The making of a national budget: Kenya’s budget cycle timeline
Kenya’s financial cycle relies on the budget process, which begins with the budget-making process. The budget process is guided by the budget calendar issued by the National Treasury and Economic Planning ministry, which stipulates timelines for several key activities to be undertaken to finalise the Budget and submit it for approval by 30th April of each financial year. The key budget process activities and description of the key documents are as shown below:
| Activity | Responsibility | Timeline |
| 1. Develop and issue MTEF guidelines | National Treasury | Sep 2023 |
| 2. Launch of Sector Working Groups | National Treasury | Sep 2023 |
| 2.1 Programme Performance & Strategic Reviews | MDAs | Sep 2023 |
| 2.2 Review and update of strategic plans | ||
| 2.3 Review of programme outputs and outcomes | ||
| 2.4 Expenditure Review | ||
| 2.5 Review and approval of projects | Project Committees | Sep 2023 |
| 2.6 Progress report on MTP implementation | MDAs | Sep 2023 |
| 2.7 Preparation of annual plans | MDAs | Sep 2023 |
| 3. Development of Medium-Term Budget Framework (BROP) | Macro Working
Group |
Sep 2023 |
| 3.1 Submission and approval of BROP by Cabinet | Oct 2023 | |
| 3.2 Submission of approved BROP to Parliament | Oct 2023 | |
| 4. Preparation and submission of MTEF Sector budget proposals | Line Ministries | Oct 2023 |
| 4.1 Retreats to draft Sector Reports | Sector Working Group | Nov-Dec 2023 |
| 4.2 Public Sector Hearing | National Treasury | Nov-Dec 2023 |
| 4.3 Review and incorporation of stakeholder inputs in the Sector proposals | Sector Working Group | Nov-Dec 2023 |
| 4.4 Submission of Sector Report to Treasury | Sector Working Chairpersons | Nov-Dec 2023 |
| 4.5 Consultative meeting with CSs/PSs on Sector Budget proposals | National Treasury | Dec 2023 |
| 5. Development of Draft Budget Policy Statement (BPS) | Macro Working Group | Dec 2023 |
| 5.1 Draft BPS | Macro Working Group | Dec 2023 |
| 5.2 Division of Revenue Bill (DORB) | National Treasury
|
Dec 2023 |
| 5.3 County Allocation of Revenue Bill (CARB) | Dec 2023 | |
| 5.4 Submission of BPS, DORB and CARB to Cabinet for approval | Jan 2024 | |
| 5.5 Submission of BPS, DORB and CARB to Parliament for approval | Feb 2024 | |
| 6. Develop and issue guidelines on preparation of the MTEF Budget | National Treasury | Feb 2024 |
| 6.1 Develop and issue final guidelines on preparation of 2017/18 MTEF Budget | National Treasury | Feb 2024 |
| 6.2 Submission of Budget Proposals to Treasury | Line Ministries | March 2024 |
| 7. Consolidation of the Draft Budget Estimates | National Treasury | April 2024 |
| 7.1 Submission of Draft Budget Estimates to Cabinet for Approval | April 2024 | |
| 8. Submission of Draft Budget Estimates to Parliament | National Treasury | April 2024 |
| 8.1 Review of Draft Budget Estimates by Parliament | National Assembly | May 2024 |
| 8.2 Report on Draft Budget Estimates from Parliament | National Assembly | May 2024 |
| 8.3 Consolidation of the Final Budget Estimates | National Treasury | May 2024 |
| 9. Submission of Appropriation Bill to Parliament on the Final Budget Estimates | National Treasury | June 2024 |
| 10. Budget Statement/Speech | National Treasury | June 2024 |
| 11 Appropriation Bill Passed | National Assembly | June 2024 |
| 12. Finance Bill Passed | National Assembly | June 2024 |