Mbadi Makes Grand Entrance to Parliament in a Customised Car

Kenya’s National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on Thursday presented the 2026/27 Budget Statement to Parliament, outlining a Sh4.84 trillion spending plan and announcing plans to introduce a new Planning Bill later this year.

Mbadi arrived at Parliament in a grey vehicle marked “BUDGET FY 2026–2027” and carried the traditional black briefcase bearing the national coat of arms. A red flower pinned to his lapel accompanied the ceremonial presentation of the budget.

During his address, Mbadi said the government would introduce the Planning Bill 2026 to establish a dedicated legal framework for national planning. He noted that while Kenya has laws governing public finance management, procurement and asset oversight, it lacks a standalone planning law. According to Mbadi, this gap has weakened coordination between policy priorities and budget implementation.

“If you don’t plan well, you cannot have a good budget and a good financial plan,” he told lawmakers. He said the proposed legislation would promote greater discipline in public spending and strengthen the link between long-term development goals and annual budgets.

The Planning Bill is expected to formalise the process through which government institutions identify, align and monitor national development priorities. Analysts say the framework could help address persistent challenges in resource allocation by improving coordination and accountability across government programmes.

Mbadi also defended the budget preparation process, saying the Treasury had conducted extensive public consultations beyond the legal requirements. Since taking office in 2024, he said he has worked to make the Treasury more accessible and open to public engagement.

He cited consultation forums held in counties including Migori, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nakuru, Embu, Kiambu, Kajiado and Kilifi. The meetings brought together youth groups, informal sector workers, boda boda operators and mitumba traders. Mbadi said the discussions helped ensure that a wide range of views were reflected in the final budget.

The 2026/27 budget includes significant spending commitments while also highlighting a substantial financing gap. The government will face the challenge of balancing expenditure with sustainable revenue collection amid competing demands for infrastructure development, social services and debt obligations.

Mbadi said the proposed Planning Bill would support these efforts by providing a framework for stronger fiscal discipline and long-term planning. The legislation is intended to improve the alignment of government priorities with budget allocations and strengthen oversight of public resources.