Nairobi – In a clear signal of renewed intent, the Kenyan government has raised funding for anti-corruption and governance institutions in its latest budget. The move, officials say, reflects a serious push to clean up public service and restore trust in state institutions.
The 2025/2026 budget, presented to Parliament on Thursday by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, allocates KSh 99.6 billion to agencies that promote good governance, justice and oversight. That’s a KSh 6.5 billion increase from the previous year.
“Corruption remains a real threat to our national development goals,” said Mr Mbadi in his address. “To realise the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, we must invest in institutions that uphold the rule of law and protect public resources.”
Who’s Getting What
Among the key beneficiaries of the increased funding:
- Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC): KSh 4.5 billion, up from KSh 4.2 billion
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP): KSh 4.5 billion, up from KSh 4.0 billion
- Judiciary: KSh 27.8 billion, up from KSh 24.7 billion
- Parliament: KSh 48.0 billion, up from KSh 44.6 billion
- Office of the Auditor General: Maintains previous allocation at KSh 8.7 billion
- State Law Office: Sees a cut, down to KSh 5.3 billion from KSh 6.9 billion
The Judiciary’s budget increase will support digitisation, court expansion, and infrastructure upgrades efforts meant to speed up justice and widen access. In Mr Mbadi’s words, “A modern and efficient justice system is central to economic and social progress.”
While most governance bodies received a bump, not all saw gains. The State Law Office, which provides legal advice to government ministries, will operate on a reduced budget this year. The Treasury did not explain the cut.
Building Stronger Institutions
Kenya has long battled corruption, with scandals frequently making headlines and drawing public anger. Transparency International ranked the country 123rd out of 180 in its latest global Corruption Perceptions Index.
Experts have often cited underfunded oversight bodies and slow judicial processes as obstacles to meaningful change. This budget, Mr Mbadi argues, aims to change that.
“A well-funded Judiciary and Parliament are not a luxury,” he said. “They’re essential pillars for enforcing accountability and maintaining democracy.”
Civil society groups welcomed the increase in funding but warned that money alone won’t fix the problem.
“The test is not just how much is allocated, but how effectively it’s spent,” said Sarah Wanjiku, a governance analyst at the Kenya Human Rights Commission. “If these funds strengthen investigations, prosecutions and transparency, then we may start to see real progress.”
The Bigger Picture
The boost in governance spending comes as Kenya navigates a delicate balance between debt repayment and public sector reform. The Treasury has proposed tough fiscal measures elsewhere, including new tax brackets and levies.
Still, Mbadi insists the government must stick to its priorities. “We will not achieve economic growth without first tackling the rot that weakens our institutions,” he told MPs.
Whether this injection of funds will translate into cleaner government remains to be seen. But for now, Kenya’s leadership has staked a public claim on fighting corruption and backed it with shillings.
