Parliament Approves KSh45 Billion Security Budget Increase Amid Border Threats

The National Assembly has approved an extra KSh10 billion for the National Intelligence Service (NIS) as part of a wider KSh45 billion increase in funding for Kenya’s security sector. The move comes as security concerns grow along Kenya’s northern borders and instability in the region continues to rise.

Parliament passed the Supplementary Estimates I for the 2025/26 financial year on Thursday after adopting a report from the Budget and Appropriations Committee. The additional funds will go to the Ministry of Defence, NIS, and the National Police Service to strengthen national security operations.

The Ministry of Defence received the largest share of the increase, getting an extra KSh24.4 billion on top of its current KSh202.3 billion budget. Officials said the money will mainly support salary adjustments and improve the country’s defence capabilities.

The National Police Service was allocated KSh7.5 billion to support its operations. This includes KSh2 billion set aside to cover gaps in group life insurance and medical cover for police officers and their families.

An additional KSh3 billion was approved to support salaries and operational needs for internal security officers.

According to documents presented in Parliament, the NIS will receive KSh10 billion to improve intelligence gathering, especially as security conditions in the East African region become more unstable.

This development comes at a time when tensions in neighbouring Sudan have raised regional concern. Recently, Sudan accused Ethiopia of being involved in drone attacks targeting Sudanese cities. The claims have been denied by Ethiopia, but the situation has increased worries about possible regional escalation.

If the conflict expands further, countries like Kenya could face increased security and humanitarian pressure.

The new budget raises Kenya’s total government spending to KSh4.66 trillion, which is 8.6% higher than what Parliament approved in June 2024.

The Treasury used special constitutional powers under Article 223, which allows spending on urgent and unexpected needs that were not included in the original budget.

In recent months, Kenyan security agencies have also reported success in stopping several terror-related plots. In February, NIS and the Special Operations Group (SOG) stopped a planned attack during Ramadan in Nairobi, recovering firearms, ammunition, grenades, and a pistol.

In another incident the same month, SOG officers stopped suspected Al-Shabaab militants who were trying to plant explosives along the Alungu-Elwak road. Two suspects were killed in a shootout, and weapons and explosive devices were recovered.