Sh218bn budget shortfall threatens education, health and elections
Among the key programmes without funding are the school feeding programme, loans for higher education students, free education in public schools, fertiliser subsidies, and healthcare financing for public insurance holders.
Critical government programmes worth Sh218 billion remain unfunded in the Sh4.2 trillion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has revealed.
This funding gap threatens important services in education, health, agriculture, and election preparations, as MPs seek ways to fill the shortfall or face public dissatisfaction.
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Among the key programmes without funding are the school feeding programme, loans for higher education students, free education in public schools, fertiliser subsidies, and healthcare financing for public insurance holders.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) faces a Sh9.2 billion shortfall, which may delay preparations for the 2027 General Election, including buying election technology and awarding contracts for election materials.
This gap could also affect by-elections arising from deaths, court rulings, disciplinary cases, and Cabinet appointments.
PS Kiptoo told the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC) on Thursday that government agencies had requested an additional Sh944.2 billion to fully fund their programmes. However, budget limits meant some critical areas were not accommodated.
“These expenditures were not accommodated in the 2025/26 budget due to a constrained fiscal framework but will be reviewed for possible funding in the course of the implementation should the fiscal situation improve,” he said during the presentation to the BAC, chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi.
The unfunded projects span 12 State Departments and agencies, including Basic Education, Higher Education, Medical Services, Public Health and Professional Standards, Agriculture, Interior and National Police Service, Correctional Services, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, National Treasury, and Broadcasting and Telecommunications.
The State Department of Basic Education faces a shortfall of Sh39.6 billion.
Free day secondary education is missing Sh21.92 billion, while the school feeding programme and free day junior school funding are short by Sh4.1 billion.
Additionally, Sh11 billion for school examinations and invigilation has not been provided.
In the health sector, holders of public insurance cards face difficulties accessing services due to a lack of Sh11 billion for emergency, chronic, and critical illness funding, as well as Sh10 billion missing for primary healthcare.
These shortfalls put President Ruto’s Universal Health Coverage initiative at risk. Furthermore, Sh4 billion meant for stipends of 8,550 UHC workers remains unfunded.
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