NAIROBI, Kenya – State House has requested a fresh Sh4 billion in additional funding for the 2025/26 financial year.
The request, approved by the National Treasury, comes even as the National Assembly has yet to approve State House’s first supplementary allocation of Sh2 billion, originally submitted in September 2025 to cover “other operating expenses.”
Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has warned that rapid spending by State House could undermine fiscal discipline.
“Whereas this reflected efficient budget execution, it also presents a risk of depletion before the end of the financial year 2025/26, leading to budget non-credibility,” Nyakang’o noted.
Under Kenya’s Constitution, additional funding is permissible only when allocated funds are insufficient, unbudgeted needs arise, or emergencies—such as natural disasters or health crises—occur. Parliament must approve such withdrawals within two months.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, in documents submitted to Parliament, defended the request, stating that “additional funding requests and disbursements to ministries, departments, and agencies” have been made in accordance with Article 223 of the Constitution.
State House, whose primary mandate is to assist the President in fulfilling constitutional duties, was allocated Sh8.58 billion for 2025/26—down from Sh12.07 billion in the previous financial year.
By the end of the first quarter, it had spent 55% of its allocation, compared to an average of 25% for other ministries.
If the full Sh4 billion is approved, State House’s total spending for the first half of 2025/26 would reach Sh12.58 billion—surpassing last year’s full allocation.
State House funding covers coordination functions and statutory benefits for retired presidents and deputy presidents.
Of the Sh7.23 billion allocated for recurrent expenses in coordination, Sh4.7 billion had been spent by the first quarter, including Sh4.45 billion on recurrent costs and Sh235.1 million on development.
For retired leaders, Sh452.6 million was allocated, with Sh50.59 million spent so far.
The renewed request comes amid broader scrutiny of government spending, with the Controller of Budget warning that billions have already been disbursed without parliamentary approval.
