Mixed reactions greet election year's budget

Police officers keep vigil outside Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on June 11, 2026. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] 

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s budget estimates, presented in about three hours in Parliament, attracted mixed reactions from legislators and senior government officials.

Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who has been heavily criticising the government’s economic policies, cited an unexplained and escalating deficit. “Every time before elections, we see an escalating deficit. The government is not only trying to create political projects but also campaign projects. The money comes as confidential funds, or you will see an office getting a huge increment in budget.”

His Mukurwe-ini counterpart, John Kaguchia, termed it a "campaign deception budget". “Owing to the huge fiscal deficit and the much money committed to loan repayments, it means most of the promises given on development are not tenable. It is more of a campaign deception budget.”

At least 10 Cabinet Secretaries attended the budget speech session. They include Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior), Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service), Soipan Tuya (Defence), Alice Wahome (Lands), Aden Duale (Health), Julius Ogamba (Education), Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), Salim Mvurya (Sports), Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), Hannah Wendot (Gender), and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor.

Duale lauded the budget, citing "huge transformations" especially in the infrastructure sector. “The infrastructure budget has increased because we must ensure equity in development. Similarly, we need to invest heavily in our healthcare and education.” 

Uriri MP, Mark Nyamita, also praised Mbadi for "continually" demonstrating effort towards equitable distribution of resources across the county, unlike in the past, when "it was skewed". “The focus on key infrastructural projects will eventually open the economy and grow the Gross Domestic Product. The revenue measures are also very modest, cognisant of the tight state of the economy.”

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the budget failed by bringing in more debts and taxes, and also allocating more to high offices  instead of Wanjiku. "Sh4.8 trillion budget with a deficit of Sh1.4 trillion means more debt and taxes to already overtaxed Kenyans. Most of the money is in State House, Interior, Defence, NIS and confidential votes, with zero value to mwananchi,” he stated.

The security sector has been allocated more than Sh300 billion, with allocations for stipends for village elders and employment of 10,000 police officers, a move Murkomen praised.

"We are going to buy equipment and new vehicles that will enable our security officers to do their work effectively," he said, adding that security cameras will be installed in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nyeri.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah said the budget demystified lies and propaganda being peddled by the opposition. He said Mbadi highlighted measures to deal with inflation.

National Assembly Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro said this is the best budget so far, adding that it has got close to Sh1 trillion for development.

The government collects Sh4.3 trillion, with Mbadi making it clear that only three million citizens pay taxes, with the rest filing nil returns. 

National Assembly Finance Committee chair Kimani Kuria said key sectors had been covered in the estimates, adding that they have sealed loopholes through which revenue was being lost and will be covering more areas that may have been left out.

Likoni MP Mishi Mboko was excited to note that funds to settle squatters have been included in the budget in the Coast region, terming it a huge relief to them.

She welcomed the priority given to early childhood education.

Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi said there is nothing to smile about the budget because it "has nothing for Northern Kenya". 

The UDA elected MP stated that the budget has addressed nothing about livestock, and he has nothing to take to his constituents after four years.