Kenya’s National Assembly has officially launched public hearings across 16 counties on the proposed KSh4.78 trillion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, giving citizens a chance to directly influence how public funds will be allocated.
The hearings, led by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, will run from May 13 to May 15 in multiple locations across the country.
According to the schedule, the first round of consultations will take place in counties such as Kitui County, Garissa County, Homa Bay County, Nyandarua County, and Nairobi. The exercise will then move to other regions, including Busia County, Bungoma County, Tana River County, Marsabit County, Kajiado County, and Meru County, among others.
The proposed budget, one of the largest in Kenya’s history, was submitted to Parliament on April 30 and outlines government spending priorities for the upcoming financial year starting July.
As part of the process, members of the public are also allowed to submit written memoranda to the Clerk of the National Assembly before May 25, ensuring broader participation beyond physical hearings.
The budget is expected to be funded largely through tax revenue, with the Kenya Revenue Authority projected to collect nearly KSh2.985 trillion, alongside borrowing to bridge the deficit.
However, concerns are already emerging over the rising cost of servicing public debt, with projections indicating significant allocations toward interest payments, raising questions about sustainability and the burden on taxpayers.
The public hearings mark a critical stage in Kenya’s budget-making process, offering citizens a platform to shape national priorities, ranging from healthcare and education to infrastructure and economic growth, before the final budget is approved.
The hearings, led by the Budget and Appropriations Committee, chaired by Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi, will run from May 13 to May 15 in multiple locations across the country.
According to the schedule, the first round of consultations will take place in counties such as Kitui County, Garissa County, Homa Bay County, Nyandarua County, and Nairobi. The exercise will then move to other regions, including Busia County, Bungoma County, Tana River County, Marsabit County, Kajiado County, and Meru County, among others.
The proposed budget, one of the largest in Kenya’s history, was submitted to Parliament on April 30 and outlines government spending priorities for the upcoming financial year starting July.
As part of the process, members of the public are also allowed to submit written memoranda to the Clerk of the National Assembly before May 25, ensuring broader participation beyond physical hearings.
The budget is expected to be funded largely through tax revenue, with the Kenya Revenue Authority projected to collect nearly KSh2.985 trillion, alongside borrowing to bridge the deficit.
However, concerns are already emerging over the rising cost of servicing public debt, with projections indicating significant allocations toward interest payments, raising questions about sustainability and the burden on taxpayers.
The public hearings mark a critical stage in Kenya’s budget-making process, offering citizens a platform to shape national priorities, ranging from healthcare and education to infrastructure and economic growth, before the final budget is approved.
