Parliament invites public views on 2026/27 budget
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 7, 2026The National Assembly has invited members of the public and stakeholders to submit their views on the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2026/27 financial year and the medium term.
In a notice issued by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Parliament said the exercise follows Article 118(1)(b) and Article 221(4) and (5) of the Constitution, which require public participation in parliamentary business and the budget-making process.
The notice stated that the Budget Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the National Executive, the Judiciary, and Parliament for the 2026/27 financial year were submitted to the National Assembly on Thursday, April 30, 2026. The estimates were later referred to the Budget and Appropriations Committee for consideration and reporting to the House.
Parliament said the proposed budget seeks to support the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
According to the notice, the agenda is “anchored on unlocking productivity and enhancing incomes at the base of the economy through a value chain-driven allocation of public resources”.
The National Treasury has proposed a Ksh4.82 trillion budget for the coming financial year. Treasury estimates show that the national government, including the Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary, will receive Ksh2.89 trillion.
County governments are expected to receive Ksh420 billion, while Consolidated Fund Services, mainly used for debt repayment obligations, will take Ksh1.5 trillion.
Treasury also projects ordinary revenue at Ksh2.99 trillion, up from Ksh2.78 trillion in the current financial year. However, the government still faces a budget deficit of about Ksh1.1 trillion, which it plans to finance through both domestic and external borrowing.
The Budget and Appropriations Committee has now opened the process for public participation. Parliament invited individuals, organisations, and stakeholders to submit written memoranda on the budget proposals.
The memoranda should indicate the name of the person or organisation submitting them together with contact details.
Parliament directed that submissions be hand-delivered to the Office of the Clerk at the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi or sent through the email address cna@parliament.go.ke.
The deadline for submission is Monday, May 25, 2026 at 5.00 pm.
Public input budget process
In addition to written submissions, the committee will conduct public hearings in several counties between May 13 and May 15, 2026.
The hearings will take place in Kitui, Garissa, Homa Bay, Nyandarua, Nairobi, Busia, Siaya, Bungoma, Kirinyaga, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Marsabit, Bomet, Kajiado, West Pokot, and Meru.
Some of the venues listed in the notice include Kitui Multi-Purpose Hall, Garissa Library, Utawala DCC Office in Nairobi, Busia Agricultural Training Centre, Siaya IEBC Hall, and Kamundi Hall in Meru.
The public hearings come at a time when debate over government spending, debt levels, and pending bills continues to grow.
Narok Senator Ledama Olekina recently called on the government to avoid introducing new projects before completing ongoing ones and paying verified pending bills.
“Kenya’s FY 2026/2027 budget should not fund new projects until all existing promises and ongoing projects are completed, and all verified pending bills are paid,” Olekina said.
He also questioned the use of Article 223 of the Constitution, arguing that Treasury should not spend outside the approved budget except within constitutional limits.
Parliament said the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the 2026/27 financial year are available at the National Assembly’s Table Office and on the Parliament website for public access.