National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has called on Kenyans to submit proposals to help shape the 2025/26 Budget Statement, marking a shift toward more inclusive economic planning following widespread discontent over the previous year’s Finance Bill.
In a public notice issued Monday, Mbadi invited citizens, civil society organizations, and private sector stakeholders to offer ideas and recommendations on economic policies, tax measures, and strategies that could foster sustainable growth and support the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Submissions should be emailed to budgetstatement@treasury.go.ke, with a copy to budgetstatement@gmail.com, by May 26, 2025.
The Treasury is particularly interested in ideas that promote inclusive development, boost job creation, and enhance opportunities for youth and women in entrepreneurship, employment, and leadership. Additionally, contributors are encouraged to suggest ways of strengthening Kenya’s regulatory and financial infrastructure, ensuring fiscal discipline, and improving public fund management.
This call for public participation comes as the government seeks to rebuild public trust following national protests triggered by controversial tax proposals in the 2024 Finance Bill. The backlash led to major amendments and a more cautious fiscal approach by the Ruto administration.
As Mbadi prepares to present his first Budget Statement to Parliament on June 12, 2025, expectations are high that he will balance fiscal consolidation with pro-growth and pro-poor policies.
His budget will be critical in charting the country’s economic path amid mounting public debt, a high cost of living, and the urgent need to support industries and small businesses.
The move to invite citizen input reflects a growing recognition that effective economic policy must be informed by the lived experiences of Kenyans across all sectors. It also aligns with global best practices in participatory budgeting, where inclusive dialogue strengthens policy ownership and accountability.
As the deadline nears, Kenyans have a vital opportunity to help shape a budget that reflects their priorities, values, and aspirations for a more equitable and prosperous future.
