The government has increased the State House budget by Ksh3.81 billion in the latest Supplementary Estimates Budget II 2024/25.
According to the report tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, February 18, the National Treasury raised the budget to the House on the Hill by 88.4 per cent.
The government argues that the reason for the increase in the budget at the State House is a requirement for personnel emoluments for the year ending June 30, 2025. Treasury further says the increase is to be directed to cater for the shortfall in operations and maintenance expenses, including medical insurance.
At the same time, the Executive Office of the President is earmarked for an 18.18 per cent increase. This means that the Treasury will channel Ksh651.69 million more to the Harambee Avenue office.
Overall, the government has revised the budget upwards by Ksh86.18 billion across the three arms of government while the Consolidated Fund Services saw a Ksh23.61 billion reduction.
The State Department for Roads is earmarked for an increase of Ksh6.08 billion to pay outstanding bills and implementation of urgent and critical road infrastructure projects.
Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho will see his ministry receive an increase of Ksh594.2 million. The reason cited for this increase is the projected additional appropriation in aid amounting to Ksh300 million under recurrent expenditures and Ksh160.0 million under capital expenditures.
The Ministry of Health has also received a bump up, with the larger increase in this sector designated to the State Department for Public Health and personnel, 18.9 per cent increase, a Ksh5.08 billion bump up in funding to cater for salaries for intern doctors as provided in the 2017-2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), settlement of outstanding salary arrears for doctors arising from the implementation of the 2017-2021 CBA, and for payment of stipends to Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
The other State Department under the Ministry, that is Medical Services is earmarked for a Ksh8.68 billion increase. This caters to recapitalisation of the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), the Primary Healthcare Fund, and the Emergency, Chronic, and Critical Illness Fund.
Another winner in the budget is the Ministry of Education, which as a whole is earmarked for an increase of Ksh48.59 billion.
The State Departments of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will receive a Ksh6.97 billion increase, Higher Education will receive a Ksh15.4 billion increase, and Basic Education will have an increase of Ksh 7.57 billion.
The Teachers’ Service Commission is set to receive a jump of Ksh18.57 billion to cater for personnel emoluments.
