MPs to debate Sh363.8bn budget changes this afternoon
The National Assembly will this afternoon consider proposed changes to the 2025/2026 budget that would increase government spending by Sh363.8 billion.
The motion, tabled by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, seeks to adjust allocations mid-year through the Supplementary Estimates--a process provided for under the Constitution.
If approved, recurrent expenditure will rise by Sh232 billion, while development spending will drop by Sh131.8 billion--signalling a shift towards operational costs at the expense of projects.
The House will also be asked to regularise spending already incurred under Article 223, which allows the government to access funds before parliamentary approval in urgent cases.
Supplementary budgets are a routine feature of Kenya’s public finance cycle, allowing the Treasury to respond to emerging needs, funding gaps or policy shifts after the main budget is passed.
However, such revisions often come under scrutiny when they significantly increase recurrent expenditure or scale back development spending, raising concerns about long-term growth and service delivery.
Controller of Budget report
The debate comes just days after the Controller of Budget flagged rising pressure on public finances in the latest budget implementation report.
The report showed:
- Continued growth in recurrent expenditure, particularly on wages and debt servicing
- Slower absorption of development funds across ministries and counties
- Increased reliance on Article 223 spending to meet urgent obligations
The Controller of Budget also warned that the trend could limit funds available for development and strain service delivery if not addressed.
MPs are expected to weigh these concerns as they debate whether to approve the proposed adjustments ahead of the June budget cycle.
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