Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi opened the 2026/2027 budget statement presentation on an emotional note, pausing to honour the late ODM Party Leader Raila Amolo Odinga and inviting all members of the National Assembly to observe a minute of silence in his memory.
“This is the first budget since the passing of the late, Right Honourable His Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga, who is fondly remembered as a patriot and national hero who championed economic justice, democracy and equal opportunity for all Kenyans. His legacy continues to inspire and guide us as we transform Kenya into a newly industrialised and middle-income economy,” Mbadi said.
The CS requested all members of the house and guests in the galleries to rise for the one-minute silence, a moment that brought a solemn pause to what is traditionally one of the most anticipated parliamentary presentations of the year.
Speaking outside the formal budget address, Mbadi described Odinga as a statesman whose vision for the country lives on.
“This is the first budget since the passing of ODM Leader Raila Amolo Odinga, who was a statesman. His legacy continues to inspire us as a country as we push towards being a first economy country,” he said.
Mbadi was presenting the budget statement before the 13th Parliament of the Republic of Kenya in fulfilment of the requirements of Section 40 of the Public Finance Management Act.
