this assembly complex in September. It is one of the landmark projects that will strengthen devolution and provide a modern working environment for the County Assembly," the governor said.
Beyond housing a modern legislative chamber, committee rooms and administrative offices, the complex is expected to improve legislative efficiency while easing congestion in the current facilities.
The approved budget signals a broader shift towards consolidating investments already underway, with county officials arguing that completing stalled or ongoing developments delivers greater economic impact than spreading limited resources across multiple new projects.
Analysts say the approach could also improve investor confidence by demonstrating fiscal discipline and enhancing the county's ability to convert budget allocations into completed public assets.
Kisumu has over the past decade positioned itself as the economic gateway to the Lake Region through investments in roads, markets, health facilities, water infrastructure and urban renewal programmes. The latest budget indicates that completing these investments now takes precedence over unveiling fresh projects.
For Nyong'o, whose administration has consistently branded infrastructure as a catalyst for economic transformation, the September commissioning of the new assembly complex would mark one of the defining milestones of his tenure.
The building is expected to stand not only as the permanent home of Kisumu's legislative arm but also as a visible symbol of the county government's effort to match fiscal planning with project execution—an increasingly important measure of performance as counties compete for investment and seek to demonstrate the dividends of devolution.