Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Photo/X.
By Newsflash Reporter
The government is pushing for an additional Sh32 billion to bolster security operations over the next four months, a move that has sparked debate over its necessity and timing. This substantial request forms more than a third of the Sh88 billion mini-budget currently under review by the National Assembly.
Key beneficiaries of the proposed funds include the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Ministry of Defence, the National Police Service, and the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration. Notably, State House has also been earmarked for a significant boost, with an additional Sh3.81 billion allocated for its operations and renovations.
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The National Treasury, in its justification for the supplementary budget, argues that the country’s revenue collection is expected to rise from 16.9% to 17.6% of GDP, making it possible to accommodate the additional spending. “The total expenditure and net lending have been revised from the approved 21.5% to 22.8% of GDP,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi explained in the budget document.
Questions over spending with three months to go
The timing of the increased allocations has raised eyebrows, considering that the current financial year is set to end in just three months. While some of the funds have already been spent, their justification remains vague, particularly in cases where specific security programs have not been detailed.
For instance, the NIS, which operates under restricted auditing by the Office of the Auditor-General, is set to receive an extra Sh9.8 billion, bringing its total budget to Sh56.2 billion. Defending the increase, National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee Chairperson Nelson Koech cited regional instability in neighboring countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
David Karanja, NIS Director of Administration, elaborated further, saying the funds would help counter threats such as drone attacks on key installations and the rising cases of cyberattacks. “There is a need to increase service capacity to monitor security threats, especially with heightened political activities in the country,” he told lawmakers on March 5.
Defence, Police, and State House get billions more
The Ministry of Defence is set to receive an extra Sh6.8 billion on top of its existing Sh172.95 billion budget, though no clear explanation has been provided for this additional allocation. Similarly, the National Police Service will see its budget increase by Sh6.3 billion, with Treasury documents citing the need for enhanced operations and police modernization.
State House, which is currently undergoing renovations, is another major recipient of the additional funds, bringing its total budget for the year to Sh8.12 billion—almost double the initial allocation. The Treasury’s justification only states that the increase is “on account of enhancement of operations and maintenance.”
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On February 24, 2025, State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito confirmed that the renovations were being carried out by NIS and the Ministry of Defence, but he did not disclose the full scope of the work.
Internal security and immigration departments benefit too
The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration is set to receive Sh9.21 billion more, pushing its total budget to Sh37.4 billion. This includes Sh4.4 billion earmarked for operations and maintenance and Sh2.5 billion for police modernization.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Immigration and Citizen Services will get an additional Sh5.9 billion, raising its budget to Sh20.2 billion.
Transparency concerns
The rush to allocate these funds so close to the end of the financial year has raised concerns over transparency and accountability. Critics argue that the lack of detailed explanations for some of these allocations could open doors for misuse. As the National Assembly debates the mini-budget, the government will have to convince both lawmakers and the public that these funds are truly essential for national security.
