NAIROBI, Kenya – Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s office is seeking an additional Sh625.4 million to support operations, including upgrades to official residences and increased funding for travel and hospitality.
The request was tabled before the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, where officials argued that budget cuts were threatening the office’s ability to function effectively.
Among the proposed expenditures is Sh100 million earmarked for renovations at Harambee House Annexe and the DP’s official residence in Karen.
Principal Administrative Secretary Moses Mbaruku told lawmakers the additional funds were needed to support the DP’s expanding role in overseeing inter-ministerial coordination and driving the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“The office plays a key role in spearheading various strategic interventions, fast-tracking the implementation of government policies, programmes and projects across the country,” read the budget proposal submitted to Parliament.
The Deputy President’s office had initially been allocated Sh2.9 billion for the 2024/25 financial year — down from the Sh3.4 billion proposed in the earlier Budget Policy Statement.
The new request includes Sh114.9 million for domestic travel, Sh86.3 million for foreign travel, and Sh170.8 million for hospitality.
Officials warned that inadequate funding could hamper the DP’s ability to discharge his duties across the country.
Immigration Department Requests Sh20 Billion
Meanwhile, the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services is seeking Sh20 billion to implement its core programmes — including the rollout of Maisha Namba digital IDs, printing of new national ID cards, and border management.
Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang told the committee that demand for IDs has surged following a government campaign encouraging eligible Kenyans to register.
“The massive campaign by the government to encourage registration of the public eligible for ID cards has increased demand,” Kipsang said.
The funding push comes after President William Ruto issued a directive to make national ID cards free for all Kenyans aged 18 and above.
The directive scrapped the Sh300 fee introduced in January and abolished vetting for applicants from northern Kenya — a colonial-era practice that had endured for over six decades.
The Immigration Department said additional resources were also needed to expand mobile registration services, implement electronic travel authorization systems, acquire new equipment, and fund the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
