Nairobi City County has recorded its highest revenue collection since the advent of devolution, netting Sh13.7 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year a significant increase from last year’s Sh12.8 billion.

Governor Johnson Sakaja hailed the Sh1 billion jump as a testament to ongoing reforms and enhanced enforcement efforts, despite recent political unrest in the capital.

“KSh 13.7 billion is a record since devolution. It's up from last year’s Sh12.8 billion a strong Sh1 billion increases. With this momentum, we can aim even higher. It’s possible when we all play our part as government and as citizens,” said Sakaja.

County Receiver of Revenue Tiras Njoroge attributed the growth to aggressive campaigns targeting defaulters in land rates, house rents, and unified business permits.

“We cannot have a city of millions sustained by just a few contributors. Everyone must take responsibility,” Njoroge stated, crediting Governor Sakaja’s administration for sustained gains.

The Housing Department reported a sharp rise in rent collections, Sh800 million, up from Sh500 million in 2023/2024, and nearly double the Sh439 million posted in 2021/2022.

Housing Chief Officer Lydia Mathia cited improved enforcement and digital rent tracking as key drivers, with May 2025 alone yielding a record Sh200 million.

The revenue report comes on the heels of a Sh44.6 billion budget tabled by Finance and Economic Planning CEC Charles Kerich for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Out of this, Sh31.2 billion will fund recurrent expenditure, while Sh13.4 billion just over the constitutional threshold, will go toward development.

In the health sector, Sh849 million has been earmarked for the construction, equipping, and upgrading of health centers.

A further Sh400 million will cater to non-pharmaceutical supplies in county hospitals. Infrastructure improvements are also planned for key facilities like Pumwani Maternity and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

The school feeding programme, one of Governor Sakaja’s flagship initiatives, has been allocated Sh700 million. Though slightly lower than last year’s Sh800 million, the county says the funds will sustain operations, building on the over 10 modern kitchens constructed in 2024.

Education bursaries have been allocated Sh857 million, with each of Nairobi’s 85 wards receiving Sh7 million. The remaining amount will support continuing beneficiaries under the Executive Scholarship Programme.

To spur grassroots development, Sh2.15 billion will fund Ward Development Programmes. Kerich told the County Assembly that 145 projects were completed last year and that the new allocation will fast-track pending works.

Roads will receive Sh2.8 billion for construction and rehabilitation, while sports infrastructure, including stadiums and complex,s will benefit from a Sh1 billion injection.

Kerich emphasized that the budget seeks to strike a balance between expanding services and protecting residents from harsh economic conditions.

“We will not increase taxes during these difficult times. Instead, we’re focusing on widening the tax base and tapping into previously uncollected revenue sources,” he said.

Last year, Nairobi collected Sh13.4 billion in own-source revenue up from Sh10 billion, indicating a consistent upward trend driven by system reforms and strategic enforcement.