Nairobi Unveils Sh42.3 Billion Budget Prioritising Development, Health and Localised Service Delivery

The Nairobi County Government has announced a Sh42.3 billion budget for the 2023/2024 financial year, outlining an ambitious plan aimed at strengthening service delivery, improving healthcare facilities and accelerating infrastructure upgrades across the capital. Finance Executive Charles Kerich said the budget—one-third of which is dedicated to development—reflects the county’s commitment to improving the daily lives of residents through targeted investments. The revenue framework combines Sh21.3 billion in national government transfers, Sh1.2 billion in grants, and Sh19.9 billion expected from the county’s own revenue streams.
Kerich noted that allocating 33 percent of the total budget to development spending complies with the Public Finance Management Act, which requires counties to prioritise capital investments. As part of efforts to decentralise services, the budget dedicates Sh400 million to the construction and operationalisation of borough, sub-county and ward offices—intended to become one-stop centres for residents seeking county services. The move is designed to cut bureaucratic delays, reduce travel time for citizens and lower the operational costs of doing business in Nairobi.
Another major focus of the budget is health. The county plans to spend Sh400 million on supplying essential medicines and non-pharmaceuticals to public health facilities, alongside an additional Sh1.1 billion earmarked for constructing, equipping and rehabilitating hospitals and clinics. Education also receives significant attention, with Sh1.2 billion allocated to the school feeding programme for public primary schools and early childhood centres. An extra Sh500 million will go towards constructing kitchens and food-service blocks. Officials say the initiative aims to support the nutritional well-being of more than 250,000 pupils and improve learning outcomes by boosting attendance and transition rates.
Infrastructure remains a cornerstone of the county’s development agenda, with Sh2.6 billion set aside for upgrading roads, improving street lighting, expanding stormwater drainage and enhancing pedestrian safety. Kerich emphasised that completing ongoing road projects will take precedence, ensuring that taxpayer resources already committed to construction are put to full use. In addition, the county has allocated nearly Sh2 billion through the Ward Development Programme to address disparities in resource distribution, with each ward set to identify and implement priority projects based on local needs.