Nyeri: Nyeri residents have called for a review of the proposed 2025 Finance Bill to reflect the pressing needs of the ordinary citizen. Speaking during a public hearing on the 2025/2026 Budget estimates at the Anglican Church Kenya, St Peter's Cathedral in Nyeri town, the residents have criticized the executive for presenting an imbalanced budget proposal that has failed to prioritize critical sectors such as health and education.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Executive has proposed a Sh 4.2 trillion budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year. It includes a Sh 1.7 trillion allocation for recurrent expenditures and Sh 707.8 billion for funding various development projects and programs. The estimates indicate that some Sh1.3 trillion has been earmarked for Consolidated Fund Services (CFS), which primarily includes Sh1 trillion for interest payments on public debts and Sh239.6 billion for pensions and salaries of constitutional commissions and independent offices. The estimates also include a Sh 405.1 billion allocation as County equitable share for the devolved units.
The government expects to collect Sh3.3 trillion, of which Sh2.7 trillion will be ordinary revenue and Sh559.9 billion is Appropriations in Aid. The government also anticipates receiving grants from development partners amounting to Sh 46.9 billion. The resulting balance of Sh 876.1 billion will be financed through domestic and external borrowing.
Some of the biggest beneficiaries in the proposed budget estimates include the Teachers Service Commission (Sh 387 billion), Ministry of Defence (Sh 200 billion), and State Department for Roads (Sh 195 billion). Other state departments with considerable budgetary allocations include the State Department for Higher Education (Sh 144 billion), State Department for Basic Education (Sh 126 billion), National Police Service (Sh 125 billion), State Department for Housing and Urban Development (Sh 119 billion), and National Treasury (Sh 118 billion).
John Kiambati expressed concerns over the budget's effectiveness, questioning the prioritization of resources. He highlighted the need for reallocating funds to sectors like education, health, and agriculture. Nelson Maina echoed these sentiments, criticizing the proposed Sh 67 billion budget cuts to the health sector, which could undermine Universal Health Coverage and the digitization of health infrastructure.
Mary Wairimu called for an upward revision of the education budget to reduce the overreliance on Constituency Development Fund bursaries. She also suggested drilling boreholes in schools to alleviate the burden of water bills on parents. Participation from primary and secondary school children highlighted the need for additional resources for the school feeding program, laboratory construction for Junior Secondary schools, and increased allocation for free sanitary towels for schoolgirls.
Mukurwe-ini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia advocated for reorganizing the budget to prioritize health, agriculture, and education sectors. He pointed out fiscal excesses in allocations to the Executive office of the President, Deputy, and State House, urging the government to reduce unnecessary spending.
Imenti South MP, John Paul Mwirigi, reassured residents that their feedback would be consolidated and presented during the tabling of the budget proposal before the National Assembly. He emphasized that public resources would be utilized to benefit the taxpayer and ensure the budget reflects the needs of Kenyans.