The Senate has opened a public consultation on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement and the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, giving Kenyans until February 20, 2026, to submit their views on the government’s plans to raise Sh3.5 trillion in revenue.
The documents, tabled by the National Treasury last week, outline spending priorities for the 2026/27 fiscal year and the government’s borrowing strategy for 2026–2029.
Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye said submissions can be hand-delivered to his office or sent via email to the Senate Finance Committee. “Your taxes, your voice.
The Senate is calling for public views on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement & Debt Management Strategy. This is where the decisions on 2026/27 spending and national debt happen. Submit your views by Friday, Feb 20, 5 PM,” the notice read.
The documents project total revenue of Sh3.53 trillion, with total expenditure set at Sh4.7 trillion. Of this, Sh3.46 trillion is earmarked for recurrent spending, Sh749.5 billion for development projects, Sh495.7 billion for transfers to county governments, and Sh2 billion for the Contingency Fund.
To bridge the gap, the Treasury plans to borrow Sh890.4 billion domestically and Sh225.4 billion externally.
Under the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy, 82 per cent of borrowing will come from the domestic market, while 18 per cent will be sourced externally, primarily through concessional loans and sustainability-linked bonds.
The documents are intended to guide borrowing and spending while minimising costs and risks to public finances.
The notice, issued under Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and citing sections 25(2) and 33(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012, emphasizes that the Budget Policy Statement sets broad strategic priorities for both national and county governments over the medium term. Meanwhile, the Debt Management Strategy outlines plans to manage public borrowing efficiently and sustainably.
Separately, National Assembly Clerk Samuel Njoroge invited members of the public and stakeholders to submit memoranda, clearly stating their name and contact information, either to the Office of the Clerk, First Floor, Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, or via email at [email protected].
All submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, February 23, 2026, and the documents are available at the National Assembly Table Office and online on the Parliament website.
Kenyans are being encouraged to actively participate in shaping financial and debt policies that will guide the country in the coming years, reinforcing public engagement in line with constitutional requirements. The Senate and National Assembly stress that public input is a crucial element in ensuring transparency and accountability in government spending and borrowing decisions.
