Security was significantly intensified around the National Treasury building in Nairobi on Thursday morning as Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi prepared to present the 2026/27 national budget. A strong police presence was witnessed across the Central Business District, with officers patrolling key areas surrounding the Treasury. Some were armed with batons, while mounted police units on horseback were also deployed to reinforce security.
Police vehicles were positioned at strategic locations across the city as authorities moved to secure the area ahead of the highly anticipated budget reading. Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo was among senior officials who arrived early at the Treasury for final preparations. Mbadi is set to unveil a Sh4.84 trillion budget aimed at boosting economic growth, creating jobs and supporting key sectors of the economy.
The budget comes at a time when many Kenyans are grappling with a high cost of living, unemployment and rising prices of basic commodities, making it one of the most closely watched fiscal announcements in recent years. According to Treasury estimates, the government expects to raise Sh3.67 trillion in revenue. This includes Sh2.9 trillion from ordinary revenue, Sh644 billion in Appropriations in Aid and Sh44 billion in grants. Despite this, the budget projects a deficit of about Sh1.2 trillion, which the government plans to finance through a combination of domestic and external borrowing.
