Kenya’s 2024/25 Budget: Sectoral Allocations and Policy Priorities
The FY 2024/25
Appropriation Bill reflects Kenya’s ongoing efforts to align fiscal policy with
the regime’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the Fourth
Medium-Term Plan (MTP IV) of Vision 2030. The distribution of resources
demonstrates a deliberate prioritization of education, healthcare, infrastructure,
social welfare, and, importantly, devolution as the key ambitions of Kenya Vision
2030.
1. Education – Ksh 718.8 Billion
As the
largest beneficiary of the budget, the education sector underscores the
government’s recognition of human capital development as a driver of long-term
growth. Funds will go toward:
· Expansion of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), hiring more teachers, and building more class rooms.
· Recruitment and training of teachers.
· Infrastructure upgrades in schools and universities.
· Increased funding for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
·
Enhancement of bursary and
scholarship programs.
In addition, Ksh 18 billion has been allocated to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to address insurance shortfalls, promotions, and staff emoluments.
2. Environment, Water, and Natural
Resources – Ksh 134.2 Billion
· Expansion of the national tree-planting initiative (target: 15 billion trees by 2032).
· Climate resilience programs to mitigate droughts and floods.
· Investment in clean energy and waste recycling projects.
· Conservation of wildlife and marine ecosystems.
·
Strengthening carbon trading as a
revenue stream.
The health sector budget reflects a continued commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) through:
· Expansion of Taifa Care and the Social Health Authority (formerly NHIF).
· Upgrading county healthcare facilities.
· Strengthening maternal and child health services.
· Investment in digital health infrastructure.
·
Support for local pharmaceutical
and vaccine production.
Moreover, allocations include Ksh 1.5 billion for recapitalizing KEMSA and KSh 3 billion for the Primary Healthcare Fund.
4. Infrastructure, Transport, and Energy – KSh 554.8
Billion
This sector remains central to economic transformation, with investments in:
· 1,098 km of new roads and 62 bridges.
· Completion of Phase 1 of the Nairobi Railway City project.
· Expansion of the electricity grid (target: 1.44 million new connections).
· Development of renewable energy projects (solar and wind).
·
Rollout of 38,871 km of
high-speed fibre optic cable.
· Strengthening the National Police Service.
· Enhancing the capacity of the National Intelligence Service.
· Improvements in the Prisons Department.
·
Leasing of police vehicles and
investment in forensic labs.
· Construction of 217,654 affordable housing units.
· Slum upgrading in major cities.
· Development of modern market infrastructure.
· Expansion of mortgage access to low-income households.
·
Waste management and sanitation
improvements in informal settlements.
7. Digital Economy and ICT – KSh 140.8
Billion
· Public Wi-Fi expansion in both rural and urban areas.
· Digitization of government services.
· Development of fintech, e-commerce, and startups.
· Cybersecurity investments.
·
ICT training and incubation
programs for youth.
8. Social Protection and Welfare – KSh 78.7 Billion
- Cash transfers to the elderly and vulnerable.
- Youth and women empowerment programs.
- Disability inclusion projects
- Investments in sports, arts, and culture.
- Support for orphans and vulnerable children.
9. Agriculture, Rural, and Urban
Development – Ksh 86.1 Billion
· Fertilizer subsidies.
· Irrigation projects and livestock restocking.
· Establishment of agro-industrial parks.
· Broader food security initiatives.
10. County Governments – KSh 442.7 Billion
Counties will receive funding aimed at:
· Local development projects.
· Enhancing health, agriculture, and infrastructure services.
· Supporting county-level industrialization.
·
Disaster preparedness and
response.
Kenya’s 2024/25 budget underscores
a clear policy direction: strengthening universal healthcare, dignifying
housing, and responding to the increasing need for investment in education. By
channeling resources into both growth-oriented and welfare-driven sectors, the
government seeks to balance economic expansion with social inclusivity. In my
view, as the Medium-Term Plan progresses and Vision 2030 approaches its final
phase in less than five years, there is a critical need to curb public debt,
bridge fiscal deficits, and align Kenya’s technological ambitions with global
trends
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