Senate Invites Public Views on Division of Revenue Bill 2026

Senate Invites Public Views on Division of Revenue Bill 2026

Kenyans have been invited to submit their views on the proposed Division of Revenue Bill, 2026, a crucial piece of legislation that will determine how billions of shillings are shared between the national government and the 47 county governments in the upcoming financial year.

The invitation was issued by the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget of Senate of Kenya through a public notice released on Monday, March 23. The committee is seeking written submissions from citizens, civil society groups, professional bodies, and other stakeholders to inform deliberations on the Bill.

The proposed law will guide the allocation of nationally raised revenue for the 2026/27 financial year, shaping funding for key public services including health, infrastructure, education, and security.

“The Committee is required, under standing order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders, to facilitate public participation on the Bill and to take into account the views and recommendations of the public when the Committee makes its report on the Bill to the Senate,” the notice stated.

The call for public input comes at a time when the government has proposed one of the largest national budgets in Kenya’s history, estimated at approximately KSh 4.7 trillion. Out of this total, about KSh 2.9 trillion is earmarked for distribution between the two levels of government under the revenue-sharing framework.

According to the proposals, the national government would receive about KSh 2.4 trillion, while county governments collectively would be allocated KSh 420 billion. An additional KSh 10 billion has been set aside for the Equalisation Fund, which targets historically marginalised regions lacking basic infrastructure and social services.

The Equalisation Fund is intended to finance projects such as water supply systems, road networks, health facilities, and electricity connections in underserved areas, helping reduce disparities across the country.

However, the proposed county allocation has already sparked debate. The Council of Governors has rejected the KSh 420 billion figure, arguing that it falls short of the resources needed to effectively run devolved units and deliver essential services.

County leaders maintain that rising costs, expanding populations, and growing service demands require a larger share of national revenue. They have urged the National Treasury to revise the allocation upward before the Bill is finalised.

Analysts note that the Division of Revenue Bill is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation passed annually, as it determines the financial capacity of counties to fund hospitals, pay staff, maintain roads, and implement development projects.

The Bill was formally introduced and read in the Senate on March 18 before being referred to the Finance and Budget Committee for detailed scrutiny and public consultation, in line with constitutional requirements for participatory lawmaking.

Public participation is a central pillar of Kenya’s legislative process, particularly for budget-related laws that directly affect service delivery and taxation. Stakeholders are therefore being encouraged to provide evidence-based recommendations on how resources should be shared.

Members of the public can submit their memoranda in writing to the Clerk of the Senate either by hand delivery to the Office of the Clerk at the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi or electronically via the official Senate email address.

All submissions must be received no later than Thursday, March 26, at 4:00 p.m.

As the deadline approaches, observers expect intense debate among policymakers, county leaders, and the public over the appropriate balance between national priorities and devolved responsibilities.

The outcome of the process will ultimately shape government spending patterns across the country for the next financial year, influencing everything from healthcare services to infrastructure development.

With billions of shillings at stake, the Senate’s call for public views underscores the importance of citizen participation in determining how national resources are allocated — a process that lies at the heart of Kenya’s devolved governance system.

ALSO READ: Concern for Kenya as Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Supply to Asian Countries for Second Month

Senate Invites Public Views on Division of Revenue Bill 2026