All eyes on CS Mbadi as Kenyans share budget expectations

Kenyans across the country have voiced mixed reactions ahead of the 2025/2026 Budget reading, expressing their expectations and concerns regarding the government’s fiscal plans.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is scheduled to present the 2025/2026 Budget in Parliament, outlining key policy highlights and revenue-raising measures for the coming financial year.

According to a public notice issued by the ministry, the budget statement will be delivered in Parliament starting at 3 pm on June 12, 2025.

This budget includes allocations for various sectors, with education and infrastructure taking a significant portion of the total budget.

The National Treasury had released the 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement, raising total budget estimates to Sh4.26 trillion from Sh3.98 trillion in the previous fiscal year.

In Kangemi, a businesswoman said she does not expect the prices of basic commodities to drop following the budget reading.

She urged the government to prioritise funding for education and agriculture.

“More money should be allocated to the education and agriculture sectors to improve student learning and reduce the cost of food,” she said.

“I urge the government to look into these sectors to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.”

In Westlands, a florist highlighted the dire state of the healthcare sector, calling for increased budgetary support.

“Look at the situation in hospitals, there are no vaccines for children. As a mother, I went to both private and public hospitals but couldn’t find any vaccines for my one-year-old twins,” she said.

The budget’s increase has sparked varied public opinions.

A matatu driver argued that the rise in expenditure is reasonable, given the country’s growing population.

“This increase is not significant when you consider population growth. Compared to last year, the number of people has gone up,” he said.

However, a small business owner expressed concern that the larger budget would translate to a heavier tax burden.

“With this increment, it’s clear more taxes will be introduced, which will make life even harder for us,” he said.

As the country awaits CS Mbadi’s official statement, many Kenyans remain anxious about how the new fiscal policies will impact their daily lives.