- Treasury invites Kenyans and institutions to propose changes to tax laws for the 2026/2027 budget.
- CS John Mbadi says the move promotes transparency and public participation.
- Proposals must be tied to BETA priorities and include clear evidence.
The National Treasury has begun preparing the 2026/2027 budget and is now calling on Kenyans, county governments, businesses and civil society to submit their proposals on tax policy.
In a public notice, Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the exercise aims to strengthen transparency and increase citizen involvement in major financial decisions.
He pointed to Articles 201 and 232 of the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act, saying all Kenyans, including the private sector, have both the right and the responsibility to take part in national fiscal planning.
According to the notice, the ministry is particularly interested in suggestions on how existing tax laws can be improved for consideration in the Finance Bill 2026.
“Each proposal should identify the specific law to be amended, state the problem clearly, and provide evidence-based justification.”
Mbadi said.
He added that the suggestions will assist in shaping revenue collection strategies that maintain fiscal stability while encouraging economic growth.
All proposals must align with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on economic revival, job creation, and growth through value chains.
This call for submissions follows the intense nationwide protests witnessed in June 2024 when Parliament passed the Finance Bill 2024 despite public outcry.
During the demonstrations, thousands stormed Parliament buildings in Nairobi, condemning the proposed tax measures that they said would raise the cost of living and cripple small businesses.
Youth groups argued that their views were ignored during the drafting process, highlighting weaknesses in public participation mechanisms.
Economic analysts say the new Treasury invitation provides Kenyans with a direct opportunity to shape future tax decisions, strengthen fairness in taxation, and help prevent the kind of unrest seen in 2024.
They note that effective engagement could bridge the gap between citizens and government, especially in matters that directly affect livelihoods.
