Treasury CS John Mbadi speaks during Bunge la Mwananchi forum at Jivanjee Gardens on Monday, February 3, 2025. :IAN BYRON/KTMN
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has called on Kenyans to actively engage with him and his ministry to help steer the country’s economic recovery.
Speaking at Jivanjee Gardens, Nairobi during a Bunge la Mwanachi forum, Mbadi emphasized the importance of an open-door policy and solicited ideas from citizens to shape the future of the nation’s economy.
“I’m being transparent and open; long gone are the days when Cabinet Secretaries for Finance would only be seen with briefcases going to Parliament to read budget speeches. We must engage more,” said Mbadi. “Please give me an open door, so we can engage with you. Share ideas that will help our economy move forward.”
The CS acknowledged that while he may not have all the answers, he is committed to listening to Kenyans at all levels. “I earn one million shillings, but I work for the people, including those who earn nothing. I want to listen to those people and hear their concerns,” he added.
In his address, Mbadi emphasized that the task of rebuilding the economy is a collective responsibility. He acknowledged the challenges the country faces and pointed to recent protests led by the younger generation, which had erupted due to frustration over the government’s lack of responsiveness. “We must listen to the people,” he stressed, noting that the government’s failure to engage citizens had almost led to widespread unrest.
The CS also expressed openness to criticism, stating that he values all opinions, even those that are critical of his performance at the Treasury. “I respect any opinion, however you put it. Tell me what you think, even if you think I’m doing a poor job at the Treasury. I will listen and consider whether I should resign or continue with my work,” he said.
On fiscal matters, Mbadi provided an update on the government’s efforts to address pending bills. The Treasury has committed Sh663 billion from the supplementary budget to the Pending Bills Committee for analysis. To date, the committee has verified Sh474 billion worth of pending bills, with Sh206 billion already approved for payment.
The CS highlighted that the government is prioritizing the clearance of smaller bills owed to small businesses, with 95% of the verified invoices coming from suppliers who have provided goods and services to the government worth less than Sh10 million. “These are small businesses that have been waiting for payment. We are committed to ensuring they are paid before we address larger outstanding amounts in the next budget cycle,” he explained.
Mbadi concluded by emphasizing that while progress has been made, there is still much work to do in addressing the country’s economic challenges. “We haven’t reached where we want to be, but we are making deliberate efforts every day to make things better for all Kenyans,” he stated.
About the National Treasury
The National Treasury is responsible for managing the country’s finances, ensuring fiscal discipline, and overseeing the implementation of government policies related to economic development.
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