Budget 2025: Ruto’s Regime Faces Public Scrutiny as Mbadi Unveils Record Sh4.2 Trillion Budget
As Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi walks into Parliament today with Kenya’s largest-ever budget—estimated at Sh4.2 trillion—millions of Kenyans are watching closely, hoping for a financial plan that speaks to their daily struggles and not just political ambitions.
This marks Mbadi’s first budget presentation since his appointment, a key test of the Ruto administration’s fiscal direction amid rising public pressure, ballooning debt, and declining faith in the government’s economic promises.
What’s in It for the Ordinary Kenyan?
The 2025/26 budget is being touted as “people-centered,” but many are skeptical. Citizens interviewed by Nairobian voiced deep concerns about high living costs, rising taxes, and delayed public services.
“I hope for a reduction on VAT, especially on essentials like food, petrol, and even alcohol. It’s becoming unbearable, especially for those of us in transport,” said Joseph Otieno, a matatu driver in Nairobi’s CBD.
Single parents and low-income families are also hoping for swift disbursement of education funds. “Let the government release capitation on time. Children are being sent home, and we cannot afford the extra levies,” said Grace Naliaka, a single mother of three.
Big Numbers, Bigger Questions
The budget breakdown reveals that Sh1.7 trillion will go to recurrent expenditure, while only Sh707 billion is reserved for development—raising eyebrows over whether service delivery will actually improve.
The education sector receives the lion’s share at Sh701 billion. This includes:
- Sh54.8 billion for free day secondary education
- Sh30.9 billion for junior secondary school capitation
- Sh7.9 billion for primary school funding
A further Sh3 billion will support a national school feeding programme.
Health and Agriculture: Still Playing Catch-Up
The health sector, currently plagued by strikes and worker shortages, receives Sh132 billion. Of that, Sh4 billion is earmarked for intern doctors, while Sh1.7 billion will settle salary arrears for health workers.
Agriculture—a sector contributing 22% of GDP—gets Sh58.5 billion, a modest increase of Sh1 billion from last year. Food security advocates argue that the allocation is insufficient considering the growing threat of climate change and rising food prices.
“We want to see how much agriculture will get so as to be assured of our food security,” said Taabu Charles, chairman of Bunge La Wazalendo.
Protecting the Vulnerable
Social protection and affirmative action programmes targeting vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, orphans, and persons with disabilities—will receive Sh43 billion.
Power and Politics
National government functions will consume Sh2.5 trillion. The Executive takes Sh2.4 trillion, while Parliament gets Sh49 billion. Critics say this reflects a bloated bureaucracy that feeds the political elite while starving critical public services.
Despite announcing a zero-based budgeting approach to cut waste and eliminate corruption, CS Mbadi still has to prove that every shilling spent will deliver value to the public.
In an interview with Citizen TV, he said, “I want Kenyans to remember me for reforms that stabilize the economy, eliminate waste, and manage public debt.”
But for ordinary Kenyans like Taabu, the verdict is still out. “This budget is big, but it doesn’t serve us. It serves the top. We’re just waiting to see if there’s any real change.”
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Budget 2025: Ruto’s Regime Faces Public Scrutiny as Mbadi Unveils Record Sh4.2 Trillion Budget