Treasury Puts Public at the Centre as 2026/27 Budget Process Kicks Off

The National Treasury and Economic Planning has officially launched the preparation process for Kenya’s Financial Year 2026/27 and Medium-Term Budget at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Nairobi. The event, held on Monday, August 25, 2025, marked the formal start of the country’s annual budget cycle.

The launch was presided over by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who was joined by Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Principal Secretary for the Economic Planning Department Dr. Boniface Makokha, Chairman of the Budget and Appropriation Committee Hon. Samuel Atandi, principal secretaries and accounting officers from across government, development partners, and members of the public.

Speaking during the launch, Treasury officials emphasized that public participation remains a mandatory and integral part of the entire budget process, both at the national and county levels.

Kenya’s budget-making process is a continuous cycle of formulation, approval, implementation and audit, guided by the Constitution and the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act. It begins in August with the issuance of guidelines by the National Treasury and culminates in Parliament’s approval of the Appropriation Bill, which authorizes spending, alongside the Finance Bill that provides for revenue collection.

The Medium-Term Budget Framework is particularly significant as it determines how resources will be allocated to priority sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure and social protection. By setting expenditure ceilings and guiding fiscal discipline, it ensures that development programmes are adequately funded while keeping Kenya on a sustainable financial path.

The process will now move into sector hearings and stakeholder engagements before the presentation of the Budget Policy Statement early next year. Treasury has underscored that this process is not only about numbers, but about aligning resources with Kenya’s long-term development blueprint.

Ultimately, the 2026/27 budget and medium-term plan will play a central role in advancing Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals, driving inclusive growth and building a resilient economy for all citizens.