Counties will receive Sh405 billion in equitable share from the national government in the 2025/26 financial year, an increase of Sh17.6 billion from the current Sh387.4 billion allocation.
The new allocation represents twenty-five point seven nine per cent of actual revenues raised nationally during the 2020/21 financial year, based on the latest audited accounts approved by Parliament.
In addition to the equitable share, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi allocated Sh9.95 billion as conditional grants from the National Government’s share of revenue, and a further Sh56.91 billion from development partners.
In total, the national government will spend Sh2.419 trillion, while the total shareable revenue is projected at Sh2.835 trillion.
Delivering his first budget statement since assuming office, CS Mbadi pledged that the government remains committed to economic recovery and addressing the needs of Kenyans.
“I remain mindful of the aspirations and high expectations as I serve in this office. This budget reaffirms our policies and strategies to stimulate economic recovery,” Mbadi told Parliament.
He noted that Kenya’s economy showed resilience in the past year, recording an average growth rate of five point two per cent in the 2023/24 period—outperforming the global average of three point three per cent, and three point eight per cent in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Mbadi also emphasised the government’s efforts to enhance public involvement in policymaking.
“We have strengthened public participation in all policy formulation, including the budget-making process,” he said.
County Allocations
Under the 2025/26 budget, the 47 counties will receive the following in equitable share:
- Nairobi – Sh21.1 billion
- Turkana – Sh13.8 billion
- Kakamega – Sh13.6 billion
- Nakuru – Sh14.3 billion
- Mandera – Sh12.2 billion
- Kiambu – Sh12.9 billion
- Kilifi – Sh12.7 billion
- Garissa – Sh8.7 billion
- Kisii – Sh9.7 billion
- Kitui – Sh11.4 billion
- Mombasa – Sh8.2 billion
- Uasin Gishu – Sh8.9 billion
- Meru – Sh10.4 billion
- Machakos – Sh10 billion
- Wajir – Sh10.3 billion
- Narok – Sh9.6 billion
- Kwale – Sh9 billion
- Makueni – Sh8.9 billion
- Kisumu – Sh8.8 billion
- Homa Bay – Sh8.5 billion
- Busia – Sh7.9 billion
- Marsabit – Sh7.9 billion
- Murang’a – Sh7.8 billion
- Nandi – Sh7.7 billion
- Siaya – Sh7.6 billion
- Bomet – Sh7.3 billion
- Kericho – Sh7.1 billion
- Tana River – Sh7.1 billion
- Baringo – Sh7 billion
- West Pokot – Sh6.9 billion
- Nyeri – Sh6.8 billion
- Nyandarua – Sh6.2 billion
- Samburu – Sh5.9 billion
- Nyamira – Sh5.6 billion
- Laikipia – Sh5.6 billion
- Vihiga – Sh5.5 billion
- Taita Taveta – Sh5.3 billion
- Isiolo – Sh5.1 billion
- Elgeyo Marakwet – Sh5 billion
- Embu – Sh5.6 billion
- Kirinyaga – Sh5.7 billion
- Tharaka Nithi – Sh4.6 billion
- Lamu – Sh3.4 billion
The Treasury has also set aside significant investments in education and confirmed efforts to resolve uncertainties surrounding the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).
CS Mbadi acknowledged concerns that previous budgets were seen as unrealistic and pledged that his office is addressing those perceptions through new reforms.
“There has been public perception and concern in the past that our budgets tend to be unrealistic. To address this, we adopted a zero-based budgeting approach,” he stated.
