Budget Day: Parliament sets timelines and limitations for debate on 2026/27 budget presentation
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 11, 2026Parliament has set out timelines for the presentation of the 2026/2027 budget and outlined limitations that will govern debate on related committee reports as lawmakers prepare to consider the government’s fiscal plans for the coming financial year.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is set to present the budget estimates to Parliament on June 11th, 2026.
Pronouncement of the budget highlights
According to the National Assembly Order Paper dated Thursday, June 11, 2026, the Speaker will, not later than 3.00 p.m. today, invite the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning to make a public pronouncement of the budget highlights and revenue-raising measures for the national government for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 25A(a) and 244C, the Speaker will today, not later than 3.00 p.m., invite the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning to make a public pronouncement of the budget highlights and revenue-raising measures for the national government for the fiscal year 2026/2027,” the Parliament order paper read in part.
The budget statement, to be delivered pursuant to Standing Orders 25A(a) and 244C, will provide an overview of the government’s spending priorities, economic outlook and proposed revenue measures for the new financial year beginning July 1, 2026.
Limitations of debate on other committee reports
In addition to setting the timeline for the budget presentation, the House has also reaffirmed limitations on debate relating to committee reports. Under a resolution adopted on February 11, 2026, debate on committee reports for which no specific time limits have been prescribed will be restricted to a maximum of two and a half hours.
The rules provide that the mover of a report will have up to 20 minutes to present it, while other members, including the leaders of the majority and minority, will each be allocated a maximum of five minutes to contribute. Ten minutes before the expiry of the allotted debate time, the mover will be called upon to reply.
That each speech in a debate on other committee reports, including a report of a joint committee of the Houses of Parliament or any other report submitted to the House for which a limitation of time has not been specified, be limited as follows:
A maximum of two and a half hours, with not more than twenty (20) minutes for the Mover in moving and five (5) minutes for any other Member speaking, including the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party and the Chairperson of the relevant Committee (if the Committee Report is not moved by the Chairperson of the relevant Committee), and that ten (10) minutes before the expiry of the time, the Mover shall be called upon to reply; and further that priority in speaking shall be accorded to the Leader of the Majority Party and the Leader of the Minority Party in order paper,” the order paper further read.
Parliament further resolved that priority in speaking during such debates will be accorded first to the Leader of the Majority Party, followed by the Leader of the Minority Party.
The measures are aimed at ensuring orderly consideration of budget-related business while providing members with an opportunity to scrutinise government spending plans and revenue proposals ahead of the implementation of the 2026/2027 budget.