The National Treasury has officially opened the door for public scrutiny, inviting Kenyans to shape the tax policies that will define the 2026/2027 fiscal year.

In a move signaling a shift towards participatory budgeting, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is calling on civil society, the private sector, and individuals to submit proposals now, months before the typically contentious Finance Bill 2026 hits the parliamentary floor.

A Window for Reform

Cabinet Secretary Mbadi issued the formal invitation through a notice in the government publication MyGov and on the official Treasury website this Tuesday. The objective is clear: to gather diverse views that will inform the fiscal framework before the ink dries on the draft laws.

This early engagement is critical. By soliciting input at this stage, the Treasury aims to construct a budget that balances the government's aggressive revenue targets with the economic realities facing the average Kenyan household.

According to the notice, the Treasury is specifically looking for input from:

• The General Public: Individual taxpayers and consumer groups.
• Civil Society: Watchdogs and advocacy groups monitoring fiscal responsibility.
• County Governments: To ensure national tax policies do not stifle devolved economic activities.
• Private Sector Stakeholders: Business associations and investors.

Shaping the Finance Bill 2026

The stakes are high. The recommendations gathered during this window will directly influence the formulation of the Finance Bill 2026. This legislation is the legal instrument that empowers the government to collect taxes, and historically, it has been the flashpoint for public debate regarding the cost of living.

Mbadi emphasized that this collaborative approach is designed to enhance revenue collection efforts while promoting "equitable and sustainable economic growth." For the mwananchi, this is the primary opportunity to advocate for tax measures that support rather than suppress disposable income.

The Treasury has indicated that these proposals will be instrumental in crafting a fiscal strategy that supports the country's development agenda without overburdening the taxpayer. As the deadline for submissions approaches, the focus now shifts to stakeholders to present data-driven alternatives to current tax structures.