State House gets Sh3.7 billion boost in supplementary budget amid austerity concerns
The fresh injection, tabled by the National Treasury less than two weeks before June 30, is largely directed towards domestic travel and operational costs, with significant increases recorded in transport, hospitality, salaries, and general maintenance.
State House, Nairobi, has been handed an extra Sh3.7 billion in the third supplementary budget, marking a sharp rise in expenditure just days before the close of the financial year.
The fresh injection, tabled by the National Treasury less than two weeks before June 30, is largely directed towards domestic travel and operational costs, with significant increases recorded in transport, hospitality, salaries, and general maintenance.
More To Read
- Audit reveals Sh3 billion spent in nine months at Office of the President amid austerity pledges
- How billions of shillings have been splashed on State House renovations since Ruto took over in 2022
- Taxpayers to fund Sh2.3 billion State House, lodges facelift despite austerity measures
- Bungoma, Kwale County Commissioners' residences declared State Lodges
- Duale to former CS Justin Muturi: There’s nothing wrong with me being close to seat of power
- Concerns over financial priorities as Sh8bn put into State House, lodges renovations
The National Treasury tabled the mini-budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year on Wednesday, just days before the financial year closes on June 30.
The latest estimates show that State House’s local travel and transport costs have jumped from Sh933.1 million to Sh2.1 billion, while unclassified operating expenses have surged from Sh1.36 billion to Sh3.1 billion.
“This is the supplementary estimate of the amount required in the year ending June 30, 2025, for salaries and expenses of State House, including State lodges, administration of statutory benefits to retired presidents, vice presidents, other State officers, presidential communication service and policy analysis and research,” the exchequer stated.
Permanent staff salaries at State House have been increased to Sh1.21 billion from Sh1.11 billion.
Spending on hospitality supplies and services has also risen significantly from Sh663.8 million to Sh1.05 billion.
Allocations for vehicle maintenance have been raised from Sh262.5 million to Sh497.5 million.
However, the administration of statutory benefits to retired presidents and vice presidents has seen a cut of Sh81.4 million, attributed to reduced insurance costs.
The third supplementary budget proposes to raise overall government spending by Sh18.9 billion.
Other top recipients of extra allocations include the Teachers Service Commission, the State Department for Higher Education, the Internal Security, and the National Intelligence Service.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Basic Education, Economic Planning, Roads, Medical Services, and Transport have faced funding cuts in the revised estimates.
The Treasury has linked the adjustments to missed revenue targets in the current financial year, blaming disruptions on early-year protests and the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024.
Top Stories Today
