Nairobi County has emerged as the biggest winner in the 2025/26 national budget allocations — walking away with a staggering Sh21.1 billion out of the Sh405.1 billion total meant for all 47 counties.
The massive allocation was announced on Thursday in Parliament by National Treasury CS John Mbadi, marking his first budget presentation since taking office.
The announcement has sparked instant reactions across the country, as smaller counties cry foul over what they claim is a widening fiscal inequality.
“This budget underscores our commitment to reviving Kenya’s economy and fulfilling key strategic priorities,” Mbadi stated during his high-stakes address.
The Sh405.1 billion earmarked for county disbursements reflects a sharp increase from the previous fiscal year, up by Sh17.6 billion from Sh387.4 billion in 2024/25. Nairobi’s hefty allocation alone stands as a symbol of the capital’s growing political and economic clout.
According to Mbadi, the 2025/26 budget is grounded on the 25.79% share of the national revenue generated in the audited 2020/21 financial year, based on the latest verified data. Kenya’s total sharable revenue for the new cycle is a mammoth Sh2.835 trillion, with the national government retaining Sh2.419 trillion.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.Alongside the equitable share, counties will also receive conditional allocations: Sh9.95 billion from the National Government and an extra Sh56.91 billion from international development partners.
Counties Ranked: The Winners and the Underdogs after Nairobi’s Sh21.1 billion windfall, the next biggest allocations go to:
Nakuru – Sh14.3 billion
Turkana – Sh13.8 billion
Kakamega – Sh13.6 billion
Kiambu – Sh12.9 billion
Kilifi – Sh12.7 billion
Mandera – Sh12.2 billion
Meanwhile, Lamu County, often overlooked in national planning, received the lowest allocation at just Sh3.4 billion, sparking concern over regional balance and equity in development.
Other Notable Allocations:Bungoma – Sh11.7B
Kitui – Sh11.4B
Meru – Sh10.4B
Wajir – Sh10.3B
Machakos – Sh10B
Kisii – Sh9.7B
Narok – Sh9.6B
Kwale & Makueni – Sh9B each
Kajiado & Garissa – Sh8.7B each
Mombasa – Sh8.2B
Murang’a – Sh7.8B
Nyandarua – Sh6.2B
Tharaka Nithi – Sh4.6B
Kenya’s Economy: Outperforming the World?Despite global economic uncertainties, Kenya’s economy reportedly grew by 5.2% in the 2023/24 period, surpassing the global average of 3.3% and Sub-Saharan Africa’s 3.8% growth rate.
CS Mbadi emphasized that budget reforms were aligned with public expectations, noting the introduction of zero-based budgeting and revised revenue forecasts to match economic realities.
“Kenyans have long felt disconnected from our budgeting process. We’re fixing that. We’ve improved public engagement at every level — especially in how this budget is structured,” Mbadi added, striking a reformist tone.
What’s Next?The 2025/26 budget is now at the center of national debate. While some hail it as a bold step toward economic revival, others see it as a worrying tilt toward centralization and inequality.
With billions now headed to the counties, all eyes will be on how governors spend — or squander — these historic allocations.
