Critical government programmes across education, health, agriculture, security, and foreign affairs remain unfunded in Kenya’s Sh4.23 trillion budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, raising concerns over service delivery in essential sectors.
Despite the education sector receiving the largest allocation at Sh701 billion 28.1% of the total budget significant funding gaps persist. Notably, Sh17 billion meant to support scholarships for 208,000 university students under the new higher education funding model was not allocated. The Education Committee warned that this shortfall could severely disrupt university operations, limit academic programmes, and increase financial burdens on students.
The National Police Service, allocated Sh125 billion, faces an underfunding of Sh22.1 billion. This includes Sh3.5 billion for recruiting 10,000 officers, Sh9.8 billion for insurance, and Sh8.1 billion for operations. Additionally, the Internal Security and National Administration budget of Sh35 billion excluded Sh1 billion needed for new administrative units and Sh2.5 billion for integrating village elders into the system.
In the defence sector, Sh200 billion was allocated, but no additional funds were provided for recruitment or Sh1 billion for maintaining key military equipment. A parliamentary report flagged that Kenya’s military hardware is in a deteriorating state, especially for troops deployed in Somalia. The Defence Ministry requires Sh5 billion for critical upgrades.
Healthcare received Sh136.8 billion, with Sh54 billion earmarked for national referral services. However, Sh2.5 billion needed for hospital modernisation, Sh944 million for unpaid salaries and pensions at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Sh1.88 billion in salary shortfalls at Kenyatta University Hospital remain unfunded.
Agriculture, which received Sh78 billion, also suffers from a Sh10 billion shortfall in the fertiliser subsidy programme, risking national food security and economic stability.
The Foreign Affairs ministry missed out on Sh500 million for multiple accreditations and Sh350 million for refurbishing state properties abroad, while the Diaspora Affairs department lacks Sh163 million for emergency evacuation operations.
Parliament’s Budget Committee cited the government’s struggle to balance fiscal consolidation with the urgent need to sustain vital public services, warning that continued underfunding may undermine the nation’s socio-economic progress.
