Mbadi Credits Public Protests for More Inclusive 2025 Budget Planning
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has attributed the smoother rollout of Kenya’s 2025/26 budget process to lessons learned from last year’s widespread protests over the Finance Bill 2024. Speaking on a local media station on May 23, 2025, Mbadi explained that the government re-evaluated its approach after facing public backlash over perceived lack of transparency and limited citizen involvement in the previous budget cycle. Last year’s events were a learning point for us all. Those of us who joined the government after that had to look for ways of doing things differently, he said.
Mbadi highlighted that one of the major grievances during the 2024 protests was the absence of meaningful public engagement. To address this, the Treasury undertook extensive consultations for the 2025/26 budget. This included street-level engagements with Bunge la Wananchi in Nairobi and Mombasa, public forums at Daystar University, radio discussions, and meetings with youth groups, professional associations, and key industry players such as the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, banking stakeholders, and the petroleum sector. According to Mbadi, these efforts aimed to demystify the Finance Bill and build confidence in the budget process.
The Treasury CS also emphasized the role of media, particularly digital platforms, in connecting with the youth and gathering feedback from citizens. We have had quite a bit of engagement with the real Gen Zs, alongside mainstream and vernacular media, to explain the budget proposals and get input, he noted. Analysts suggest that these measures contributed to a calmer political environment compared to 2024, reducing tensions and fostering a sense of inclusion among Kenyans.
Looking ahead, Mbadi affirmed that public participation would remain central to future budget planning. He stressed that lessons from past protests have institutionalized a more transparent and consultative process, setting a precedent for citizen engagement in policymaking. Observers believe this approach could improve trust between the government and the public, ensuring that budgetary allocations reflect broader societal needs while minimizing political friction.