Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised concerns over the 2026/27 Budget Estimates and Finance Bill, calling for major shifts in national priorities.

Speaking during a State of the Nation Address: The People’s Budget Estimates & Finance Bill event under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) on Friday, June 5, 2026, he urged Parliament to reject the proposals in their current form.

He argued that the fiscal framework does not adequately support productive sectors or reflect the needs of ordinary citizens. Gachagua outlined key areas requiring urgent review, including agriculture, health, public spending, revenue targets, and borrowing levels.

“We demand a significant increase in funding for agriculture and health care, as I’ve already explained. Agriculture receives only 2.0 percent of the national budget, despite employing the majority of Kenyans and driving food security,” he noted.

Gachagua said agriculture currently receives about 2 percent of the national budget despite employing a large share of Kenyans and supporting food security. He called for a gradual increase to at least 6 percent, equivalent to about Ksh 300 billion, as a step towards the 10 percent Maputo Declaration target.

He said the funds should support irrigation, extension services, fertiliser access, value addition, storage facilities, aggregation centres, and improved market systems. On health, he noted that the sector receives about 3.5 percent of the budget, below the 15 percent Abuja Declaration target. He demanded an increase to at least 9.5 percent to strengthen county hospitals, improve staffing, and ensure availability of essential medicines.

Spending cuts and revenue concerns

Gachagua also criticised what he termed excessive administrative expenditure, noting that public administration consumes about KSh 354.9 billion. He proposed a minimum 30 percent reduction in non-essential costs, including travel, hospitality, consultancies, and duplicated agencies.

The DCP leader, said savings should be redirected to agriculture, health, education, and employment creation. He further questioned the Treasury’s revenue projections, stating that for three consecutive years, actual tax collection has averaged about 80 percent of targets while budgets continue to rely on higher estimates.

In his address, he said this mismatch leads to increased taxation and pressure on households and businesses. He called for more realistic revenue forecasting aligned with economic performance to improve budget credibility and transparency in public finance management.

Debt and economic policy stance

Gachagua also raised concern over the proposed Ksh 1.144 trillion fiscal deficit, which is expected to be financed through borrowing. He noted that Kenya’s public debt stands at about Ksh 13 trillion, with debt servicing consuming more than half of government revenue. He called for a clear path to fiscal sustainability and a balanced budget with no provision for new debt.

He urged a shift in economic policy towards productivity-driven growth, stating, “Economic growth is not created by slogans,” declared.

Gachagua further said growth depends on productivity, predictable policy, trust between the state and citizens, and disciplined public spending. He added that public resources should support farmers, youth, teachers, healthcare workers, entrepreneurs, police, and civil servants as central drivers of the economy.