The National Treasury has revealed Sh9.3 billion in emergency spending after the approval of the second 2024/25 supplementary budget estimates.
The Treasury had, however, approved the spending of Sh50.9 billion for emergency purposes by various ministries and State departments.
The State Department of Social Protection had the highest approved spending at Sh12.4 billion while the State Department of Roads had been authorised to receive Sh11.7 billion.
Approvals to State House stood at Sh2.75 billion while the National Intelligence Service (NIS) was to receive Sh2 billion.
The exchequer is now requesting for the approval of the expenditures under Article 223 of the Constitution, which have already been disbursed to various ministries and State departments.
The proposed sole approval of the emergency spending also points to the likelihood of ending the fiscal year on June 30 without a third supplementary budget as previously indicated by the National Treasury.
State House is among 15 government agencies that have been allocated emergency funds, receiving an extra Sh358.1 million disbursed on May 15.
“Following the approval of the 2024/25 supplementary estimates No. II, the National Treasury has granted additional funding and disbursements to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in accordance with Article 223 of the constitution,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary Mbadi says in the May 23, 2025 request to the National Assembly.
“Please find attached a schedule of additional expenditure approvals granted under Article 223 of the constitution for your necessary action.”
Article 223 of the Constitution stipulates that the national government is authorised to allocate funds that have not been appropriated under specific circumstances.
This is if the amount appropriated for any purpose is insufficient or a need has arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no amount has been appropriated or money has been withdrawn from the Contingencies Fund.
In the event money has been withdrawn from the Contingencies Fund, the Constitution requires that the approval of the National Assembly be sought within two months after the first withdrawal.
The allocation to the State House has not been explained though sources at the National Treasury revealed that the spending is linked to the ongoing multibillion-shilling renovation works at the seat of the country’s power.
State House has also been a beneficiary of the first two supplementary budget estimates in the current financial year.
On February 24, 2025, State House Comptroller Katoo Ole Metito, before MPs, defended the renovations at State House in Nairobi as the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) raised concerns that the changes compromise State House’s architectural designs, historical and cultural significance.
Mr Ole Metito told the Administration and Internal Security committee of the National Assembly that the renovations were necessary considering that the Nairobi State House had not been renovated for 117 years and that the Mombasa facility had been condemned.
“The renovations were serviced through the NIS and the Ministry Defence. They did it to make it look like a security area,” Mr Ole Metito said.
Other than the State House, the other State agencies that have been granted additional allocation by the National Treasury include the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs which has received Sh6.8 billion also disbursed on May 15.
The Department of Tourism has received Sh100.6 million which was disbursed on May 6, 2025, while the Department for Sports received Sh1.7 billion on April 4 for African Nations Championship (Chan) hosting rights.
The Chan-linked disbursement falls outside the constitutional timeline that requires the approval of the National Assembly to be sought within two months of the first withdrawal.
The purpose for the drastic increase in the allocation to the spy man has not been explained by the National Treasury.
