The National Treasury has unveiled a proposal for an additional Sh88 billion in the 2024-2025 second supplementary budget, set to benefit a broad range of public sector employees if approved by the National Assembly. Key groups set to benefit include teachers, police officers, prison staff, and university lecturers, many of whom have been seeking long-overdue salary adjustments and improvements in their working conditions.
The proposed budget allocates Sh68 billion for ministerial expenditures, with Sh24.7 billion designated for recurrent costs and Sh43 billion directed towards development projects. This funding aims to address outstanding salary demands and resolve ongoing issues, such as unpaid insurance premiums that have prevented teachers and police officers from accessing essential medical care.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) stands to receive the largest share, with Sh17 billion allocated. Of this, Sh10 billion will be used to implement salary adjustments, while Sh6.9 billion will go towards increasing basic salaries. In addition, Sh4.7 billion will ensure that teachers’ mandatory health insurance contributions are paid, following concerns that some educators have been denied medical services due to unpaid premiums.
The National Police Service, also facing challenges related to insurance coverage, will receive an additional Sh5 billion to address its medical insurance requirements, ensuring that officers have uninterrupted access to healthcare.
University lecturers and non-teaching staff will also benefit from the budget proposal, with Sh6.5 billion allocated to the Higher Education Department. A major portion, Sh4.3 billion, will be used to honor commitments under the 2021-2024 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for university employees.
Prison officers are another group included in the funding plan, ensuring that those working in correctional services receive better compensation for their efforts.
Additionally, Sh2.1 billion has been earmarked for international peacekeeping operations, emphasizing the government’s continued support for peacekeeping efforts abroad.
If the National Assembly approves this proposal, the new allocations will provide much-needed relief to thousands of public servants, addressing their demands for better pay, improved healthcare, and more favorable working conditions. This significant budget boost underscores the government’s commitment to resolving longstanding issues within critical sectors of the public service.
