Counties to receive Sh474 Billion in 2025-26 Budget

National Treasury CS John Mbadi (Centre), National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman Samuel Atandi(right) on June 12, 2025 [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

National Treasury, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has unveiled a Sh474.1 billion allocation to county governments for the 2025/26 financial year—an increase of Sh17.6 billion from the current financial year.

In his first budget speech since taking over at the Treasury, Mbadi said the total county allocation represents 25.79 percent of the nationally raised revenue from the 2020/21 financial year, based on the latest audited accounts.

It includes Sh9.95 billion in conditional allocations from the national government's revenue and another Sh56.91 billion in conditional grants from development partners.

"This budget reaffirms the priority policies and strategies aimed at stimulating economic recovery. I remain mindful of the aspirations and high expectations as I serve in this office," Mbadi told Parliament on Thursday.

Mbadi, who took office earlier this year, struck an optimistic tone, citing Kenya's economic resilience amid global shocks.

“Kenya’s economy has remained resilient, recording an average growth of 5.2 percent in the 2023/24 period, surpassing global growth of 3.3 percent and 3.8 percent for Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.

He emphasized the government’s commitment to transparency, noting that citizens were actively engaged in shaping the national budget.

“We have strengthened public participation in all policy formulation, including the budget-making process,” he added. 

Under the equitable share formula, county allocations vary widely depending on population, poverty levels, land area, and other criteria.

Nairobi Sh21.1 billion, Nakuru Sh14.3 billion, Turkana Sh13.8 billion, Kakamega Sh13.6 billion, Mandera Sh12.2 billion, Kiambu Sh12.9 billion, Kilifi Sh12.7 billion.

Kitui Sh11.4 billion, Bungoma Sh11.7 billion, Wajir Sh10.3 billion, Machakos Sh10 billion, Meru Sh10.4 billion, Kisii Sh9.7 billion, Kwale Sh9 billion, Makueni and Uasin Gishu Sh8.9 billion each, Kisumu and Migori Sh8.8 billion each while Garissa and Kajiado Sh8.7 billion each.

Mombasa Sh8.2 billion, Murang’a Sh7.8 billion, Trans Nzoia and Busia Sh7.9 billion each.

Baringo Sh7 billion, West Pokot Sh6.9 billion, Nyeri Sh6.8 billion, Laikipia Sh5.6 billion, Tharaka Nithi Sh4.6 billion, and Lamu Sh3.4 billion.

The national government's overall allocation stands at Sh2.419 trillion, with total shareable revenue pegged at Sh2.835 trillion.