The State Department for Sports has secured an additional Sh4.8 billion in the 2025/2026 Supplementary Estimates No. I, citing growing operational needs, legal commitments, and the urgency to strengthen governance across the sector.
Presenting the recommendations before the National Assembly Committee on Sports and Culture, chaired by Dan Wanyama, Principal Secretary, Elijah Mwangi revealed that the department’s budget has risen from Sh17.46 billion to Sh22.29 billion.
“The gross approved budget for the State Department for Sports was Sh17,461,760,837. This has been revised to Sh22,290,660,675 in the Supplementary Estimates, representing an increase of Sh4,828,899,838,” Mwangi told lawmakers.
The additional funds will cover both recurrent and development expenses, including staffing, sports programmes, and the settlement of a long-standing court award.
A portion of the increase will fund the recruitment of technical personnel to enhance oversight within the sports sector. According to the report, employee compensation has grown by Sh27.8 million following the hiring of 36 new officers.
“These recruitments are critical in enhancing oversight of sports federations, improving compliance with sports regulations, and strengthening sports governance,” Mwangi said.
The department will also use Sh1.1 million to support the observation and supervision of elections within registered sports federations. “The additional resources will support the observation and supervision of elections among registered sports federations in order to strengthen governance and compliance within the sports sector,” Mwangi added.
A major chunk of the supplementary funds, Sh3.8 billion, is earmarked for settling a protracted legal dispute over the ownership of Posta Sports Ground. “An allocation of Sh.3.8 billion has been provided to facilitate payment of a court award which relates to dispute on ownership of Posta Sports Ground by Telcom Kenya Limited and others versus the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage and others,” Mwangi explained.
Initially, the court had ordered the government to pay Sh15 billion, but the amount was later revised following negotiations. “The Court initially awarded compensation of Sh.15 billion. However, following subsequent engagements, the matter was resolved through an out-of-court settlement and the compensation amount was revised to Sh.9.18 billion,” Mwangi said.
The department is also seeking Sh395 million to support core operations, including hosting international events and monitoring sports facilities. An additional Sh43.4 million will cover rent shortfalls after relocating offices to Talanta Plaza, where annual lease costs exceed current allocations.
Funding gaps have also affected the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK), which needs more resources to meet international standards. “The latest compliance audit carried out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) established that ADAK is insufficiently funded to fully implement the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code,” Mwangi said. “Consequently, ADAK had been placed on watchlist to address funding gaps.” The department has requested Sh96 million to support ADAK’s staffing, testing, and education programmes.
Sports Kenya is also set to benefit from additional funding, with Sh336 million proposed to clear pending bills, pension arrears, and maintain facilities.
According to Mwangi, the supplementary allocation will strengthen service delivery and ensure the department meets both legal and governance obligations. “The additional allocation of Sh.4.8 billion will enable the State Department to address personnel capacity gaps, strengthen sports governance through enhanced election oversight, improve funding for sports development programmes, and facilitate settlement of legally binding financial obligations,” he said.
