National Treasury CS John Mbadi has warned that Kenya's rising monthly wage bill, now at Sh80 billion, poses a significant threat to the economy by crowding out development projects. He emphasized the need for fiscal discipline despite pressures to increase salaries, including those for university staff.

• The government's monthly wage bill has increased from Sh75 billion in January to approximately Sh80 billion, meaning nearly Sh960 billion annually.
• CS Mbadi stated that the percentage of ordinary revenue allocated to salaries has risen from 16% in 2013 to over 40% today, which he described as "simply unsustainable."
• The Treasury plans a phased payout of Sh7.76 billion for outstanding arrears owed to university staff under the 2017–2021 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), with 50% to be paid in the 2025/26 financial year and the remaining 50% in 2026/27.