Public participation shaped the 2025/26 budget, says Mbadi
CS states that Kenyans have been raising their voices against the government raising taxes, as they called for the protection of the poor
Kenyans were accorded an opportunity to share their views on the economic challenges during this year’s budget-making process.
This has been stated by the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi during his opening statement at the release of the 2025/26 budget policy statement.
Mbadi stated that Kenyans have been raising their voices against the government raising taxes, as they called for the protection of the poor.
“In this year’s budget-making process, we accorded Kenyans an opportunity to share their views on how to address the economic challenges facing our country. Kenyans have been very resolute in voicing their concerns that include over-taxation and high cost of living, unemployment, the need for protection of the poor and vulnerable, and the need to reduce government expenditure and wastage across the national and county governments,” he stated.
The CS revealed that the government has been keen on enhancing tax compliance as it increases the pool of taxpayers.
“We have strengthened public participation in all policy formulation, including the budget-making process, and as a result of consultations with the public, we have focused on easing the tax burden on Kenyans by increasing the pool of taxpayers and enhancing tax compliance,” he said.
He added that the government has adopted the zero-based budget, where every budget item has to be justified at the beginning of every financial year.
Mbadi explained that the revenue projections for the next financial year shall be in line with the medium-term growth of the Country’s economy.
“We have reduced revenue projections to be in line with trends. Therefore, revenue projections in the FY 2025/2026 budget and over the medium term are consistent with the growth of the economy,” he added.
The 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement has raised total budget estimates to Sh4.26 trillion from Sh3.98 trillion in the previous fiscal year.
The Ministry, headed by Mbadi, moved across the country, engaging Kenyans with the first time CS going to engage Kenyans and hear their views at the Bunge la Mwananchi grounds at Jevanjee Nairobi
