John Mbadi, Kenya’s Treasury Cabinet Secretary, has boldly defended the 2025/2026 national budget, calling it the most progressive financial plan the country has seen.
Speaking in Homa Bay on Saturday, Mbadi responded directly to a wave of public criticism, particularly from social media users who have accused the government of quietly increasing taxes in the new budget.
“These claims are immature and misleading,” Mbadi said during a church gathering at Lala SDA in Homa Bay Town Constituency. “We’ve taken care not to introduce any unreasonable tax measures.”
It was Mbadi’s first public appearance since he tabled the budget estimates before the National Assembly last week. His message was clear: the budget is pro-growth and designed with fairness in mind.
Many Kenyans have voiced frustration online, with some arguing the new fiscal plan squeezes ordinary citizens at a time when living costs remain high. However, Mbadi insisted the budget was shaped by public outcry and past criticism.
“Kenyans have been complaining about high taxation, and as a government, we’ve listened,” he said. “We were very cautious in crafting this budget to avoid burdening citizens further.”
Mbadi’s remarks were backed by Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma, who joined him at the service. Kaluma praised the budget for striking a balance between ambition and care.
“If implemented well, this budget can lift Kenya’s economy to greater heights,” he said.
The Treasury is betting on a more inclusive spending plan to steady a slowing economy. Kenya has faced a tough year marked by floods, protests, and global uncertainties, all of which have disrupted growth. Still, Mbadi’s team remains confident that the fiscal blueprint will turn things around.
Among the priorities in the new budget are infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Critics say more needs to be done to ease the tax burden and tackle unemployment. Others believe the budget lacks bold reforms to fix long-standing issues in agriculture and public debt.
Despite the pushback, Mbadi appears undeterred.
“This is the best budget for Kenya,” he said. “It’s grounded in the realities of our people.”
