The government has allocated Sh124.8 billion to the environment, water and natural resources sector in the 2026/27 financial year, with spending directed toward water infrastructure, climate resilience, environmental protection, wildlife conservation, irrigation development and urban environmental management.
Speaking on Thursday when he presented the budget estimates before Parliament, Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi announced that Sh51.5 billion had been allocated for water and sewerage infrastructure development, making it the single largest expenditure within the sector.
An additional Sh6.3 billion has been set aside for water resources management, while Sh2.5 billion has been earmarked for water storage and flood control projects aimed at strengthening national water security and mitigating climate-induced risks.
To support agricultural productivity, Mbadi proposed Sh1.1 billion for irrigation and drainage development, Sh1.8 billion for large-scale commercial irrigation projects, Sh3.3 billion for community-managed irrigation schemes, Sh3 billion for public irrigation schemes and Sh1.6 billion for revitalisation of irrigation systems in arid and semi-arid lands.
“Access to clean water, improved sanitation and expanded irrigation are equally crucial for health, productivity and agricultural growth,” Mbadi said.
“These allocations will improve access, improve productivity and resilience in agriculture and settlements,” said Mbadi.
In the environmental conservation and climate action sector, the government has proposed Sh13.4 billion for forest resources conservation and management and Sh1.7 billion for forest research and development. The National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign has similarly been allocated Sh3.2 billion as part of ongoing reforestation efforts, while environmental management and protection programmes will receive Sh4.7 billion.
Further, Sh8.9 billion has been earmarked for the Kenya Financing Locally Led Climate Action Project, while the national meteorological service will receive Sh1.8 billion to enhance weather forecasting and climate monitoring.
Wildlife conservation has also been prominently funded, with Sh13.2 billion allocated for wildlife security, conservation and management. In addition, Sh1.2 billion has been set aside for wildlife research and development, Sh1.1 billion for compensation for human-wildlife conflict, and Sh800 million for wildlife insurance to support affected communities and protect conservation gains.
Nairobi is also set to receive Sh2.5 billion for solid waste management, alongside Sh1 billion for the removal of asbestos as part of urban environmental cleanup efforts.
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