President William Ruto has assented to the Supplementary Appropriations Bill, 2026, giving legal effect to an expanded national budget aimed at addressing urgent priorities across key sectors of the economy.
Signed at State House, Nairobi, the Bill, now an Act, raises total government expenditure by KSh393 billion, moving the budget from KSh4.3 trillion to KSh4.69 trillion. According to the President, the additional allocation is intended to align the national budget with emerging national needs, including security operations, disaster response, and strategic infrastructure investments.
Security received the largest additional share at KSh60 billion, underlining the government’s focus on maintaining stability and responding to pressing national concerns. Included in this allocation is KSh2 billion earmarked for the compensation of victims of protests, a move likely to attract public interest given recent national conversations around accountability and support for affected citizens.
Education also emerged as one of the major beneficiaries, receiving KSh45.28 billion. The allocation signals the government’s intention to continue deepening reforms in the sector while supporting its broader policy of universal schooling. The emphasis on education reflects its continued place as a central pillar in the country’s long-term development agenda.
Other major allocations target housing, agriculture, and health. The Affordable Housing Programme has been allocated KSh25 billion, reinforcing its role as a flagship government initiative. Agriculture will receive close to KSh18 billion, with KSh10 billion specifically designated for the subsidised fertiliser programme. This is expected to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity at a time when food security remains a national concern.
In the health sector, the government has allocated KSh4 billion to clear pending bills under the defunct National Health Insurance Fund. A further KSh5.4 billion has been set aside for the doctors’ internship programme, while Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital will receive KSh2.5 billion. An additional KSh2.6 billion has been allocated for the vaccines programme, alongside KSh675 million for the upgrading of Level 4 hospitals across the country.
The supplementary budget also includes support for the Blue Economy and Fisheries Department, which has been allocated KSh350 million to organise the Oceanic Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Mombasa and Kilifi. The event is expected to strengthen Kenya’s role in marine conservation while promoting sustainable fisheries and broader blue economy opportunities.
Overall, the expanded budget points to the government’s effort to respond to immediate pressures while sustaining investment in sectors considered critical to Kenya’s social and economic transformation. With the Act now in force, attention is likely to shift to implementation and the impact these allocations will have on citizens across the country.
