Also known as: 2026 Finance Bill · 2026/27 Budget Statement
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
Capital News
NAIROBI,Kenya June 11 – Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government’s decision to leave tax rates unchanged and avoid introducing fresh levies in the 2026 Finance Bill, arguing that the move is aimed at shielding Kenyans from further economic strain. …
No New Taxes as Government Prioritises Relief for Kenyans, Says MbadiCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 11 – National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has dismissed criticism over President William Ruto’s absence during the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Statement, insisting that the exercise is exclusively a parliamentary function and does not require the …
Wetang’ula Defends Ruto’s Absence During Budget Presentation, Says Process Is Parliament’s PreserveThe Standard
… further said the budget would deliver on key government promises, including education, health, affordable housing and infrastructure development, insisting that no pledge to Kenyans would be left unfulfilled.He also defended proposed revenue measures contained in the Finance Bill …
Govt defends budget strategy despite rising deficitThe Standard
With public participation on the 2026 Finance Bill and the 2026/27 budget estimates now complete, we should expect the respective Finance & Planning, and Budget & Appropriations, Committees of the National Assembly to issue their eagerly-awaited reports, which will lead to the 20 …
How Finance Bill debate glosses over important revenue questionsCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya May 31 – The ODM Linda Mwananchi faction has ramped up criticism over the proposed taxation in the 2026 Finance Bill, faulting the Kenya Kwanza administration for what they term runaway public spending. …
ODM Leaders Fault State Spending, rallies Rejection of Finance BillCapital News
… The National Treasury is currently proposing for Mitumba to be exempt if the Finance Bill becomes law. …
Mitumba traders push for 5% import tax in Finance BillThe Standard
… He also opposed the proposed Finance Bill, arguing that it would increase the burden on ordinary citizens already grappling with a high cost of living."The Finance Bill should not be passed because it will further oppress Kenyans. …
MP Wanyama heckled as opposition backs SifunaCapital News
NAIROBI, Kenya May 21 – Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) has registered strong opposition to the Finance Bill’s attempt to introduce Withholding Tax (WHT) on card transaction fees (such as interchange and merchant fees paid to network giants like VISA). …
Bankers warn card and digital payment taxes might lead to financial exclusionThe Standard
President William Ruto’s government has unveiled a Finance Bill that resurrects the ghost of the 2024 Gen Z uprising, where dozens of protesters were killed and Parliament set ablaze, by reintroducing a sweeping array of taxes on everyday goods and services – from mobile phones a …
Punitive, again: Ruto's 2026 Finance Bill revives ghost of Gen Z protests that forced retreatThe Standard
… Drawing parallels with Kenya, the organisations pointed to recent protest crackdowns dating back to 2023, including demonstrations against the high cost of living and the controversial Finance Bill, where security forces were accused of using excessive force, leading to deaths an …
Rights groups condemn Suluhu's remarks on clamping down Gen ZKenyans plan to hold a second commemoration of June 25, 2024 protest victims with nationwide candlelighting ceremonies on Thursday. President Ruto has cautioned against chaos, property destruction, or disruption of services during the anniversary.
14 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Kenyans plan to hold a second commemoration of June 25, 2024 protest victims with nationwide candlelighting ceremonies on Thursday. President Ruto has cautioned against chaos, property destruction, or disruption of services during the anniversary.
14 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that Kenya's Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, scheduled for debate with only one day of public hearings in Nairobi, does not adequately represent the 2.3 million smokers who may benefit from smokeless nicotine alternatives.
23 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
An opinion piece argues that the Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill, with only one day of public hearings set aside nationwide, fails to adequately consult the 2.3 million smokers who might benefit from smokeless nicotine alternatives as a means to quit combustible tobacco.
23 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Siaya Governor James Orengo has urged President William Ruto to reject the Finance Bill, arguing that many MPs were absent during the vote and that those who walked out should be counted among opponents. Orengo's call comes ahead of planned June 25 demonstrations commemorating victims of last year's anti-government protests.
22 June 2026 · Capital News →
Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat has assured Kenyans of adequate security ahead of planned June 25 demonstrations, saying security agencies have put in place sufficient measures to maintain law and order while safeguarding constitutional rights. Lagat urged youth not to allow themselves to be used to disrupt peace and said security agencies are intensifying operations against criminal groups that infiltrate demonstrations.
21 June 2026 · The Standard →
The Orange Democratic Movement has instructed its supporters not to participate in June 25 anniversary protests planned for next Thursday, with ODM leaders affirming the party's commitment to the broad-based government and preference for victim compensation efforts over further demonstrations.
20 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The funeral of Maasai elder and former land rights activist Harun Lempaka in Narok South became a political battleground, with leaders from the opposition and ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition trading barbs over the 2027 electoral contest. Siaya Governor James Orengo led opposition tributes and asserted he is the legitimate ODM party leader backing the Linda Mwananchi movement.
20 June 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro acknowledged his regrettable absence from Parliament during the 2026 Finance Bill debate and vote, saying he had travelled abroad for previously scheduled engagements. He noted public feedback reflected the responsibility of leaders and cited his past interventions on policy issues including secondary school fees and Safaricom share sales.
20 June 2026 · Capital News →
Many MPs who were vocal in the lead-up to the Finance Bill debate were largely absent when Parliament debated and voted on the legislation, despite opposition leaders' efforts to rally them to oppose what they called unpopular legislation.
20 June 2026 · The Standard →
The Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Minority Leader dismissed the opposition's budget presentation, accusing them of misrepresenting the budgeting process and not understanding current constitutional procedures. Ichung'wah argued that under the current Constitution, the Cabinet Secretary does not read budgets to Parliament, contrary to the opposition's claims.
12 June 2026 · The Standard →
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that the government will not introduce new taxes or raise tax rates in the 2026 Finance Bill, instead focusing on improving tax administration and broadening the taxpayer base to increase revenue collection. Mbadi said the approach prioritizes relief for Kenyans and reflects lessons learned from the 2024 Finance Bill fallout.
11 June 2026 · Capital News →
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has dismissed criticism of President William Ruto's absence during the 2026/27 Budget Statement presentation, ruling that there is no constitutional, legal or procedural requirement for the President to attend Parliament when the Treasury Cabinet Secretary presents the budget. Wetang'ula stated the budget-making process is Parliament's preserve and is distinct from occasions when the President addresses a joint sitting of the House.
11 June 2026 · Capital News →
The government has defended its fiscal strategy, saying the national budget deficit remains a concern but is gradually declining compared to last year. Treasury is introducing alternative financing measures, including the National Infrastructure Fund, to bridge the gap.
11 June 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that Kenya's budget process examines only tax changes rather than total revenue alongside spending, suggesting an Annual Revenue Act mirroring the Annual Appropriations Act would provide fuller budget clarity. The author notes this reasoning was raised against the 2023 Finance Act but rejected by the Supreme Court.
2 June 2026 · The Standard →
ODM leaders including Godfrey Osotsi, Edwin Sifuna, and Babu Owino have criticized the Kenya Kwanza administration for public spending they describe as wasteful, citing State House expenditure of KSh18 billion annually, and are urging MPs across the political divide to vote against the proposed 2026 Finance Bill.
31 May 2026 · Capital News →
Mitumba traders have proposed a simplified 5 percent final tax at importation to replace the current system (16% VAT, 60% Corporation Tax, and 30% trader tax), arguing it will ease compliance and maintain affordability of second-hand clothes. The proposal comes as the National Treasury currently proposes exempting Mitumba under the Finance Bill.
30 May 2026 · Capital News →
At a burial in Bungoma County, political leaders clashed over the 2027 election, development record, and President Ruto's re-election prospects. Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama faced hostility when promoting Ruto's two-term agenda, while opposition figures including Bumula MP Jack Wamboka attacked the Kenya Kwanza administration for stalled infrastructure, corruption, and economic hardship.
30 May 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Bankers Association has called for deletion of proposed Withholding Tax on card transaction fees and a 16 per cent VAT on digital payment processing, warning the combined tax burden would increase total digital financial transaction costs and risk financial exclusion.
21 May 2026 · Capital News →
President William Ruto's government has unveiled a Finance Bill that reintroduces a broad array of taxes on everyday goods and services including mobile phones, bottled water, coal, plastic basins, and credit card transactions, echoing the taxes that sparked the 2024 Gen Z uprising that resulted in dozens of deaths and Parliament being set ablaze.
10 May 2026 · The Standard →
Human rights organisations across East Africa have condemned Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's recent remarks targeting young people, warning that such rhetoric risks legitimising state violence and repression. The Pan African Solidarity Network and Pan-African Progressive Leaders Solidarity Network accused leaders in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda of forming an "autocratic alliance" aimed at portraying Gen Z as a threat, citing a May 4 address in which Suluhu used language signalling a crackdown on dissenters.
6 May 2026 · The Standard →