Parliament Opens Public Hearings on Ksh4.78 Trillion Budget Across 16 Counties

Parliament Opens Public Hearings on Ksh4.78 Trillion Budget Across 16 Counties

The National Assembly of Kenya has opened public participation hearings on the proposed Ksh4.78 trillion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, inviting Kenyans across the country to submit their views as debate intensifies over rising debt, taxation, and government spending priorities.

In a public notice published on May 7, Clerk of the National Assembly Samuel Njoroge announced that the Budget and Appropriations Committee will conduct a three-day series of public hearings in 16 counties beginning May 13.

The hearings are expected to provide citizens, civil society groups, professionals, and stakeholders with an opportunity to influence how public resources will be allocated ahead of the new financial year set to begin on July 1.

Njoroge stated, “Members of the public are invited to submit written memoranda on the proposed 2026/2027 Budget Estimates to the Office of the Clerk or through the official parliamentary email before the deadline.”

According to the schedule released by Parliament, hearings on May 13 will take place simultaneously in Kitui County, Garissa County, Homa Bay County, Nyandarua County and Nairobi.

Venues identified for the sittings include the Kitui Multi-Purpose Hall, Garissa Library, Orero Boys National School Hall, Ol Joro Orok CDF Hall, and the Utawala Deputy County Commissioner’s Office.

A second round of hearings on May 14 will move to Busia County, Siaya County, Bungoma County, Kirinyaga County, Taita Taveta County, Tana River County, Marsabit County, Bomet County and Kajiado County. Final hearings on May 15 will be held in West Pokot County and Meru County.

The proposed budget estimates were formally tabled in Parliament on April 30 before being referred to the Budget and Appropriations Committee chaired by Samuel Atandi.

The Ksh4.78 trillion spending plan comes amid increasing concern over the country’s debt burden and growing fiscal pressures ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to budget documents presented before Parliament, the Kenya Revenue Authority is expected to collect Ksh2.985 trillion in taxes during the next financial year, an increase from the projected Ksh2.784 trillion in the current cycle.

At the same time, the National Treasury has proposed increasing the government’s borrowing ceiling by Ksh104.1 billion to Ksh1.170 trillion, signalling continued reliance on debt financing to support government expenditure.

A parliamentary report warned, “The growing debt obligations could significantly limit the government’s ability to finance development programmes in the coming years.”

The Public Debt and Privatisation Committee has projected that interest payments alone could rise to Ksh1.2 trillion in the 2026/2027 financial year, raising fears that more public funds may be diverted toward debt servicing instead of development projects.

The Parliamentary Budget Office has also cautioned that the proposed borrowing trajectory may conflict with limits outlined under the Public Finance Management Act.

Despite the concerns, the proposed budget continues to prioritise education, healthcare, and security, sectors the government says remain critical to economic recovery and social stability.

An economic analyst observed, “Public participation in the budget process is becoming increasingly important as Kenyans seek accountability on how taxes and borrowed funds are utilised.”

The hearings are expected to shape parliamentary recommendations before the final budget is debated and approved later this year.

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Parliament Opens Public Hearings on Ksh4.78 Trillion Budget Across 16 Counties