The National Treasury has suggested an increase of Sh88 billion in the second supplementary budget for 2024-2025, which will assist various public sector workers if the National Assembly approves it. Teachers, university lecturers, police officers, and prison staff are among the primary recipients eagerly anticipating salary increases and enhancements to their working conditions.
The proposed budget includes allocations of Sh68 billion for ministerial activities, with Sh24.7 billion designated for recurrent expenditures and Sh43 billion reserved for developmental initiatives. This financial allocation aims to tackle long-standing salary grievances and address urgent issues such as outstanding medical insurance premiums, which have left many public workers, including teachers and police personnel, without vital healthcare services.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) stands to gain the most from the additional funds, with Sh17 billion allocated in total. Out of this, Sh10 billion will be directed toward salary adjustments for teachers, while Sh6.9 billion is set aside to enhance their basic pay. Additionally, Sh4.7 billion will ensure that the mandatory health insurance contributions for teachers are settled, responding to concerns from educators denied medical services due to unpaid premiums.
The National Police Service, encountering similar insurance coverage challenges, is set to receive an additional Sh5 billion to meet its medical insurance requirements. This funding is intended to guarantee that officers have adequate coverage and can receive healthcare without disruptions.
University lecturers and non-teaching staff are also slated to benefit from this budget increase, with Sh6.5 billion allocated to the Higher Education Department. A substantial part, Sh4.3 billion, will be dedicated to fulfilling obligations under the 2021-2024 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) for university staff.
Moreover, prison officers are included in the funding distribution, ensuring that correctional services personnel will receive improved remuneration for their responsibilities.
In addition to the enhancements in salaries and insurance, Sh2.1 billion has been allocated for international peacekeeping missions, demonstrating the government’s dedication to its peacekeeping roles abroad.
If this financial plan is approved, it will offer essential relief to numerous public servants who have been campaigning for better wages, healthcare, and overall working conditions. This budgetary increase underscores the government’s commitment to addressing long-standing issues within critical sectors essential for the effective delivery of public services in the country.
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