Vulnerable groups, village elders get Sh42b

Treasury CS John Mbadi (centre) and the National Assembly leadership led by Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei at Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, on June 11, 2026. [Elvis Ogina,Standard] 

The National Treasury has proposed a comprehensive plan to strengthen support for women, youth, and vulnerable groups, with significant investments in gender equality, social protection, and safety net programmes.

In his budget speech on Thursday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said that social safety nets remain central to poverty reduction. 

“I propose Sh41.8 billion to protect the vulnerable Kenyans, including Sh24.6 billion for cash transfers to the elderly, Sh8.9 billion for cash transfers to orphans and vulnerable children and Sh1.5 billion for cash transfers to persons living with severe disabilities,” he said. 

The CS added that the allocation also includes Sh4.3 billion for the Kenya hunger safety net programme, Sh550 million for the National Fund for the Disabled of Kenya, Sh1.1 billion for the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, and Sh200 million to support autism and albinism programmes.

Mbadi also proposed Sh3.9 billion as a stipend for village elders to enhance local administrative capacities and to recognise the role they play in addressing security and other societal challenges.

Under equity, poverty reduction, and women’s and youth empowerment, Mbadi emphasised that the government aims to fund initiatives that enhance gender equality by promoting the meaningful inclusion of women in decision-making, enhancing their economic empowerment, and intensifying efforts to address gender-based violence and eliminate harmful practices such as female genital mutilation.

“To empower youth and women, I propose Sh110.2 billion for targeted initiatives. This includes Sh12.5 billion for the National Youth Service, Sh4.9 billion for the National Youth Opportunities towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, Sh1.6 billion for youth employment support programmes, and Sh1 billion for the film development service,” the CS said.

Some Sh402 million was proposed for women’s enterprise funds and Sh4.9 billion for the National Government Affirmative Action Fund to enhance their inclusion, dignity, and economic participation.

To promote regional equity and strengthen local development, Mbadi proposed Sh61.8 billion for the National Government Constituency Development Fund.

In addition, Sh10.3 billion will go towards financing programmes in marginalised areas and Sh10.5 billion for the Kenya Devolution Support Programme.

On the digital superhighway, digital connectivity, and the creative economy, which encompasses film, music, art, digital content, and design, Mbadi acknowledged that it has become a powerful engine for growth and youth empowerment.

“To accelerate digital adoption and inclusion, I propose Sh8.6 billion to this sector, including Sh4.3 billion for the Kenya digital acceleration project and 1.3 billion shillings for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the national optic fibre backbone infrastructure,” Mbadi said.

CS Mbadi proposed Sh528 million for the maintenance and rehabilitation of last-mile county connectivity, Sh309 million for government shared services, and Sh382 million for digital superhighway cybersecurity.

di, at the same time, proposed Sh400 million for the establishment of a digital house and Sh455 million for ICT infrastructure maintenance. 

Mbadi added that the government has constructed four youth empowerment centres in Mwea, Chepalungu, Dagoretti North and Mandera South constituencies.

In addition, 25 youth empowerment centres have been equipped, bringing the total to 156 centres across the country.

“The government has also enhanced skills development and wealth creation through the provision of loans to 93,559 youth entrepreneurs through the Youth Development Fund. Additionally, 91,253 youth have benefited through the start-up brand under the NYOTA programme.”

Mbadi added that the NYOTA programme has also supported 5,604 youth in 26 counties across the country.

The government has also implemented the Vijana Vuka na Afya project in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa, where 72623 youth have benefited from subsidised sexual and reproductive health services.

For the creative economy, Mbadi said the government has established three film hubs and fully equipped them at Dedan Kimathi University in Nyeri, Bomet and Migori Counties.

“A cinema theatre has been established at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology with a capacity of 150 audiences. Further to reach more youth, particularly in rural areas, a Sinema Mashinani programme has been rolled out,” he said.

Mbadi added that the government has facilitated the production of 1,745 local and foreign films in Kenya and trained 1,847 filmmakers. 

“The government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, has developed the nextgen.ke that will provide the recently graduated youth with paid internship opportunities in the private sector. The government has committed an initial 2 billion towards this programme,” he said.