Ruto Defends Budget Priorities As Education, Health And Agriculture Receive Major Allocations
News Updated: 23 June 2026 20:15 EAT
Photo courtesy : President William Samoei Ruto today when he signed the Finance Bill for the 2026-2027 financial year
President William Ruto used his assent of the Finance Act 2026 and Appropriation Act 2026 to outline what he described as the government’s investment priorities for the 2026/27 financial year, placing education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and infrastructure at the center of public spending.
Education emerged as the biggest beneficiary in the budget, receiving an allocation of Kenya Shillings 784 billion, compared to Kenya Shillings 526 billion in 2022. The President said the increased allocation was intended to strengthen access to learning and improve long-term human capital development.
“Education receives the largest allocation in this budget: Kenya Shillings 784 billion, up from 526 billion in 2022. This investment reflects a simple belief: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to succeed.”
Ruto announced that 20,000 teachers currently serving on contract terms would transition to permanent and pensionable employment, while an additional 24,000 teachers would be recruited.
“To honor our commitment to teachers on contract, 20,000 teachers will transition to permanent and pensionable terms… bringing the total number of teachers hired under this administration to 124,000 teachers.”
The government also significantly expanded support for higher education financing. The Higher Education Loans Board will receive Kenya Shillings 56.7 billion, while scholarships for universities, TVET institutions and KMTC will receive Kenya Shillings 40.4 billion.
“The Higher Education Loans Board will receive 56.7 billion Kenya Shillings… students in our TVETs and universities shared that they needed additional money to fund their education.”
Ruto further announced policy changes allowing KMTC students to access HELB funding, saying the move followed feedback received during public engagements.
Funding for free day secondary education and junior school capitation was increased to Kenya Shillings 84.6 billion, while free primary education received Kenya Shillings 7 billion.
“We have further provided 1.5 billion for examinations and another 9.9 billion for the administration of national exams… Kenya Shillings 3 billion has been allocated for our school feeding program.”
The government also allocated Kenya Shillings 15 billion for construction of classrooms, laboratories and STEM facilities, particularly in underserved regions.
“So far, we have built 23,000 classrooms… these 15 billion Kenya Shillings allocated under this budget will enhance more classrooms and more laboratories—specifically 1,600 laboratories.”
In healthcare, the President announced an increase in sector funding from Kenya Shillings 132 billion to Kenya Shillings 175.5 billion.
“Primary healthcare will now receive 19.1 billion… no Kenyan should pay for outpatient services at dispensaries, health centers and sub-county health facilities.”
Ruto said accredited public, private and faith-based facilities should not charge outpatient patients where services are covered under the government framework.
“Any facility in the Republic of Kenya that charges any citizen when they go for outpatient service—we will shortly make it criminal for anybody to charge any citizen.”
Additional healthcare funding includes Kenya Shillings 3.7 billion for community health promoters and expanded support through the Social Health Authority.
“We have allocated Kenya Shillings 3.7 billion to support all our 107,000 community health promoters through the replenishment of kits and tools.”
The government also increased funding for medical commodities through KEMSA to address recurring shortages.
“Funding for the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority has increased from 5 billion to 21 billion… there should be no shortage of essential medicine in our health facilities.”
Agriculture received Kenya Shillings 63 billion, up from Kenya Shillings 44 billion previously, with major allocations directed toward subsidies and food production.
“We have set aside Kenya Shillings 20 billion for seed and fertilizer subsidies… Already, 6.5 million farmers are benefiting.”
The President said the subsidy programme would maintain fertilizer prices at Kenya Shillings 2,500 per 50-kilogram bag.
Support was also directed to sugar, coffee and livestock sectors, alongside investments in processing and industrial parks.
“We have provided 2 billion Kenya Shillings to waive coffee debts… and provided 3.85 billion to county aggregation and industrial parks.”
Youth and grassroots empowerment programmes received nearly Kenya Shillings 110 billion through various initiatives.
“This includes Kenya Shillings 22.6 billion for youth programs and 12.4 billion for the National Youth Service to recruit an additional 10,000 young people.”
Cash transfers and social protection programmes were also expanded to vulnerable households across the country.
“We have allocated 25 billion for cash transfers benefiting 1.2 million vulnerable households.”
The judiciary allocation increased to Kenya Shillings 30 billion from Kenya Shillings 16 billion in 2022.
“Funding the judiciary is not just about justice; it is also about development.”
Affordable housing and urban development were allocated Kenya Shillings 138 billion to sustain construction and associated employment.
“Affordable housing remains a key pillar… with 244,000 housing units under construction and more than 640,000 jobs supported.”
Infrastructure spending included roads, rail, logistics and transport development.
“Accordingly, 225 billion has been allocated to roads and Kenya Shillings 52 billion to transport infrastructure.”
Energy, digital connectivity and public services modernization also featured prominently in the budget framework.
“The digital economy… will receive 10.5 billion to connect public institutions, provide devices and expand digital skills.”
Water, sanitation, fisheries and environmental investments were earmarked to support regional development and climate resilience.
Tourism and sports sectors also received allocations intended to improve facilities and boost economic returns.
Concluding his address, the President said the budget reflected a long-term development strategy aimed at creating jobs, expanding opportunities and improving public services.
“Taken together, these investments reflect a government focused not only on managing the present but also on building a stronger future… nation-building is a work in progress.”
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD