The Government of Kenya has dismissed claims that a Finance Bill for the 2025/26 fiscal year has already been proposed or tabled in Parliament, calling such information false and misleading.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr) Isaac Mwaura clarified that the budget-making process is still ongoing and that the public will be involved at the appropriate time.
“Contrary to misinformation circulating online, the 2025/26 Budget Process is still underway. No Finance Bill 2025 has been proposed, drafted, or tabled in Parliament,” said Dr. Mwaura, adding that the Finance Bill is only developed after the publication of the Draft Budget, which happens after April 30. He reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring public participation once the bill is officially introduced.
For now, fiscal planning is guided by the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS), the third under the Kenya Kwanza administration. The BPS outlines priorities such as fiscal consolidation, enhanced accountability in public spending, and improving revenue through tax policy reforms and better administrative systems, not through raising taxes as some online claims have suggested.
As part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA Plan), the government is pushing forward with reforms aimed at strengthening agriculture and improving the livelihoods of farmers. One of the major initiatives, the Guaranteed Minimum Returns (GMR) policy, has started to stabilize incomes in several agricultural value chains.
Farmers growing macadamia nuts, for instance, have seen prices increase significantly from KES 24 to KES 100 per kilo. Coffee farmers now earn about KES 130 per kilo, up from just KES 50, largely due to the revitalized Coffee Cherry Fund. The dairy sector has also benefitted, with milk prices rising from KES 37 to KES 50 per litre.
In the sugar industry, farmers are now earning KES 5,300 per metric ton, compared to KES 4,500 previously, and many are receiving bonuses for the first time. Miraa farmers have experienced sharp price increases too—Grade One now sells for KES 1,300, up from KES 700. Grade Two has doubled from KES 350 to KES 700, while Alele Grade has jumped from KES 500 to KES 1,000.
The tea sector is reaping rewards from ongoing value addition efforts, which are enabling Kenya to export processed tea and enhance farmer profits. Meanwhile, avocado exports have positioned Kenya as the top avocado producer in Africa. In the leather sector, investments such as the revitalization of the Narok tannery are opening up new avenues for local production and job creation.
Healthcare is also undergoing significant reform through the new universal health coverage scheme, Taifa Care. Since its rollout in October 2024, the number of registered Kenyans has surged to over 19 million—up from just 8 million under the now-defunct National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), marking a 146 percent increase in less than six months.
According to a recent review of the program’s first 140 days, more than 8.5 million people have received health checkups, with over 331,000 referred for diabetes treatment and more than 711,000 for hypertension care. The scheme has dramatically increased daily coverage for ICU and HDU services from KES 4,480 to KES 28,000. Oncology coverage now stands at KES 550,000 per patient.
Among the early beneficiaries is Amina, a single mother whose son’s cancer treatment was fully covered by Taifa Care. She praised the reformed system, which now processes hospital claims by the 14th of each month, ensuring timely reimbursements. To further ease access, the government has introduced flexible daily payments to make contributions more affordable and is urging all Kenyans to enroll.
In the public health domain, the government has been responding to two disease outbreaks: kala-azar in Wajir and cholera in parts of Nairobi, Migori, and Kisumu. In Wajir County, more than 600 people have been infected with kala-azar since September 2024, resulting in 33 deaths. Working with county authorities, the Ministry of Health has deployed three mobile laboratories in Eldas and Wajir West and established a satellite blood bank equipped with modern diagnostic tools. Health officials report that hospital discharges are now outpacing new admissions, indicating progress in containing the disease.
Meanwhile, cholera has been confirmed in Nairobi and surrounding regions, with at least 100 cases and six deaths reported as of April 8, 2025. In Kibera, a 12-year-old girl named Mercy survived the illness thanks to timely medical intervention. Rapid Response Teams have been activated to distribute essential medical supplies, protective gear, lab kits, and water treatment chemicals, while public awareness campaigns are underway to prevent further spread.
The education sector has also been under scrutiny following several high-profile incidents and policy changes. At Butere Girls High School, a drama production titled Echoes of War was halted after it was discovered that the play had not been approved by the Ministry of Education and was facilitated by trainers unaffiliated with the Teachers Service Commission. While investigations continue, officials stressed that schools must not be used for political expression.
Elsewhere, the Ministry of Education has taken a firm stance on the illegal withholding of examination certificates by some school principals over unpaid fees. County Directors of Education have been given a 14-day deadline to report on compliance, with legal action threatened against defiant school heads. On higher education, the government has announced a new, court-mandated model for university funding, which will undergo a nationwide public participation process to ensure fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability.
Gender-based violence has emerged as a national crisis, with over 100 femicide cases reported in the past six months alone, including the widely mourned murder of 24-year-old Esther in Nairobi. In response, the government has ramped up its efforts to address the issue. A Technical Working Group on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide were established in January 2025 to review key legislation, including the Sexual Offences Act (2006) and the Protection against Domestic Violence Act (2015).
Public forums will be held in all 47 counties to collect citizen input on how best to tackle the crisis, and a revised National Policy on GBV (2025) is awaiting Cabinet approval. Kenya has also signed the African Union Convention on Eliminating Violence against Women and Girls, underlining its regional commitment to ending GBV.
Dr. Mwaura called on citizens to remain vigilant against misinformation and to stay engaged with the government’s reform agenda.
“We are committed to transparency, accountability, and the well-being of every Kenyan,” he said. “Let us stand united in building a just, prosperous, and resilient nation.”
