People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has criticised the proposed 2025/26 national budget, claiming it does not reflect the needs of ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during an interview with K24TV on Wednesday night, June 4, 2025, Karua expressed concern over what she termed a growing disconnect between government priorities and the everyday struggles of citizens.
Karua further claimed that the 2025/26 budget is not different from the two budgets passed under President William Ruto’s administration, citing Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees access to essential services like healthcare and education. She questioned why these areas remain underfunded despite their constitutional importance.
“You can see this year’s budget is like either of the two other budgets that William Ruto’s administration has passed, which focus on expenditure for the big boys and not prioritising the needs of the people. not even those under the constitution, under article 43, because health and education have to be budgeted for under the constitution,” Karua said.
There are items in that budget that are not rationalised. What are the other expenses for the State House, which are Ksh 2 billion plus? This budget is like either of the two budgets that the William Ruto administration has passed, which focus on money expenditure for the big boys and does not prioritise the needs of the people.”
Karua also warned that proposed changes, such as an increase in excise duty on fuel, will have a ripple effect across the economy.
“Excise duty on fuel is going to make transport more costly; it has a triple effect on many. This year’s budget is going to bite. And that is what people need to know, and for you to know, it is not a mwanaichi’s budget; it is the arrest of Rose Njeri. Why would you arrest a Kenyan who is just trying to raise awareness and public participation?. Ironically, just before public participation kicked off. Which means public participation is now a ritual, guided for only the people who are approved and not for everybody,” she added.
2025/26 budget
Karua’s remarks come as the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, is expected to deliver the Budget Statement for the Fiscal Year 2025/26 on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
In a public notice published in MyGov on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the National Treasury informed the public that the upcoming address will be held at the Parliament Buildings.
“This is to notify the general public that the Budget Statement for the FY 2025/26 will be delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning on Thursday, 12th June, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. in Parliament,” the notice reads.
Initially set at Ksh4.5 trillion, the budget was trimmed down by the Cabinet to Ksh4.2 trillion, equivalent to 22.1 per cent of GDP, which includes Ksh3.09 trillion for recurrent spending, Ksh725.1 billion for development, Ksh436.7 billion in county transfers, and Ksh5 billion for the Contingency Fund.
