From lagging incomes to soaring debts, Ruto's Sh4.73tr budget hits harsh reality

Treasury CS John Mbadi during the 2025 Budget reading on June 12th,2025 at Parliament. [File, Standard]

The National Treasury has unveiled a record Sh4.73 trillion budget proposal for the 2026/27 financial year, but the ambitious spending plan is colliding with stubborn reality. 

State coffers are empty, taxpayers are exhausted, and an International Monetary Fund team arriving later this month is expected to deliver a blunt verdict on President William Ruto’s fiscal credibility, putting to test the government’s economic blueprint ahead of next years General Elections.