The government significantly increased funding for the security sector in the 2026/27 financial year, allocating a total of Sh591.2 billion to strengthen national security, improve law enforcement capabilities and support economic growth through a stable operating environment.
Presenting the budget in Parliament on Thursday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the enhanced allocation reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, security and the rule of law.
“A safe and stable environment is indispensable for development, trade and economic growth,” Mbadi said.
Under the proposed allocations, the Ministry of Defence will receive the largest share at Sh252.1 billion, followed by the National Police Service at Sh144.7 billion.
The National Intelligence Service has been allocated Sh64 billion, while Internal Security and National Administration will receive Sh63.9 billion.
Prison Services has been allocated Sh42.6 billion.
The Treasury also earmarked additional resources for key security programmes, including Sh13 billion for the police vehicle leasing programme, Sh7 billion for police modernisation and Sh1 billion for equipping the national forensic laboratory.
In a move aimed at strengthening grassroots security structures, the government has allocated Sh3.9 billion for stipends for village elders across the country.
According to Mbadi, the funds are intended to enhance local administrative capacity and recognise the role village elders play in resolving security and social challenges within communities.
Last month, Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo told the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security that Kenya has approximately 110,000 village elders supporting national government functions at the grassroots level.
Under the proposed programme, each village elder is expected to receive a monthly stipend of Sh3,000.
“The conversation about village elders began in 2016, and the House actually gave directions to the ministry.
It has taken almost 10 years to get us here,” Omollo told lawmakers.
The latest allocation continues an upward trend in security spending over the last three years.
In the 2025/26 financial year, the government allocated Sh464.9 billion to the security sector, while the 2024 budget provided Sh377.5 billion.
Last year’s allocations included Sh202.3 billion for Defence, Sh125.7 billion for the National Police Service, Sh51.4 billion for the National Intelligence Service, Sh32.5 billion for Internal Security and National Administration, and Sh38.1 billion for Prison Services.
The increased funding is expected to support ongoing security reforms, modernisation programmes and efforts to enhance public safety across the country while creating an environment conducive to investment and economic growth.
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