- KSh 464.8 billion allocated to the security sector in 2025/26, up from KSh 377.5 billion.
- The budget covers defence, police, prisons, intelligence, and security systems.
- New money to help with recruitment, equipment upgrades, and housing for officers.
- CS Mbadi says the move supports the BETA plan and long-term national stability.
- Police digitisation and passport services are also set for improvements.
The government has put aside KSh 464.8 billion in the 2025/26 financial year to strengthen Kenya’s safety and defence systems, marking a steep rise from last year’s KSh 377.5 billion.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, while tabling the budget in Parliament, said the step is in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the wider Vision 2030 development plan.
Where the Funds Will Go
A large chunk of the money will go to various arms of national security, with clear increases across most departments.
Security Budget Breakdown: Defence – KSh 202.3B (previously KSh 173.1B) Police Service – KSh 125.7B (previously KSh 110.6B) Intelligence – KSh 51.4B (previously KSh 46.3B) Prisons – KSh 38.1B (previously KSh 32.7B) Internal Security – KSh 32.5B Police Vehicle Leasing – KSh 10B (slightly down) Police Modernisation – KSh 3.6B (maintained) National Forensics – KSh 1.2B (up from KSh 918M)
Recruitment, Upgrades, and Modern Tools
Mbadi pointed out that the raised budget will cover hiring more officers in the police, army, and prison services. It will also support the purchase of new security tools, vehicles, and upgrades to existing systems.
Digital services are also set for a boost, with planned improvements in passport and national ID processing systems.
Focus on the Welfare of Security Personnel
Part of the budget will go into building housing units and medical centres for officers, something the government believes will help improve morale and service delivery.
“These efforts are key in protecting the country from modern threats and helping us reach our development goals,” said CS Mbadi.
Why Security Spending Matters
The significant increase in funding shows that the state sees security as the backbone of economic progress and public trust. The government hopes that by strengthening safety measures, Kenya will attract more investors, improve service delivery, and boost public confidence in national systems.
