How Ministries spent Sh132b in three months

Government ministries spent Sh132.65 billion on development in the first three months of the financial year 2025/26, a report by the Controller of Budget shows.

This recorded an absorption rate of 18 per cent, compared to Sh106.39 billion (17 per cent) recorded in a similar last financial year.

The Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o said an analysis of Ministries and Departments development expenditure by economic classification, shows the highest spending category was Capital Transfers at Sh80.76 billion, representing 61 per cent of the gross development expenditure.

The National Government Budget Implementation Review Report explains that the Capital Transfers may be in form of subsidies, grants or direct transfers to Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies meant to complement activities and mandates executed on behalf of parent ministries.

“Construction of Civil Works at Sh32.56 billion was the second highest spending category, representing 25 per cent, while other budget items with significant expenses include the purchase of specialised Plant, Equipment and Machinery at Sh4 billion,” said Dr Nyakang’o.

A Further analysis shows the State Department for Roads had the highest Capital Transfers at Sh16.89 billion, representing 21 per cent of the total Capital Transfers, followed by the State Department for Economic Planning at Sh11.26 billion and representing 14 per cent of the total capital transfers.

The National Government Budget Implementation Review Report showed that the State Department for Housing and Urban Development spent Sh30.1 billion while the State Department of Roads used Sh17.3 billion making them the highest spenders on development amongst government departments.

The State Department of Economic Planning spent Sh11.2 billion while the National Treasury used Sh5.9 billion, State Department of Transport used Sh7.5billion while the State Department of Immigration and Citizen services used Sh4.2billion and the State Department of Internal Security used Sh3.6 billion. “The State Department for Basic Education used Sh4.4billion, the State Department of Higher Education used Sh1.2 billion and the State Department for Vocational and Technical Training Sh741million for development in the first quarter of financial year 2025/26,” said Dr Nyakang’o.

The State Department of Water and Sanitation used Sh8.9billion, the State Department of Sports spent Sh3.7 billion, the State Department of Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy used Sh2 billion while the State Department for Irrigation used Sh1.8 billion for development.

The State Department for Crop Development spent Sh6.8billion, the State Department for Medical Services used Sh2.6 billion while the State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards used Sh1.2 billion and the State Department for Livestock Development used Sh799million for development.

The State Department of Energy spent Sh5.1 billion, State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries spent Sh2.2 billion, the State Department of Investment Promotion used Sh915million, while the State Department of Industry used Sh447 million for development.

“The Executive Office of the President spent Sh377 million, State House spent Sh235million, the Ministry of Defense used Sh187 million, National Police Service used Sh60.9million and the State Department for Public Investments and Assets Management used Sh20.8 million for development,” said Dr Nyakang’o.

The State Department for Petroleum spent Sh499 million, the State Department for Cooperatives used Sh400 million, the State Department for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development used Sh178million while the State Department of Trade used Sh68 million for development.

The State Department for Lands and Physical Planning spent Sh295 million, the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development used Sh165.6 million, and the State Department for Youth Affairs used Sh72 million while the State Department of Mining used Sh2 million for development.

The State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action spent Sh2 billion, the State Department for Public Service used Sh581 million, the State Department for Forestry used Sh569 million, the State Department for Wildlife spent Sh391 million and the State Department of Environment spent Sh348 million for development.