… The Kenya Kwanza House leadership, led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, mounted a spirited defence of the Bill, dismissing claims that it contains punitive taxes targeting Kenyans. …
… According to Moody’s Ratings, the Kenya Kwanza administration’s planned belt-tightening is unlikely to materialise amid revenue shortfalls, spending rigidity, and weak debt affordability. …
Audio By VocalizeOpposition MPs accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using its numerical strength in Parliament to push through controversial tax proposals without giving legislators sufficient time to examine the 124-page Bill or consider concerns raised by Kenyans during …
… IMC Construction Kenya, which is owned by Wicknell Chivayo - a controversial Zimbabwean businessman who now appears to have deep ties with the Kenya Kwanza regime and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a subsidiary of Chinese state-owned firm China Communications Construct …
… According to Moody’s Ratings, the Kenya Kwanza administration’s planned belt-tightening is unlikely to materialise amid revenue shortfalls, spending rigidity, and weak debt affordability. …
… He also criticized President William Ruto's administration, arguing that it could no longer rely on the "hustler" narrative that helped propel Kenya Kwanza to power in 2022."The problem starts with President Ruto. …
… The ruling Kenya Kwanza administration alongside critics have censured the faction, saying they are a confused political team and have no trustworthy manifesto to offer to Kenyans.
… The CS emphasized that empowering young people through skills training remains a key pillar of the Kenya Kwanza administration's economic transformation agenda, adding that investment in human capital development is critical to addressing youth unemployment and accelerating econo …
… He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of killing industries in the Mt Kenya region and questioned the government's spending priorities, particularly on the controversial housing levy. …
The Finance Bill 2026 advanced through its second reading in Parliament despite sharp disagreements between pro-government and opposition MPs. Pro-government leaders dismissed claims the bill imposes punitive taxes, while opposition lawmakers alleged it contains hidden taxes on mitumba clothing and mobile phones.
Why it matters
Finance Bill 2026 advances amid sharp partisan disagreements over hidden taxes on mitumba and mobile phones, signalling continued parliamentary and public tension.
The Finance Bill 2026 advanced through its second reading in Parliament despite sharp disagreements between pro-government and opposition MPs. Pro-government leaders dismissed claims the bill imposes punitive taxes, while opposition lawmakers alleged it contains hidden taxes on mitumba clothing and mobile phones.
Moody's Ratings warns that the Kenya Kwanza administration's planned belt-tightening is unlikely to succeed amid revenue shortfalls, spending rigidity, and weak debt affordability as it seeks to fund a record Sh4.82 trillion budget for the 2026-27 financial year.
The Finance Bill 2026 passed its Second Reading in Parliament on Wednesday amid heated exchanges between government and opposition lawmakers, with opposition MPs claiming the Kenya Kwanza administration used its numerical strength to push through the 124-page bill without sufficient time for examination or consideration of public concerns. Opposition lawmakers protested what they described as rushed legislative process and disputed claims of hidden taxes.
The government has contracted IMC Construction Kenya, owned by Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, and China Road and Bridge Corporation for a Sh375 billion project to expand and modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. The deal has sparked concerns similar to those raised over the rejected Adani proposal, particularly regarding lack of transparency in the bidding process.
Moody's Ratings cautions that President William Ruto's administration's planned fiscal belt-tightening is unlikely to materialise amid revenue shortfalls, spending rigidity, and weak debt affordability as it seeks to fund a record Sh4.82 trillion budget for the 2026-27 financial year.
Political analyst Prof Peter Kagwanja has described reports that some immigration officials are selling Kenyan identity cards to foreigners as an assault on the country's sovereignty, warning that such actions undermine Kenya's security and could heighten tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Political tensions are rising in Bungoma County as Kenya Kwanza and opposition forces compete for support. Over the weekend, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa held a rally in Kanduyi Constituency while the United Opposition intensified its campaign in Western Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.
People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua says she will not be a running mate ahead of the 2027 General Election, but aims to be the United Opposition's presidential candidate. She indicated willingness to support whoever is chosen without serving as their deputy.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku announced a government plan to integrate the National Youth Service (NYS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to create a seamless training framework that equips young people with practical skills and employment opportunities.
Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata joined the Linda Mwananchi opposition brigade at a rally in Thika, Kiambu County, where leaders attacked President William Ruto's administration and declared his days in office numbered. The rally was briefly interrupted by rowdy youths but continued despite the disruption.
United Opposition leaders Eugene Wamalwa and Kalonzo Musyoka have dismissed the government's fuel price reduction—22 cents per litre for petrol and Ksh.10 for diesel—as inadequate, saying it exposes indifference to the high cost of living and vowing to prosecute Kenya Kwanza leaders if they form the next government in 2027.
Orange Democratic Movement Party leader Oburu Oginga has defended the government's 2026 budget deficit financing strategy, arguing that borrowing to bridge revenue gaps is common worldwide and that Kenya is right to prioritize domestic over external borrowing. Oburu, speaking at a church fundraiser in Kajiado County, dismissed criticism over the country's borrowing levels, saying the focus should be on how the deficit is financed rather than the existence of the deficit itself.
Muranga Governor Irungu Kang'ata joined the Linda Mwananchi movement at a rally in Thika, criticising the government's affordable housing programme and calling for funds to be redirected to free education. The movement said it will work with the United Opposition to contest the 2027 general election.
Politicians in West Pokot County, led by former Governor John Lonyangapuo, have intensified calls for President William Ruto to be given a second term, arguing he needs more time to implement his development agenda. Lonyangapuo dismissed early opposition campaigns and said Rift Valley leaders would continue to support the President's agenda.
The Treasury Cabinet Secretary announced the government will spend Sh784.5 billion on education in the 2026/27 financial year, with Sh424 billion for teachers' salaries, dismissing claims of budget cuts. Education accounts for 26.5 per cent of the ministerial budget, up from 24.5 per cent in 2021/22, representing a rise of nearly 49 per cent from Sh526 billion in 2021/22.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that more than 31.2 million Kenyans have registered under the Social Health Authority (SHA), replacing the defunct NHIF as part of the government's Universal Health Coverage programme. The transition marks a significant increase from the approximately eight million previously covered under NHIF, supported by 228 Primary Care Networks, 107,831 Community Health Promoters, and 16,810 deployed medical interns.
Kenya's health docket has been allocated Sh175.5 billion in the 2026/27 Budget Estimates, a Sh37.5 billion increase from the current year, as the government accelerates Universal Health Coverage rollout amid reductions in donor support.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has campaigned for UDA candidate Samuel Muchina in the forthcoming Ol Kalou by-election, urging voters to elect him to continue development and ensure the constituency receives its rightful share in government.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pledged to rally opposition supporters behind a unified presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. After the High Court upheld his impeachment but awarded him Sh50 million for violation of his fair hearing rights, Gachagua announced a 45-day consultation process at his Nyeri residence to build consensus around a single opposition flag bearer.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he remains eligible to contest the presidency in 2027 and announced a 45-day political retreat to his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County following a High Court ruling that upheld his impeachment. The DCP leader said his focus would shift to building consensus within the opposition coalition to identify a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto.
Opposition leader Rigathi Gachagua announced a 45-day retreat at his Wamunyoro residence to conduct consultations aimed at unifying the opposition around a single presidential candidate to challenge President William Ruto in 2027. He said a 16-member caucus concluded that opposition mobilisation against the Kenya Kwanza administration was largely complete and that agreeing on a single opposition candidate was essential to unseating the president.
People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has rejected key proposals in the 2026 Finance Bill, arguing the government is prioritising higher taxation over fiscal discipline. Karua outlined PLP's alternative economic plan centred on spending restraint, support for productive sectors, and relief measures for households and businesses.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said he will appeal the High Court's decision upholding his impeachment, arguing that his constitutional right to a fair hearing was violated during the process and that principles of natural justice were disregarded in Senate proceedings.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged Western region leaders to support President William Ruto in 2027 rather than bargain for the Deputy President position, as the Luhya community should focus on winning the presidency in 2032. Barasa noted the community has already produced three deputy presidents and should now aim for the country's top seat.
Kenya Kwanza leaders, led by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, campaigned in Vihiga County urging residents to support President William Ruto's re-election, arguing that the Western region would continue benefiting from government development programmes including road construction, affordable housing, and Standard Gauge Railway extension if Ruto secures a second term.
People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has accused the government of overtaxing citizens while failing to address corruption, wasteful spending, and poor service delivery. She presented a "Rescue Budget" as a people-centered alternative to the Kenya Kwanza administration's economic policies, arguing that Kenya's economic challenges stem from poor leadership and fiscal indiscipline rather than insufficient revenue.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula told Western Kenya youth to support President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid, while hinting at his own presidential ambitions in 2032 and calling for strong national political alliances across regions.