Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has piled fresh pressure on Members of Parliament (MPs) allied to his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the crucial vote on the 2026 Finance Bill.
In a statement on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Gachagua urged allied MPs to reject the Bill and remain in the National Assembly during voting to force a formal division vote.
"Today’s vote at the National Assembly for or against the 2026 Finance Bill is a defining moment for the people of the Republic of Kenya,” Gachagua stated. “At the end of the day, the people of Kenya will know whether their elected representative supports measures that oppress them more or cares for them.”
Gachagua described the vote as the country’s defining political moment, warning that President William Ruto’s administration would overburden Kenyans with taxes.
“Those members who keep away from the vote and sit on the fence must be deemed to be against the people of Kenya,” he said. “They must make up their mind to be with the people or against them. There is no neutral position when the welfare of the people of Kenya is at stake.”
His remarks come as Parliament prepares for further debate and voting on the Bill, which has already passed Second Reading amid heated exchanges between government and opposition lawmakers.
The tense debate has evoked memories of the 2024 anti-tax protests that rocked the country and forced President William Ruto’s administration to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 after widespread demonstrations led by Gen Zs.
Several leaders opposed to Ruto, including Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have linked the current debate to the anniversary of those protests, which will be marked on June 25.
A key point of contention in the Finance Bill 2026 has been taxation on everyday goods and sectors affecting ordinary Kenyans.
MPs have raised concerns over proposals targeting mitumba imports, rental income taxation, mobile phone imports, and expanded powers for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
During debate in the National Assembly, Kathiani MP Robert Mbui criticised proposals allowing KRA to use third-party data to determine tax liabilities, arguing such measures could unfairly target businesses.
He also questioned why President Ruto’s promise to exempt workers earning below Sh30,000 from PAYE had not been included in the Bill.
“I rise to oppose this draconian, punitive, knee-on-the-neck-of-Kenyans Finance Bill 2026,” Mbui said.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro also accused the government of making promises not reflected in legislation.
“We have seen the Head of State talking about the exemption of PAYE for Kenyans earning below Ksh30,000; that has not been captured here,” Nyoro said during the debate.
Another controversial issue has involved mitumba imports. Critics argue that changing second-hand clothes from zero-rated VAT status to tax-exempt status could increase prices because traders would no longer claim input VAT.
Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka warned that the changes would silently increase the cost of living. “My single biggest problem with this Bill is that it hides price increases inside technical tax language,” he said.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has also called for major amendments or outright rejection of the Bill, warning that some proposals could hurt local manufacturing and destroy jobs.
“This bill should have been a jobs bill. It should have been an industrial bill. It should have been a youth livelihoods bill,” Thang’wa said. “But as currently drafted, it is a job-destroyer bill.”
Thang’wa argued that local mobile phone assemblers and electric mobility firms could suffer because imported finished products may become cheaper than locally assembled goods.
He warned that factories could close if local manufacturers continue facing higher taxes on components and production inputs.
“A country cannot import its way into industrialisation,” the senator said.
Government leaders, however, have defended the Finance Bill 2026 and accused critics of spreading misinformation.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah insisted that the Bill does not introduce harmful taxation measures. “This Bill is not imposing any taxation that may be harmful to Kenyans,” Ichung’wah said in Parliament.
Finance Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani also rejected claims that the Bill imposes new taxes on mitumba traders and mobile phone users.
According to the Finance Committee, Parliament received more than 100,000 submissions during public participation conducted across 13 counties.
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