Senator Omtatah Vows To Challenge 'Balloon' 2026/2027 Budget

Senator Omtatah Vows To Challenge ‘Balloon’ 2026/2027 Budget

The government’s Ksh 4.82 trillion budget for 2026/2027 has suffered a serious setback when Busia senator Okiya Omtatah threatened to go to court to contest several of its provisions.

Speaking to the media on Monday, June 22, Omtatah claimed that billions of shillings have been dedicated purely for corruption.

According to Senator Busia, government ministries and departments appear to have thoroughly itemized their operational expenses, which include wages, allowances, rent, hospitality, fuel, maintenance, and office utilities.

However, billions of dollars in additional funds are still being absorbed under the wide category of “other operating expenses.”

Seneta wa kaunti ya Busia Okiya Omtata ameapa kuelekea mahakamani, kupinga mswada wa fedha 2026/2027 kwa kile amekitaja kama kuwa mswada huo una nia fiche ya kunufaisha watu fulani serikalini kwa gharama ya mkenya. #NTVAdhuhuri @ruga_eval pic.twitter.com/u7CYDtU3fD— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 22, 2026

“I’ve gone through the budget, there’s not a single expense that has not been allocated funds, and this includes salaries, allowances, rents of products, hospitality supplies and services, which have all been budgeted for,” Omtatah stated.

“So each respective state department had a balance from its share of the sector working group budget ceiling. Let us say the Ministry of Energy says they want Ksh10, that’s what we had requested.”

Adding, “Then the technocrats go and begin itemising under the Ksh10, then they reach Ksh6, and they find that the budget, the ministry is fully catered for.

“Instead of cutting out the remaining Ksh4, they say the Ksh4 become other operating expenses.”

Big blow to Ruto after Sen Omtatah vow to move to court over 4.8 Trillion Nation Budget saying Ruto is corrupt!! pic.twitter.com/hf2MNHgsJu— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) June 22, 2026

The senator contends that this technique violates constitutional provisions governing public budget management.

The law demands that all expenditure items be clearly identified, itemised, and properly costed to ensure transparency and accountability.

Omtatah further cited examples involving key state agencies, including the Office of the President, the Ministry of Interior, and the National Treasury.

He argued that the classification of expenditures in these areas raises questions about transparency in public spending.

The senator said that he is preparing to file a petition in court next week seeking to have the budget structure reviewed and invalidated.

Last week on Thursday @OkiyaOmtatah,tried to raise an issue on the floor of the Senate where he was constantly interrupted on trivial matters,What he couldn’t say on the floor of the senate we have on paper.
Here, pic.twitter.com/oAtxS2NZCo— NAOMI MISATI (@Dr_Buchu) June 21, 2026

He argued that it may not comply with constitutional principles governing public finance.

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“I will go to court because the budget does not come to the Senate. I will petition the court to stop the budget and also challenge the 2026 finance bill,” Omtatah said.

The move comes days after the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi read the 2026/27 budget, which he said is anchored on a growth-friendly fiscal consolidation strategy.

Of the Ksh4.82 trillion budget, the government will raise Ksh3.56 trillion through revenue collection, while Ksh1.1 trillion will be financed through borrowing.

The Education Ministry is the largest beneficiary of this year’s budget, with the government allocating Ksh 784 billion.

This includes funds for hiring 20,000 teachers on permanent terms, as well as for the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

Senator Omtatah Vows To Challenge ‘Balloon’ 2026/2027 Budget