The Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation has raised concerns over a proposal by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries seeking Kshs. 991 million to facilitate the hosting of the 11th Our Ocean Conference scheduled for June this year.

During a meeting to review Supplementary Estimates 1 for FY 2025/26, Members questioned the size of the allocation and sought clarification on the breakdown of the expenditure.

In response, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Ms. Betsy Njagi, told the committee that Kenya will be the lead planner and host of the conference, which will be held in Africa for the first time and is therefore responsible for coordinating the planning and logistical arrangements for the global event.

The State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries has an approved allocation of Kshs. 8.229 billion for the 2025/2026 Financial Year. However, Supplementary Estimates I increased the allocation by Kshs. 2.568 billion to Kshs. 10.798 billion.

The Principal Secretary further requested an additional Kshs. 1.579 billion to cater for key priority areas, including preparations for the Our Ocean Conference and the settlement of pending bills.

The committee also met officials from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation led by Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa, alongside Principal Secretaries Mr. Julius Korir (Water and Sanitation) and CPA Ephantus Kimotho (Irrigation), who presented their respective budget proposals and ongoing programmes.

The State Department for Water and Sanitation reported that its overall allocation had increased by Kshs. 1.668 billion from the initial Kshs. 53.95 billion to Kshs. 55.62 billion. Principal Secretary Julius Korir requested an additional Kshs. 27.79 billion to fund critical projects aimed at improving water access and sanitation services across the country.

Meanwhile, the State Department for Irrigation received an additional allocation of Kshs. 3.795 billion, raising its budget from the initial Kshs. 7.548 billion provided in the Budget Estimates to Kshs. 11.343 billion.

Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho informed the committee that several irrigation projects risk being affected due to a reduction in donor funding amounting to Kshs. 451 million.