Friday, 6 November 2026

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Friday, 6 November 2026

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Kenyan press · Person

John Mbadi

Also known as: National Treasury CS John Mbadi · Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi · Treasury CS John Mbadi · Mr John Mbadi · National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi · former ODM Chairman · Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi · CS John Mbadi · Hon John Mbadi · Mr. Mbadi · CS for Treasury John Mbadi · Waziri John Mbadi · CS for Finance John Mbadi

Treasury Cabinet Secretary who has called for lower lending rates, proposed PAYE tax exemptions, and defended the KPC share sale to Dangote in late 2026.

2026-04-242026-11-06

News reports

Order a long-term news report on John Mbadi

Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

November 2026
4 NovCapital News
… The Principal Secretary represented Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury John Mbadi at the launch of the economic update held in Upper Hill, Nairobi. …
Kenya’s Economy Grew 5pc Annually Between 2022 and 2025, Treasury PS Says
4 NovThe Standard
… Speaking at the 2026 NCBA Economic Forum, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said passing on the benefits of lower benchmark rates to borrowers would help stimulate private sector investment and economic activity.Mbadi noted that the CBK’s benchmark rate had declined from 13 p …
Mbadi calls for lower lending rates to spur private sector
2 NovThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeTreasury CS John Mbadi addresses during the 15th Annual International Research Conference, Hackatho, Innovation Challenge and Expo 2026 at the Eldoret National Polytechnic on October 16, 2026. …
Mbadi warns ODM members against public remarks on UDA coalition talks
1 NovThe Standard
… at Ongaro village in Kanyikela Ward, Ndhiwa constituency, during a programme in which 14 widows’ groups received financial support, Mr Ogendo said ODM should be grateful and reciprocate the benefits the President had extended to its members.“We have the CS for Finance John Mbadi …
UDA supporters fault ODM over demands for formal pre-election pact
October 2026
31 OctCitizen Digital
… National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said, “Kuna watu walikuja hapa wakasema ati chama ya Baba imekufa... …
ODM sustains push for deputy president position in deal with Ruto
31 OctThe Standard
… Subscribe to our newsletterCabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining) and John Mbadi (National Treasury) also attended, alongside elected leaders from the National Assembly and Senate.Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was also present and used the rally to appeal to residents to re-e …
'We are not in broad-based deal blindly,' says Oburu
31 OctThe Standard
… Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the turnout at Jacaranda Grounds demonstrated that ODM retained significant support in Nairobi. …
ODM demands deputy president's post in return for backing broad-based deal
29 OctCapital News
… Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi signed the Climate Smart Agribusiness Partnerships for Resilience (CSAPR) grant agreement during a courtesy call by IFAD’s new Country Director, Matteo Marchisio. …
Kenya, IFAD Sign $2.08mn deal to help farmers use climate data to improve productivity
29 OctCapital News
… The UASU chief credited Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo for facilitating the talks that led to the agreement. …
UASU, State strike deal to end university lecturers’ strike
26 OctThe Standard
… Treasury CS John Mbadi provided the clearest rupture. When Mama Ida Odinga criticised leaders who boycotted her husband's first anniversary in Bondo, he warned: "Do not provoke us," accusing her of entitlement. …
ODM leaders should leave Ida to mourn her husband in peace

Business

Kenya's economy grew 5 per cent annually 2022–2025, Treasury PS says

The News

Kenya's economy expanded by an average of 5 per cent annually between 2022 and 2025, outperforming the global growth average of 3.5 per cent and Sub-Saharan Africa's 4.1 per cent, the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury said. Government revenue rose from KSh2.2 trillion in the 2021/2022 financial year to KSh3.2 trillion in the 2025/2026 financial year, and foreign direct investment doubled to US$3.2 billion in 2025.

4 November 2026 · Capital News →

Wednesday 4 November

Kenya's economy grew 5 per cent annually 2022–2025, Treasury PS says
Kenya's economy expanded by an average of 5 per cent annually between 2022 and 2025, outperforming the global growth average of 3.5 per cent and Sub-Saharan Africa's 4.1 per cent, the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury said. Government revenue rose from KSh2.2 trillion in the 2021/2022 financial year to KSh3.2 trillion in the 2025/2026 financial year, and foreign direct investment doubled to US$3.2 billion in 2025.
4 November 2026 · Capital News →
Treasury urges banks to cut lending rates despite CBK cuts
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has called on commercial banks to lower lending rates in line with Central Bank of Kenya monetary policy cuts, noting that banks charge an average 14.4 per cent despite the CBK's benchmark rate falling from 13 per cent to 8.75 per cent. Mbadi argued that passing on the benefits would stimulate private sector investment and economic activity.
4 November 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 2 November

Mbadi warns ODM members to stop public comments on UDA talks
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told ODM members to stop commenting publicly on ongoing talks with UDA, saying the party leadership's position must be respected. He disclosed that teams from both parties had been picked to spearhead negotiations, with one 10-member team handling policy matters and another discussing the structure of a possible joint government.
2 November 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 1 November

UDA members criticise ODM demand for written pre-election pact
ODM leaders are demanding a written agreement before agreeing to a coalition to back President Ruto's re-election bid, a push that has caused discomfort among UDA members who believe ODM is setting conditions for supporting the President despite his unconditional backing of its members.
1 November 2026 · The Standard →

Saturday 31 October

ODM demands Deputy President seat in power-sharing deal with Ruto
The Orange Democratic Movement has reiterated that its political pact with President William Ruto and the United Democratic Alliance will not proceed without conditions, with the Deputy President's seat emerging as a key demand. Party leaders stressed at a Jacaranda Grounds rally that any agreement must guarantee ODM a share of power.
31 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
ODM defends broad-based arrangement with UDA ahead of 2027
ODM leader Oburu Oginga has defended the party's participation in a broad-based arrangement with the UDA, saying it is pursuing a clear plan and will not enter a coalition without negotiations. The two parties have each nominated five representatives to negotiate and draw up a coalition agreement ahead of ODM's possible support for President William Ruto's re-election in 2027.
31 October 2026 · The Standard →
ODM demands deputy presidency in return for supporting Ruto
The Orange Democratic Movement has outlined conditions for backing President William Ruto's re-election, including respect from the UDA and a possible claim to the Deputy President's post. ODM leaders, speaking at a rally in Nairobi, suggested Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho as a potential deputy, though negotiations are likely to be complicated by competition from Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Mt Kenya region leaders.
31 October 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 29 October

Kenya, IFAD sign $2.08m climate resilience grant for farmers
Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development have signed a $2.08 million climate resilience grant funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through IFAD. The initiative will integrate climate information systems into agricultural value chains to help farmers and agribusinesses manage climate-related risks and improve agricultural productivity.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →
Government commits Sh20 billion to end university lecturers' strike
University lecturers are expected to return to work on Monday after the government agreed to commit Sh20 billion towards settling a pay dispute. The Universities Academic Staff Union announced the breakthrough on Wednesday, with the strike formally ending on Friday at 3pm.
29 October 2026 · Capital News →

Monday 26 October

ODM leaders must respect Ida Odinga's grief, editorial argues
An opinion piece criticizes ODM politicians for using Raila Odinga's death to settle political scores, arguing that Treasury CS John Mbadi's public rebuke of Mama Ida Odinga—who asked for decency after leaders boycotted her husband's first anniversary—was disrespectful to a grieving widow.
26 October 2026 · The Standard →

Sunday 25 October

Government to exempt 362,846 more Kenyans from PAYE tax
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced a proposed plan to raise the monthly income tax exemption threshold from Sh24,000 to Sh32,333, which would exempt an additional 362,846 salaried Kenyans from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax and increase the number of formally employed Kenyans exempted from PAYE from 1.329 million to approximately 1.692 million.
25 October 2026 · Capital News →
Public office is duty to serve, not political debt
An opinion piece argues that when leaders join government, their home communities should not be expected to automatically grant political loyalty; public office creates a duty to serve citizens, not a debt of political allegiance.
25 October 2026 · The Standard →

Friday 23 October

Treasury signals further tax changes following PAYE relief plan
President Ruto proposes exempting Kenyans earning Ksh.32,000 and below from taxation to boost low-income household disposable income, with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi indicating this is the first of several tax regime reviews targeting different income brackets.
23 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ruto's PAYE exemption plan scraps monthly personal relief for all workers
President William Ruto proposed exempting workers earning up to Ksh.32,333 monthly from PAYE tax, but the plan will also abolish the Ksh.2,400 monthly personal relief currently available to all employees regardless of income level.
23 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Banks and microfinance institutions pay Sh205.58 billion in taxes
Thirty-three banks and two microfinance institutions paid Sh205.58 billion in taxes to the government in the 2025 financial year, up 5.53 per cent from Sh194.81 billion in 2024.
23 October 2026 · The Standard →

Thursday 22 October

Mbadi defends 25 percent KPC share sale to Dangote
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi dismissed opposition claims of an alleged takeover of Kenya Pipeline Company by President William Ruto through Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, characterizing the sale of 25 per cent of KPC shares as a legitimate commercial transaction between a willing seller and buyer conducted at the National Stock Exchange.
22 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
33 banks contribute 8% of Kenya's total tax revenue in 2025
Kenya's banking sector contributed Ksh.205.58 billion in taxes in 2025, accounting for 8% of all government tax revenue and 22.15% of total corporate tax collected, representing a 5.53% increase from the prior year.
22 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 21 October

Ruto renews PAYE relief pledge after delays since January
President William Ruto has again promised to exempt Kenyans earning up to Ksh.32,333 per month from income tax, with National Treasury CS John Mbadi saying a bill will be ready by the end of next month. The pledge dates back to January 2026 and has faced repeated delays.
21 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ruto proposes PAYE exemption for workers earning under Ksh.32,333
President William Ruto announced a proposal to exempt Kenyan workers earning Ksh.32,333 per month from PAYE income tax, which will be presented to Parliament next week. The Central Organization of Trade Unions praised the move as a measure to ease the tax burden on low-income earners.
21 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Tuesday 20 October

Health CS appoints KMPDU Deputy Secretary General to Ebola taskforce
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has appointed Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Deputy Secretary General Dr. Dennis Miskellah to the National Ebola Disease Taskforce, following a request by the union's leadership to participate in Kenya's response to the outbreak.
20 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Saturday 17 October

ODM to hold Nairobi rally at Jacaranda Grounds on October 31
The Orange Democratic Movement announced a rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Embakasi East on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The venue was previously used for a Linda Mwananchi movement rally in September that drew thousands expressing discontent over economic hardships and government policies.
17 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 16 October

Ruto assents to tax laws reducing VAT on fuel
President William Ruto has assented to the Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026. The measures reduce VAT on petroleum products from 16 per cent to 8 per cent for 90 days, with the Treasury Cabinet Secretary able to extend by a further 90 days, and also reduce excise duty on sanitary ware and construction materials to ease household and construction costs.
16 October 2026 · The Standard →
Mbadi says Kenya's two Ebola cases don't warrant emergency funding
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said Kenya's two reported Ebola cases could be traced and did not meet the threshold for classification as an outbreak, and therefore did not warrant emergency funding from the national treasury. Mbadi urged Kenyans to remain calm, stating the government had put measures in place to prevent spread and warning that claims of an impending outbreak were misleading and could harm the economy.
16 October 2026 · The Standard →

Tuesday 13 October

Court of Appeal rejects government bid to suspend Safaricom share sale nullification
The Court of Appeal has declined to suspend a High Court ruling that nullified the government's Ksh.204.3 billion sale of its 15 per cent stake in Safaricom to Vodacom, rejecting an application by the government to stay the judgment pending appeal.
13 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Court of Appeal upholds High Court nullification of Safaricom sale
The Court of Appeal rejected the government's and Vodacom's application to suspend a High Court judgment that nullified the Sh204.3 billion Safaricom share sale to Vodacom and restored the 15 per cent stake to government ownership.
13 October 2026 · The Standard →

Monday 12 October

Kenya engages IMF and World Bank on development financing
Kenya is seeking to advance its development financing and economic policy priorities at the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand, from October 12 to 18, led by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo.
12 October 2026 · Capital News →

Saturday 10 October

KMPDU deputy secretary general appointed to LAPFUND board
Dr. Dennis Miskellah, Deputy Secretary General of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Local Authorities Provident Fund for a three-year term. The appointment comes as county governments owe LAPFUND more than Ksh.100 billion in unremitted contributions.
10 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Friday 9 October

Opposition accuses Ruto government of privatising Port of Mombasa
Opposition leaders from the Ukombozi Coalition, led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have accused the government of privatising the Port of Mombasa and placing it under the control of a few individuals. They say they support development and construction of an oil refinery in Lamu but insist that the law must be followed.
9 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →

Wednesday 7 October

Sifuna accuses Parliament gatekeepers of blocking Lamu refinery scrutiny
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has accused parliamentary "gatekeepers" of frustrating scrutiny of the proposed Lamu refinery, saying his formal request for documents with the Senate risks being blocked before reaching the House floor, and that the President's call for critics to use "formal channels" is misleading.
7 October 2026 · Capital News →

Tuesday 6 October

Ruto signs $3 billion electric vehicle manufacturing deal
President Ruto presided over the signing of a $3 billion Memorandum of Understanding on electric vehicle manufacturing between the Government and Endelevu Enterprise Corporation. The integrated green mobility project will include manufacturing and assembly of electric vehicles in Kenya to boost local production and create jobs.
6 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →