State House gets Sh3.7 billion boost as rear ends
The third supplementary estimates come amid overall budget increases and cuts to key departments, as the Treasury blames revenue shortfalls on past social unrest and the shelved Finance Bill.
State House Nairobi is among the biggest beneficiaries of the third supplementary budget for the 2024/25 financial year, receiving an additional Sh3.7 billion in allocations just days before the end of the fiscal cycle.
The latest estimates reveal a sharp rise in spending on domestic travel, hospitality, and operating costs under the Presidency.
The National Treasury presented the revised estimates on Wednesday, showing that State House’s local travel and transport budget has more than doubled to Sh2.1 billion, up from Sh933.1 million.
At the same time, its allocation for other undefined operating expenses has shot up to Sh3.1 billion from the previous Sh1.36 billion.
“This is the supplementary estimate of the amount required in the year ending June 30, 2025, for salaries and expenses of State House including State lodges, administration of statutory benefits to retired presidents, vice presidents, other State officers, presidential communication service and policy analysis and research,” read the statement from the exchequer.
The budget also includes a Sh100 million increase in salaries for permanent employees at State House, pushing the total to Sh1.21 billion.
Spending on hospitality supplies and services has climbed to Sh1.05 billion, up from Sh663.8 million.
Routine vehicle maintenance has also been given more funds, rising to Sh497.5 million from Sh262.5 million.
In contrast, the budget for statutory benefits for retired presidents and vice presidents has been reduced by Sh81.4 million, attributed to lower insurance costs.
Overall, the supplementary estimates have pushed the national budget up by Sh18.9 billion, with key increases seen in agencies such as the Teachers Service Commission, the State Department for Higher Education, Internal Security, and the National Intelligence Service.
However, several departments have taken cuts in the revised budget, including Basic Education, Economic Planning, Roads, Medical Services, and Transport.
The Treasury has attributed the realignment to missed revenue targets linked to unrest and policy setbacks earlier in the year.
