Sh804m Royalty Windfall Triggers Fresh Spending Debate in Kwale.
By Caroline Katana
Kwale County is set to make fresh spending decisions after Sh804 million in mining royalties became available outside its approved 2026/2027 budget, with residents pushing for the windfall to address pressing needs in their communities.
The additional revenue, which includes the county’s share of royalties from Base Titanium, has prompted the county government to prepare a supplementary budget and seek residents’ views on how the money should be allocated.
Speaking during a public participation forum at Kombani, County Attorney Salim Gombeni said the additional funds became available after the main county budget had already been approved.
“We have Sh804 million that the County Government of Kwale received to supplement our budget through royalties from Base Titanium,” Gombeni said.
At Waa Ng’ombeni Ward, residents presented proposals largely focused on improving access to healthcare and infrastructure.
Ng’ombeni village unit proposed upgrading Ng’ombeni Dispensary and establishing a general ward, while Waa residents called for an ambulance to serve health facilities in the area.
For Pungu village unit, the priority was the road from Checkpoint to Kiteje, while Matuga residents proposed construction of a road linking Maganya Kulo to the Kenya School of Government.
The county government is also considering spending part of the additional revenue on emergency response.
Gombeni said the county currently has one fire engine that has been operating for more than 10 years. The governor has proposed acquiring two additional fire engines through the supplementary budget.
“The governor has proposed that through this supplementary budget we acquire two fire trucks to help during emergencies involving fires,” he said.
The proposals from Waa Ng’ombeni are among submissions being collected from all 20 wards as the county seeks to establish the priorities that should be included in the supplementary budget.
Gombeni said residents who did not get an opportunity to speak during the forums could still submit written memorandum to his office.
“The views given today are not exhaustive. Anyone who has views but was unable to present them can prepare a memorandum and submit it to the office,” he said.
The county attorney said the supplementary budget would also undergo another round of public participation through the county assembly.
County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) chairperson Patrick Yasisi said the additional revenue was not the only issue being addressed through the supplementary budget.
He said the process would also consider projects that remained incomplete from the previous financial year and pending bills.
“Every resident should be involved in matters of development,” Yasisi said.
Yasisi said the submissions collected from the 20 wards would be compiled into a report before being presented to the county executive and later forwarded to the county assembly for consideration.
The participation forums have also attracted a significant number of residents.
Gombeni said the turnout at Waa Ng’ombeni was higher than that witnessed during some previous public participation exercises, arguing that wider participation gives the county a broader picture of community priorities.
“Today, residents have turned out in large numbers. On some days back, I think the numbers have even tripled,” he said.
Yasisi also dismissed concerns that proposals submitted by residents during public participation are ignored.
“There is no memorandum submitted to the government that does not reach us,” he said.
He cited the inclusion of a safe house for children in Lungalunga in the approved budget as an example of a project he said had emerged from residents’ submissions.
The participation has also given women an opportunity to raise priorities affecting their communities.
Mealii Mwarua, a resident of Ng’ombeni, said women were being given an opportunity to participate in decisions on projects they wanted implemented.
“As women in Kwale County, we are given an opportunity to express ourselves and choose the projects we want. Our voices are heard, the projects are implemented and we benefit from them,” she said.
Young people also welcomed the opportunity to take part in the budget process.
Mustafa Swaleh, a resident of Waa Ng’ombeni, said the turnout showed that young people were increasingly interested in decisions affecting their communities.
“We have seen how the government involves everyone. It does not discriminate against young men or young women,” Swaleh said.
He encouraged more young people, particularly those in rural areas, to attend public participation forums and raise issues affecting their communities.
The submissions from the 20 wards will now be consolidated as Kwale County moves to the next stage of preparing and considering the supplementary budget.
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