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Tuesday, 23 June 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Tuesday, 23 June 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

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary overseeing Kenya's 2026-27 budget and public debt management amid economic pressures.

2026-04-242026-06-23

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. June 2026
  2. Capital News

    NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 10 – Kenyans across Nairobi are calling on the government to ease the burden of high fuel prices and reduce taxes on essential commodities ahead of the presentation of the Finance Bill 2026 by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in Parliament on Thursday.

    Fuel Prices, Taxes on Essential Commodities Dominate Public Concerns Ahead of Budget Reading
  3. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeCS John Mbadi presides over the launch of the construction of the Kanyawanga-Kwoyo-Dede-Rapogi-Awendo road in Migori.

    CS Mbadi launches construction of roads in Migori
  4. The Standard

    National Treasury CS John Mbadi holds the budget briefcase, June 12, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] This Thursday, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi will present in Parliament the 2026 National Budget Statement for the 2026/27 fiscal year that begins in about three weeks f

    Kenya's Budget Paradox: Are we spending too much or too little?
  5. Citizen Digital

    Finance Bill 2026: Stakeholders push for wider PAYE relief beyond low-income earners By Claire Munde June 05, 2026 10:05 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Treasury CS John Mbadi during a Citizen Digital X Spa

    Finance Bill 2026: Stakeholders push for wider PAYE relief beyond low-income earners
  6. Citizen Digital

    Finance Bill 2026: Mbadi clarifies proposed tax return filing timelines By Edward Chweya June 05, 2026 08:51 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

    Finance Bill 2026: Mbadi clarifies proposed tax return filing timelines
  7. Citizen Digital

    CS Mbadi backs State House honour for Gor Mahia after historic title By Magdaline Thuku June 04, 2026 08:40 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning

    CS Mbadi backs State House honour for Gor Mahia after historic title
  8. Citizen Digital

    Education Ministry faces Ksh.102 billion funding gap ahead of Budget Day By Stephen Letoo June 04, 2026 08:12 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Treasury CS John Mbadi in his office before reading the budget i

    Education Ministry faces Ksh.102 billion funding gap ahead of Budget Day
  9. The Standard

    Audio By VocalizeThe High Court has given the Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Energy and Petroleum counterpart Opiyo Wandayi 14 days to file their responses in a petition challenging the fuel price hike.

    Court gives Mbadi, Wandayi 14 days to respond to fuel price case
  10. The Standard

    National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is set to present the FY 2026/27 Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, June 11, at 3 p.m., outlining revenue targets, debt management strategies and economic interventions under a regional East African Community (EAC) harmonise

    How weak project execution threatens Kenya's Sh4.8 trillion budget
  11. May 2026
  12. Citizen Digital

    By Citizen Reporter May 31, 2026 06:04 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning John Mbadi.

    Finance Bill 2026: Five smart phone taxes out, one 25% tax in, is it a smart move?

Yesterday

  1. Finance Bill 2026 debate masks deeper inflation, savings challenge

    An opinion piece argues that while Kenyans debate the Finance Bill 2026's taxation proposals, the broader issue is whether money set aside retains its value as inflation erodes purchasing power on essentials like food, transport, and housing.

    22 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 20 June

  1. ODM urges supporters to skip June 25 memorial protests

    The Orange Democratic Movement has instructed its supporters not to participate in June 25 anniversary protests planned for next Thursday, with ODM leaders affirming the party's commitment to the broad-based government and preference for victim compensation efforts over further demonstrations.

    20 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 18 June

  1. Treasury CS confirms publicly guaranteed debt at Sh12.842 trillion

    National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Senate that public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at about Sh12.842 trillion (69.49 per cent of GDP) as at end of February 2026.

    18 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Parliament votes on Finance Bill 2026 today

    The National Assembly will vote this afternoon on the Finance Bill, 2026, which focuses on tightening tax enforcement and expanding the Kenya Revenue Authority's powers without broad tax increases. The bill passed its second reading on June 17 and includes proposals to reinstate residential rental income tax to 10 per cent and extend withholding tax and VAT to digital services.

    18 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Mbui moves to enshrine Ruto's pledge exempting low earners from income tax

    Kathiani MP Robert Mbui has announced plans to table legislation to implement President William Ruto's pledge to exempt workers earning below Sh30,000 from income tax, a proposal affecting approximately 1.5 million salaried workers that was omitted from the latest budget presentation. Treasury estimates put the potential revenue gap at about Sh40 billion.

    18 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Treasury defends Kenya's economic resilience amid debt concerns

    Kenya's Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi told the Senate that the economy expanded 4.6 per cent in 2025, slightly down from 4.7 per cent in 2024, and that public and publicly guaranteed debt stood at approximately Sh12.842 trillion (69.49 per cent of GDP) as of February 26, 2026, attributing the economic slowdown to external shocks including Middle East conflict and drought risks.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Opposition MPs protest rushed Finance Bill 2026 second reading

    The Finance Bill 2026 passed its Second Reading in Parliament on Wednesday amid heated exchanges between government and opposition lawmakers, with opposition MPs claiming the Kenya Kwanza administration used its numerical strength to push through the 124-page bill without sufficient time for examination or consideration of public concerns. Opposition lawmakers protested what they described as rushed legislative process and disputed claims of hidden taxes.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. National budget examined through household finance lens

    An opinion piece uses a personal anecdote about family budgeting to explain how national budgets, like household finances, involve tough tradeoffs between competing needs and limited resources.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Finance Bill 2026 passes second reading amid parliamentary clash

    Kenya's Finance Bill 2026, a 124-page bill, advanced through its second reading in the National Assembly on Wednesday after heated exchanges between government and opposition MPs. Opposition lawmakers accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using its numerical strength to push through controversial tax proposals without sufficient scrutiny and claimed the Speaker refused to allow a physical division vote that would have publicly recorded how each MP voted.

    17 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Mbadi's no-new-tax budget may raise business operating costs

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi's 2026/27 budget emphasises tax administration efforts rather than new levies on Kenyans, but the article suggests this approach may nonetheless increase the cost of doing business.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  2. Ruto introduces monthly stipends for village elders ahead of 2027 election

    President William Ruto is offering monthly stipends to village elders as part of a "Tutam" plan, positioning the initiative as part of his campaign strategy for the 2027 General Election.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Government cuts energy sector budget despite fuel price pressures

    The government has sharply reduced funding to the energy and petroleum sectors despite spending billions of shillings to shield motorists from record fuel prices.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. DCI arrests three more suspects in All Saints Cathedral attack

    Police have arrested three more men linked to the violent invasion of ACK All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi on June 12, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to five. Detectives recovered a motorcycle and mobile phones believed to have been used in the attack, and say investigations indicate more people were involved in the planning and facilitation of the incident.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. COFEK seeks court order to block six Finance Bill 2026 clauses

    Consumers Federation of Kenya has filed a petition in the High Court challenging six provisions of the Finance Bill 2026, arguing they violate constitutional safeguards on taxation, privacy, public participation and consumer rights. The lobby group is seeking a conservatory order to suspend implementation of the disputed clauses, including provisions on withholding tax for scrap metal, expanded taxable payments definitions, VAT exemption removals, and a virtual asset reporting framework.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Counties seek infrastructure fund share for urban growth

    County governments are warning of a crisis in urban centres as rural-urban migration strains services, and municipal heads are now seeking a share of the National Infrastructure Fund to develop infrastructure and promote economic development. According to the Chair of the County Executive Committee Members in charge of Lands and Planning, 50 per cent of Kenya's population will be living in urban areas within the next 20 years, with the urbanisation rate having reached 3.4 per cent.

    16 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 15 June

  1. Wanjigi urges rejection of Finance Bill 2026 over debt concerns

    Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has called for Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill 2026, accusing the government of burdening citizens with excessive taxation and illegal borrowing while failing to deliver development. Wanjigi criticized the 2026/27 Budget Statement, arguing the Finance Bill seeks to raise Ksh.120 billion through taxation and that the budget prioritizes servicing debt over development.

    15 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Elon Musk's wealth dwarfs Kenya's annual budget of Sh4.82tr

    A comparison of Elon Musk's trillionaire status with Kenya's national budget, highlighting the vast disparity in wealth as Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi presented the budget in Parliament, which will shape pricing of food, fuel, and public services in the coming year.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. Supplementary budgets undermine original fiscal plans and reallocate funds

    State House budget doubled from Sh8.58 billion to Sh17 billion through a supplementary budget approved by Parliament in April, exemplifying how supplementary appropriations can balloon allocations and alter the original budget plan.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Treasury CS Mbadi presents 2026-27 budget to Parliament

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi delivered the 2026-27 budget speech at Parliament, addressing cost of living, employment, and growth, while highlighting achievements in economic growth, agriculture, health, and housing. The opinion piece critiques the budget's presentation and notes missing indicators such as productivity.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Wanjigi calls on Kenyans to reject Finance Bill 2026

    Safina Party leader Jimi Wanjigi has urged Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill 2026, criticizing the government's proposed budget as a "debt budget" that prioritizes debt servicing over public welfare and seeks to raise an additional Sh120 billion in taxes. Wanjigi argued that the solution to Kenya's economic challenges is not more taxes, as Kenyans are already overtaxed, and renewed claims that Kenya has accumulated illegal and odious debt.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Standard editorial condemns disruption of budget analysis conference

    A Standard editorial argues that goons disrupted a post-budget analysis conference in Nairobi on the orders of senior government figures unwilling to face public scrutiny of the Finance Bill 2026, and calls for an end to such tactics used against opposition meetings.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. Supplementary budgets alter spending plans and projects mid-year

    Treasury analysis shows that supplementary budgets approved during the financial year can significantly change initial allocations and modify planned projects. State House budget doubled from Sh8.58 billion to Sh17 billion following a supplementary budget approved by Parliament in April.

    15 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 14 June

  1. President Ruto defends frequent foreign trips as development agenda

    President William Ruto has defended his frequent foreign trips against criticism from opposition leaders and Kenyans over misuse of public funds, insisting his travels aim to advance Kenya's development agenda and secure opportunities for citizens.

    14 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ruto incorporates 2027 re-election campaign into national budget

    President William Ruto has incorporated his re-election bid into the country's multi-trillion budget and is returning to the campaign trail with renewed vigour.

    14 June 2026 · The Standard

  3. North Eastern region marginalised in budget, says Wajir MP

    Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi Saney criticised the budget presented by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, saying North Eastern Kenya has been further marginalised and the estimates do not address livestock, the region's main economic activity.

    14 June 2026 · The Standard

Saturday 13 June

  1. LSK vows to pursue sponsors of political violence with accountability

    The Law Society of Kenya said it will pursue sponsors, organisers, and perpetrators of political violence and "goonism" with "bulldog tenacity," following a disruption of a civil society budget dialogue forum in Nairobi. LSK President Charles Kanjama said the organization will work with human rights defenders and civil society to ensure those behind acts of political violence and intimidation are identified and prosecuted.

    13 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. NCCK condemns disruption of cathedral budget forum by alleged state goons

    The National Council of Churches of Kenya has condemned the disruption of a post-budget dialogue forum at All Saints Cathedral by what it describes as "state-sponsored goons," demanding arrests and prosecution. The forum, held by civil society organizations on Friday, was intended to scrutinize the 2026/27 national budget, which includes a Sh567.3 billion security sector allocation.

    13 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Ruto's 2022 debt promise contradicted by record local borrowing plan

    President William Ruto, who promised in 2022 that the government should not borrow to finance recurrent expenditure and pledged a 10 per cent borrowing limit, now faces a 2026-27 budget with a record Sh1.03 trillion in planned local borrowing from commercial banks, pension funds, and insurance companies to cover a Sh1.146 trillion deficit.

    13 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. 2026/27 budget fails common citizens, economists warn

    Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi termed the 2026/27 spending plan a "Mwananchi Budget" for the common citizen, promising no new taxes and affordable housing. However, economists and financial analysts say the budget delivers the opposite and does not support a hustler economy amid Kenya's cost-of-living crisis.

    13 June 2026 · The Standard

  5. Treasury CS presents mixed economic outlook in Budget statement

    National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi presented a Budget statement in Parliament claiming the Kenya Kwanza administration has restored macroeconomic stability and strengthened public finances while also acknowledging seemingly insurmountable domestic and global economic hurdles.

    13 June 2026 · The Standard

John Mbadi — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute