The National Assembly is expected to hold a final vote on the Finance Bill 2026 this afternoon, a move that will determine the fate of several tax proposals and revenue-raising measures for the 2026/27 financial year.
Before the vote, lawmakers will consider and vote on proposed amendments during the Committee of the Whole House stage, where specific clauses of the Bill can be amended, approved, or removed.
The government has continued to defend the Bill, arguing that it is crucial for implementing the national budget and supporting economic growth. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the proposals are part of a broader economic strategy aimed at attracting investment, creating jobs, and strengthening economic resilience.
However, opposition lawmakers have maintained their opposition to the Bill, arguing that some of the proposed tax measures will place an additional burden on citizens. On their part, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Finance Committee Chairperson Kimani Kuria insisted that “extensive public participation was conducted and several controversial proposals were revised or dropped following consultations with stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged opposition MPs to vote against the Bill, while the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) continues to seek court intervention to suspend some of the contested provisions.
The outcome of today’s vote is expected to have significant implications for tax policy, government spending, and the financing of the nearly KSh4.8 trillion budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
