The reading of the broad-based budget on Thursday was characterised by several empty seats in the National Assembly, heightened security outside and around Parliament, and the air being full of tear gas.
Protesters on Moi Avenue, Nairobi on June 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi arrived at the Parliament buildings accompanied by Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo a few minutes after 2pm for the budget reading.
The two men made their way to the building on foot, accompanied by a heavy security detail. Inside the parliamentary precincts, movement was restricted, with only MPs, accredited journalists, and high-level dignitaries gaining access.
CS Mbadi, the man of the moment, posed for photos with the iconic black budget briefcase as the clock ticked towards 3pm.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi displays his briefcase before the reading of the National Budget on June 12, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
When he took to the National Assembly floor in the afternoon, however, the former Suba South MP was greeted by a few MPs in the chamber as he began reading the Sh4.2 trillion budget for the financial year ending June 30, 2026.
Some sections of the chamber were worst affected, with only a few MPs occupying the seats and many red spaces showing a sparsely occupied House, with many giving the exercise a wide berth.
The National Assembly has 349 members, but only around 100 were present.
Lawmakers could be seen walking in and out of the House, while others were seen chatting as Mr Mbadi continued reading the budget highlights.
However, Junet Mohamed, the MP for Suna East, said that the empty seats should not be cause for alarm, as the current budget-making system is a departure from the old one, where MPs had to be present to find out how the national budget had been allocated.
“Parliament dispensed with the budget a long time ago and CS Mbadi only came to give the highlights. Don’t expect the huge numbers as before because former budgets used to be secret, hence drawing curiosity on the budget statement reading day,” said the National Assembly Minority Leader.
Protesters march along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi on June 12, 2025. They demanded justice for Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody last weekend.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation
While the CS was outlining the impact of public demonstrations on economic activities last year, a few metres away from the Parliament Buildings, anti-riot police officers were busy dispersing protesters demonstrating over the mysterious death of 31-year-old teacher Albert Ojwang, and demanding justice.
Several Nairobi city streets had been occupied by protesters for hours, with anti-riot police officers — some on horseback — forced to barricade Parliament Road and Harambee Avenue, blocking all but government vehicles and pedestrians from passing.
Protesters march along Harambee Avenue, Nairobi on June 12, 2025. They demanded justice for Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody last weekend.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation
As the minutes turned into hours, fatigue started to set in, with some wondering how long the statement would take. This caught the attention of the former ODM chairperson, prompting a cheeky response from the minister, who was flipping through the pages of the statement while glancing at the clock in the chamber.
“Mr Speaker, I know this statement is long. And by the way, Kenya is not a small economy. We are number six in Africa and we have jumped over Ethiopia and so you cannot have a three-pager statement for an economy as big as Kenya,” said CS Mbadi.
The statement caused laughter among the MPs present. “Go on without any apology. So far, so good,” responded National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.
CS Mbadi went on to recount how he had led protests by the minority side against the 2023 Finance Act while serving as ODM chairperson. Last year, some provisions in the 2024 Finance Bill resulted in deadly protests across the country. He requested that the House observe a minute's silence in remembrance of the Kenyans who lost their lives during the protests.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi at Parliament buildings, Nairobi on June 12, 2025 during the budget reading.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation
“These actions in the two years regrettably resulted in destruction of property and loss of lives, and adversely impacted the economic lives of many. In remembrance of fellow Kenyans who lost their most precious lives during these protests, let us observe a minute of silence in their remembrance,” he said.
Another light-hearted moment came when the CS thanked former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his trust in him. This gesture drew a standing ovation from the lawmakers, mostly ODM MPs, who shouted “Baba”.
At 5.22pm, CS Mbadi brought the curtains down with a bow and a sip of water after a presentation lasting some two hours.
“The time now being 5.23pm, this House stands adjourned until Tuesday June 17, 2025 at 2.30pm,” said Speaker Wetang’ula amid choruses of “experts” and “Homa Bay”.
