National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has assured Kenyans that there will be no unexpected measures in the 2026/2027 National Budget.
Kiptoo said most of the proposals to be announced by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi are already in the public domain.
Speaking to journalists upon his arrival at Parliament Buildings on Thursday ahead of the budget reading, Kiptoo sought to calm anxiety among citizens and businesses, noting that the government had undertaken extensive public participation and consultations before finalising the budget.
“There will be no surprises. Most of the issues are already out there in the public, but I will not give details because the CS is going to be reading the statement for two hours or even more,” Kiptoo said.
“We expect that all will go well,” he added.
The Treasury PS made the remarks as anticipation gripped the country ahead of the presentation of the Sh4.84 trillion national budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, one of the largest spending plans in Kenya’s history.
The budget is expected to outline the government’s priorities in key sectors including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and job creation. It will also provide details on revenue-raising measures and strategies to finance a projected fiscal deficit estimated at more than Sh1 trillion.
Kiptoo’s assurance comes amid heightened public interest in the budget, especially following widespread opposition to some tax proposals.
The National Treasury has in recent months maintained that its focus is on broadening the tax base, improving revenue collection efficiency and supporting economic growth while maintaining fiscal discipline.
According to Treasury projections, the government expects to raise Sh3.67 trillion in revenue, comprising Sh2.9 trillion in ordinary revenue collections, Sh644 billion in Appropriations in Aid and Sh44 billion in grants.
However, the spending plan will leave a budget deficit of approximately Sh1.2 trillion, which the government intends to finance through a combination of domestic and external borrowing.
Treasury officials say domestic borrowing will account for nearly Sh1 trillion of the deficit financing, while external borrowing is projected at Sh148 billion.
The government also plans to address pending bills estimated at Sh83 billion in a move aimed at improving liquidity in the market and boosting business activity.
The budget presentation coincides with similar fiscal announcements in neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania, where governments are expected to outline strategies for shielding their economies from global economic uncertainties, including cost shocks associated with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
