MBADI UNVEILS SH4.84 TRILLION BUDGET, HAILS RUTO-RAILA VISION AS KENYA’S ROADMAP TO ‘CANAAN THROUGH SINGAPORE’

By Ahmed Salat Ali | Political Affairs Editor, AARAN TV KE 

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has unveiled a Sh4.84 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial year, describing it as a transformative blueprint inspired by the shared political vision of President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Presenting the budget before the National Assembly on Thursday, Mbadi said the spending plan reflects the aspirations of the broad-based government arrangement between President Ruto and Raila, aimed at accelerating Kenya’s journey toward economic prosperity and sustainable development.

In a speech marked by symbolism and political undertones, Mbadi described the budget as a pathway to “Canaan through Singapore,” blending Raila Odinga’s long-standing vision of an equitable and prosperous Kenya with President Ruto’s ambition of transforming the country into a globally competitive economy.

“The Right Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga was a key partner to His Excellency President Dr William Samoei Ruto in the broad-based arrangement. This budget captures the ideals of these two great leaders, particularly the aspiration to transform our economy from its current status into that of a developed nation — a journey to Canaan through Singapore,” Mbadi told lawmakers.

For years, the term “Canaan” has been synonymous with Raila Odinga’s political philosophy, symbolising a just, inclusive and prosperous society. During the 2017 General Election campaign, Raila repeatedly invoked the Biblical metaphor of the Promised Land to articulate his vision for a nation defined by fairness, opportunity and shared prosperity.

Singapore, meanwhile, has frequently featured in President Ruto’s economic narrative as a model of successful transformation. The Asian nation evolved from a modest developing state into one of the world’s leading economies through industrialisation, efficient governance, strategic planning and sustained investment in human capital.

Mbadi said the 2026/27 budget serves as a practical bridge between these two visions, outlining a roadmap for inclusive economic growth, structural reforms and Kenya’s transition towards middle-income status.

The Treasury Cabinet Secretary further revealed that extensive public consultations conducted across the country informed the formulation of what he termed “the people’s budget.”

According to Mbadi, he personally led stakeholder engagement forums over the past year in various regions, including Kilifi, Migori, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nakuru, Kiambu, Meru, Kajiado and Nairobi.

The consultations brought together youth groups, small-scale traders, mitumba operators, scrap metal dealers, manufacturers, journalists, religious leaders and financial experts, who shared their concerns and expectations regarding the economy.

“The ordinary mwananchi has delivered a clear and consistent message,” Mbadi said.

“Kenyans want an economy that works for them — one where the cost of living is manageable, employment opportunities are expanding, businesses can thrive and the benefits of economic growth are shared across society.”

He noted that citizens repeatedly called for lower taxes on essential commodities, prudent management of public resources, reduced government wastage and a more aggressive campaign against corruption.

Mbadi said the government had responded by prioritising interventions under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), with a strong emphasis on private sector-led growth, job creation, enhanced service delivery and fiscal discipline.

The Treasury chief also addressed concerns over regional public health threats, particularly the risk of Ebola, assuring Kenyans that no confirmed cases had been reported in the country.

He disclosed that the government had activated the National Ebola Incident Management System, strengthened surveillance at all points of entry, trained more than 1,000 healthcare workers and established emergency response teams and isolation facilities nationwide.

Mbadi added that Kenya had secured support from international development partners, including the United States Government and the World Bank, to bolster disease surveillance and emergency preparedness capabilities.

Despite ongoing economic challenges, the Cabinet Secretary maintained that the budget was designed not only to stabilise the economy but also to lay the foundation for long-term national transformation.

“The people of Kenya want assurance that their hard-earned taxes will translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives,” Mbadi said.

“It is that aspiration that this budget seeks to fulfil.”

As Parliament begins scrutinising the spending plan, the Sh4.84 trillion budget is expected to shape national debate on taxation, economic growth, public spending and the future direction of the broad-based government’s development agenda.