COMMITTEE CHAIRS WARN BUDGET CUTS THREATEN KEY GOVERNMENT PROJECTS
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Friday, May 23, 2025
Committee Chairpersons have sounded the alarm over deep budget cuts that risk derailing critical government projects. Their concerns came to light during submissions on the 2025/2026 Budget Estimates to the Budget and Appropriations Committee.
Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Chair Hon. Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) detailed sharp funding reductions across his sector: the State Department for Water and Sanitation faces cuts of Kshs. 1.96 billion (recurrent) and Kshs. 8.4 billion (development); Irrigation faces Kshs. 166 million (recurrent) and Kshs. 2.19 billion (development) cuts; and Blue Economy and Fisheries faces Kshs. 753 million (recurrent) and Kshs. 2 billion (development) reductions. Bowen warned these would severely impact project delivery.
Hon. Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Chair of Administration and Internal Security, requested additional funds to modernize the Government Printer, recruit 10,000 police constables, support ongoing security operations, and integrate village elders into the National Government Administrative Service.
Sports and Culture Chair Hon. Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) highlighted a glaring omission: no budget for the Kshs. 3.9 billion (USD 30 million) AFCON 2027 hosting rights fee, due by April 2026. He urged increased sports infrastructure funding to prepare for co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania.
Social Protection Chair Hon. Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town) appealed for Kshs. 250 million for the Child Welfare Society of Kenya to enhance emergency response, education support, family tracing, and reintegration services. She also requested Kshs. 4.6 billion for NYS commercialization.
Environment, Forestry and Mining Chair Hon. (Eng.) Vincent Musyoka (Mwala) proposed an increase of Kshs. 200 million each for the Restoration of Wetlands and Degraded Ecosystems and Forest Roads projects, alongside a Kshs. 400 million reduction for the Tree Growing Campaign and Rangeland Restoration Project to prioritize immediate needs.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Hon. Samuel Atandi, will continue receiving submissions next week, as concerns over project funding escalate.
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