Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, John Mbadi, on Thursday, June 12, 2025, unveiled a Ksh29.7 billion allocation for the sports, culture, recreation, and tourism sectors in the proposed 2025/2026 national budget.

This significant investment reflects the government’s continued focus on leveraging the sectors for economic recovery and social development.

“To stimulate tourism growth in sports, culture, recreation, and arts, in order to harness national pride, empower our youth, and position Kenya as a regional beacon of talents and heritage, I have proposed Ksh29.7B to support supportsports, culture, and recreation, as well as tourism,” Mbadi said.

He noted that the proposed allocations included shares for the sports and social development fund, the establishment of an automation and digitization system for the sports registrar, Kenya Anti-Doping, some for Sports Kenya, and the Kenya Academy of Sports also, with their allocation, and others for the tourism fund and tourism promotion fund.

Allocations

“This proposed allocation includes Ksh13.5B for the sports, arts, and social development fund; Ksh2.3B to establish an automation and digitisation system for the sports registrar; Ksh241M for the anti-doping agency to make our country a main competitor in athletics and other sports; Ksh402M for Sports Kenya; Ksh245M for the Kenya Academy of Sports; Ksh8.2B for the tourism fund; and Ksh4.8B for the tourism promotion fund,” he noted.

The proposed funding, part of the Ksh4.24 trillion total expenditure plan, comes at a time when the government is grappling with a projected revenue of Ksh3.32 trillion, leaving a deficit of Ksh876.1 billion.

This is Mbadi’s first budget presentation since assuming office in a recent Cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto.

Infrastructure development

The CS emphasised infrastructure development and revitalisation of the tourism sector, citing the need to build on previous gains. For context, the 2022/2023 budget had earmarked Ksh15.8 billion for the Sports, Arts, and Social Development Fund, indicating a marked increase in commitment to these areas.

The Ksh29.7 billion allocation is expected to support flagship sporting events, cultural programs, and recreational projects aimed at stimulating grassroots economic activity and national unity.

The move aligns with the government’s broader goal of diversifying revenue sources amidst declining international tourist arrivals and county-level fiscal vulnerabilities.

Mbadi’s budget signals a shift toward strategic sectoral investment despite fiscal headwinds. The emphasis on sports and tourism is not only a bid to drive economic growth but also to foster national identity and community cohesion.

As Kenya is set to co-host the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the allocations revealed in the 2025/26 budget are expected to play a key role in final preparations.

The funds will support ongoing stadium upgrades, logistical planning, and event coordination, ensuring that venues such as Nyayo Stadium and Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, meet CAF standards ahead of the month-long continental football tournament.

As Kenya braces for economic recovery, these allocations may prove critical in unlocking untapped potential within the creative and tourism industries.