Several parliamentary committee chairpersons have raised alarm over significant budget cuts in the proposed 2025/26 financial year, warning that the reductions could cripple critical government projects.

The projects they fear might be affected severely are the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and reforms at the National Youth Service (NYS).

In a press statement issued by Parliament on May 23, 2025, the lawmakers cited repeated funding reductions to key ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) as a major threat to ongoing projects.

“Committee chairpersons have raised concerns over repeated and significant budget cuts, warning that they are undermining the implementation and completion of key government projects,” the statement reads in part.

These concerns emerged during presentations to the Budget and Appropriations Committee on the 2025/2026 Budget Estimates.

Critical allocations needed

Addressing the committee, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, who heads the Sports and Culture Committee, warned that Kenya risks breaching its obligations as co-host of AFCON 2027 if it fails to allocate the Ksh3.9 billion (USD 30 million) required for the hosting rights fee by April 2026.

“He also proposed budget increases to improve sports infrastructure across constituencies and support various critical projects under his committee’s oversight,” the statement added.

Decrying the budget allocations, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, who chairs the Social Protection Committee, urged the Treasury to allocate an additional Ksh250 million to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya and Ksh4.6 billion to support the commercialisation of the NYS.

“Ng’ang’a appealed for Ksh250 million to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya to expand its emergency response, education support, family tracing, and reintegration services. She also requested an additional Ksh4.6 billion to commercialise the National Youth Service (NYS),” the statement adds.

In his submission, Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, who chairs the Blue Economy, Water, and Irrigation Committee, said the State Department for Water and Sanitation faces a Ksh1.96 billion cut in recurrent expenditure and Ksh8.4 billion in development funding.

The lawmaker further highlighted that the Department for Irrigation is set to lose Ksh2.19 billion in development funds, while the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries will also see a combined cut of over Ksh2.7 billion.

“The State Department for Water and Sanitation has a reduction of Ksh1.96 billion in recurrent and Ksh8.4 billion in development expenditure; the State Department for Irrigation has a reduction of Ksh166 million in recurrent and Ksh2.19 billion in development, while the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries has a reduction of Ksh753 million and Ksh2 billion in recurrent and development expenditure, respectively. This will ultimately affect critical ongoing projects,” Bowen warned.

Additional proposals

On the other hand, Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, Chairperson of the Administration and Internal Security Committee, called for additional allocations to recruit 10,000 new police constables.

He additionally appealed for more funds to modernise the Government Printer, support ongoing security operations, and formally integrate village elders into the National Government Administrative Service structure.

Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, who chairs the Environment, Forestry, and Mining Committee, also proposed a budgetary increment of Ksh200 million each for the restoration of wetlands and the Forest Roads Project.

However, he suggested a reduction of Ksh400 million from the Tree Growing Campaign and Rangeland Restoration Project to reprioritise funding.

The Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, is expected to receive further submissions from additional committees next week before tabling the final budget report in Parliament.