Mbadi: I have a date with Kenyans as budget day arrives
Speaking on Thursday morning, just hours before reading the 2025/2026 budget in Parliament, Mbadi described the day as important and exciting.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has expressed confidence ahead of his presentation of the national budget, calling it a crucial moment for the country.
Speaking on Thursday morning, just hours before reading the 2025/2026 budget in Parliament, Mbadi described the day as important and exciting.
"I feel great this morning because it’s an important day for the country," he said in an interview with Citizen TV.
"Today is the day that we are reading the budget, highlights and revenue-raising measures. It’s a constitutional and legal requirement."
Mbadi, who will be delivering his first-ever national budget since taking office, said the exercise aligns with regional practices.
"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."
He also said he managed to get some rest despite a busy week.
"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."
The 2025/2026 budget is expected to shape the country’s economic direction, while also being a test of Mbadi’s leadership.
A former ODM policy expert, he now finds himself at the centre of the country’s financial planning.
According to the Treasury’s public notice, the budget reading is scheduled for 3 pm in Parliament.
The document will outline how the government plans to raise and spend money in the coming year, with education and infrastructure taking up the largest shares.
The total proposed budget stands at Sh4.26 trillion, up from Sh3.98 trillion in the last financial year.
The government expects to collect Sh3.39 trillion in revenue, with ordinary revenue projected at Sh2.84 trillion, boosted by ongoing tax reforms.
The spending plan includes Sh3.1 trillion for recurrent expenditure, Sh725.1 billion for development, and Sh436.7 billion to be shared with counties.
Education has been allocated Sh701 billion, making it the top priority in the budget. However, the sector still faces funding gaps despite receiving the highest allocation.
