Kenya cuts environment budget to Sh103.8 billion despite climate change pressures
One of the most notable cuts is in funding for expanding access to clean and adequate water for both domestic and agricultural use, which has dropped from Sh73.1 billion to Sh60.5 billion.
Kenya has reduced its budget allocation for environmental and climate change initiatives in the 2025/26 financial year, marking a shift in government priorities even as the country continues to grapple with pressing environmental challenges.
The total allocation for environmental protection, water, and natural resources stands at Sh103.8 billion, a drop from Sh110.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.
More To Read
- Tide of change: Coastal women demand bigger role in blue economy
- Kenya unveils 2024–2030 disaster risk strategy to protect lives and boost resilience
- National security gets Sh464.9 billion in budget, but gaps remain amid rising threats
- State allocates Sh700 million to roll out mandatory e-procurement system from July 2025
- Affordable housing drive boosted as housing receives Sh128.3 billion in 2025/26 budget
- Treasury proposes stricter measures for tax defaulters, relief for compliant taxpayers
One of the most significant reductions is in the allocation for expanding access to clean and adequate water for domestic and agricultural use, which has been slashed from Sh73.1 billion to Sh60.5 billion.
The Sh12.6 billion decrease comes at a time when climate change continues to intensify water scarcity in many parts of the country.
Funding for wildlife security, conservation and management saw a slight increase from Sh13.1 billion to Sh13.2 billion.
Wildlife research
A new allocation of Sh953 million has also been introduced for wildlife research and development.
While presenting the Sh4.2 trillion budget before Parliament on Thursday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi noted that an additional Sh1.2 billion has been allocated for human-wildlife compensation, along with Sh950 million for wildlife insurance.
The Kenya Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) project has seen its allocation nearly double, from Sh5.9 billion to Sh11.5 billion, reflecting a renewed focus on devolved climate action.
FLLoCA empowers counties to lead climate resilience efforts through community-driven investments in water harvesting, drought-resistant crops and afforestation.
Similarly, the allocation for environment management and protection rose from Sh2.7 billion in the 2024/25 financial year to Sh3.7 billion.
Forest conservation
Meanwhile, the allocation for forest resource conservation remained steady at Sh10.7 billion, with a slight decline in forest research and development allocation from Sh1.7 billion to Sh1.6 billion.
Allocations for meteorological services likewise remained steady at Sh1.6 billion.
Further, Mbadi outlined significant investments aimed at improving water access and management, prioritising infrastructure, irrigation, and flood control.
"I have proposed an allocation of Sh26.8 billion for water and sewerage infrastructure. Out of this, Sh16.5 billion for water resources management and Sh1.9 billion for water storage and flood control," he said.
"I have also proposed Sh15 billion for irrigation and land reclamation and Sh266 million for water harvesting for storage and irrigation."
Top Stories Today
