Budget Day: Cost of living, public spending top Kenyans' concerns
Kenyans on the ground and on social media have weighed in on issues of rising cost of living, government wastage, and the effectiveness of public spending in the 2026-2027 financial plan...
✨ Key Highlights
In anticipation of President William Ruto’s second-to-last budget reading, the primary concerns for Kenyans revolve around the escalating cost of living and the efficiency of public spending.
- Citizens from all socioeconomic strata are focused on stretching their finances and demanding better accountability for public funds.
- Key figures involved include Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who cited global economic pressures and ongoing reforms at the KRA.
- Many citizens, like John Mwangi from Nyeri, hope the budget will bring tangible relief by lowering the cost of basic commodities and ensuring money is used appropriately.
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Part of the Day's Coverage
CS Mbadi Defends Ksh4.8 Trillion Budget Amid Economic Pressures - June 2026
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the challenging 2026/27 budget of Ksh4.8 trillion, citing significant economic pressures including external shocks, underperformance in revenue collection, and rising inflation. He stated there would be no surprises as most revenue-raising proposals had already undergone public participation. CS Mbadi announced that ongoing KRA reforms are expected to boost tax collections without higher tax rates. He explained the government plans to address a Sh1.1 trillion deficit through revenue enhancement and expenditure rationalization. However, government spending outside approved budgets has jumped nearly sixfold to Sh276.99 billion in the first nine months of 2025/26, raising concerns about fiscal discipline. Kenyan government agencies have accumulated Sh465.87 billion in unpaid bills as of March 2026, amidst surging public debt of Sh12.82 trillion. Meanwhile, Peter Mbae is urging MPs to amend or reject the budget, blaming excessive government spending for increased borrowing.
