Kenyans React as Warren Buffett Grants Kenya KSh 3.8b to Fund 2025/2026 Budget

• Kenya's National Treasury noted that the funds from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation would be allocated to the State Department of Medical Services
• The country's healthcare faces financial challenges after US president Donald Trump froze aid in a new foreign policy
• Geopolitical economist Aly-Khan Satchu opined that the foundation could be working with USAID to plug the budget deficit caused by Trump's aid freeze

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenya will receive a KSh 3.8 billion grant from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, a nonprofit organisation established by billionaire Warren Buffett, as part of the external funding for the 2025/2026 budget.

How Warren Buffett's grant will be spent

The National Treasury's budget estimates indicate that the foundation's contribution will be transferred to the State Department of Medical Services.

This comes after the US president Donald Trump froze aid for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and reduced international donations.

Geopolitical economist Aly-Khan Satchu opined that the foundation could be working with USAID to plug the budget deficit caused by Trump's aid freeze.

"The charitable foundation is independent of Berkshire Hathaway and entirely philanthropic. I suspect a compelling argument was made around the shortfall and its deep impact, and that this appeal was heard sympathetically. They also probably participated alongside USAID and could be meeting shortfalls where they are already committed," Aly told TUKO.co.ke.

Citizen Digital reported that the funds would be used to enhance healthcare services nationwide.

According to NTV, Treasury CS John Mbadi disclosed that the government will evaluate the current budget to prioritise important areas, noting that the freeze would result in a Ksh 52 billion deficit in fiscal year 2024/2025.

How did Kenyans react?

TUKO.co.ke sampled some comments online:

Msufi Mkavu:

"Wait a minute! How is this captured in the budget? How is it immunised against acute corruption in the Ministry of Health?"

Simon Jordan:

"It covers 18.1% of the KSh 20.93 billion project budget for Kenya’s State Department of Medical Services."

Raymond Otieno:

"We all know it won't get to impact healthcare. If donated fertilisers turned soil and got sold at KSh 2500, climate change grants got diverted to God knows where, then this new funding will not be any different."

Jimmy Mayore:

"The Presidency is spending more than this amount on useless renovations and hiring useless advisers."

Peter Mwai:

"Buffett’s donation isn’t charity - it’s influence wrapped in billions. Kenya doesn’t need strings attached to foreign ‘help’."

@watu_saba:

"We need transparency in the use of collected and donated funds in this country, otherwise this will be kept as campaign money for 2027.'

@cunnincocoon:

"What interests does this man have in our health sector. With this government, we have learnt to question everything."

@MironeOfficial:

"Entrepreneurs invest...What is he investing?"

@doubleblackTkd:

"He's pushing an agenda in the health sector. Fear them."

@iamJeffCFC:

"Where will the money go? Into a few people's pockets."

@luwigyy:

"Our health is at risk even after the COVID-19 pandemic. Can the government unlearn?"

What's the estimated budget for 2025/2026 FY?

The Budget Policy Statement (BPS) for 2025/2026 was released by the National Treasury, increasing Kenya’s overall budget projections from KSh 3.98 trillion in 2024/2025 to KSh 4.26 trillion.

With appropriations-in-aid included, revenue is anticipated to reach KSh 3.39 trillion, with ordinary revenue accounting for KSh 2.84 trillion.

The government will disburse KSh 436.7 billion to counties, while KSh 725.1 billion will be allocated to development projects, and KSh 3.1 trillion for recurrent expenditure.

Source: TUKO.co.ke