Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has expressed optimism ahead of the national budget presentation today.
Speaking to Citizen TV on Thursday morning, Mbadi said he feels great and is looking forward to the day.
“I feel great this morning because it’s an important day for the country,” he said.
“Today is the day that we are reading the budget, highlights and revenue-raising measures. It’s a constitutional and legal requirement.”
Mbadi noted that the exercise is not unique to Kenya.
“It’s done in the entire East African Community,” he added. “I think it’s going to be a great day. I have a date with Kenyans.”
When asked if he had managed to get some rest, the CS said he had.
“I have had some sleep,” he said. “It’s not that it’s too stressful. But again, it has been a very busy week. But this is the day.”
Mbadi will deliver his first-ever national budget as a CS.
The budget will determine not only Kenya’s economic trajectory but also Mbadi’s political future, having been picked as one of the experts from the ODM party to help steady the country.
According to a public notice issued by the ministry, the budget statement will be delivered in Parliament starting at 3 pm.
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.
Revenue is projected at Sh3.39 trillion, with ordinary revenue expected to hit Sh2.84 trillion, supported by ongoing tax reforms.
The government plans to spend Sh3.1 trillion on recurrent expenditure, Sh725.1 billion on development, and Sh436.7 billion in county transfers.
The proposed 2025/2026 financial year budget prioritises education, which will receive the largest share at Sh701 billion.
However, despite this allocation, it still falls short of actual needs in the education sector.
