Deserting duty: Shame as 186 MPs skip Finance Bill vote

The numbers do not, however, include former ANC nominated MP Joseph Hamisi, who died in a road accident on December 6, 2026, and Ol Kalou constituency, which also fell vacant following the death of lawmaker David Kiaraho.

The ANC position is yet to be filled, thanks to a legal dispute before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT). Nonetheless, when the matter was put to a vote at about 9:15pm on Thursday, 122 MPs approved the Bill against 40 who opposed it. There were no abstentions.

The Bill, as published, had projected raising Sh120 billion in additional revenue to finance the Sh4.82 trillion budget for the fiscal year 2026/2027 against a revenue projection of Sh3.6 trillion and a fiscal deficit of Sh1.2 trillion.

Assuming those who were absent turned up and voted no, the Bill would have been lost, meaning it would have failed. This would have meant no additional revenue for the government and also no new taxes imposed.

However, following protestations by stakeholders and the general public about the punitive tax proposals, the House Committee on Finance and National Planning recommended various amendments that were carried by the House, effectively lowering the projected revenue to less than Sh70 billion.

Mr Nyoro, who had vehemently opposed the Bill on account that it was injurious to the economy as it would increase the cost of living during the debate, did not show up at the crucial moment.

Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, who was among the absentees, claimed she was out of the country.

“I was in Canada on an assignment,” she told the Nation.

On Friday, the Kiharu MP said that his absence in the House when the vote was taken on the Bill was because, “I have been out of the country since Wednesday evening, which is the reason I was not in Parliament.”

Read: Finance Bill pressure turns House into theatre of shouting matches

“We have always been available and forthright in debating both the Appropriations Bill 2026 and the Finance Bill 2026 in the committee and on the floor of the House as a commitment to giving a different and alternative view,” said Mr Nyoro, noting that it is not all gloom and doom.

The legislator went on to acknowledge and appreciate the feedback from Kenyans “on that matter, and it exemplifies the fact that we are all concerned about our economy and fiscal policies.”

The others who were also absent during the voting include Didmus Barasa (Kimilili), Mary Wamaua (Maragua), Innocent Mugabe (Likuyani), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Doris Donya (Kisii County Woman Representative) and John Njuguna aka Kawanjiku (Kiambaa).

Although Article 121 of the Constitution states that the National Assembly should have a minimum of 50 members and the Senate 15 to conduct business, the Speakers of the two Houses have continuously encouraged members to be physically present, especially when critical matters that affect the people are concerned.

Mr Mbiuki, the Maara MP, is the chairperson of the House Committee on Tourism and is serving his fourth term, having been first elected in the 2007 General Election. This means that he is a ranking member of the House.

He did not respond to our inquiries about why he was not in the House to vote. Mr Melly, the Tinderet MP, is the chairperson of the House Committee on Education and was first elected to the House in the March 2013 General Election.

“I was there throughout,” said Mr Melly, but could not confirm whether he was present at the time the vote on the Bill was taken.

Mr Kariuki and Mr Barasa are the chairperson and vice chairperson, respectively, of the crucial House Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

The two did not immediately respond to inquiries sent to their known mobile numbers.

They are often in their respective counties as they are said to harbour governorship ambitions.

Ms Alice Ng’ang’a, the Thika Town MP, also chairs the House Committee on Social Protection and also has ambitions to be Kiambu governor in 2027.

She equally did not respond to our inquiries, as did Mr Mugabe, Ms Donya and Mr Kawanjiku.

Read: Cofek challenges Finance Bill 2026 in court ahead of parliamentary approval

Mr Nyoro has been vocal about the unpopular economic and financial policies that he accused the government of forcing down the throats of already overburdened Kenyans.

At the height of the US-Israel vs Iran war that led to disruption of supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, Mr Nyoro proposed a reduction of the country’s expenditure projections to cushion Kenyans from the vagaries of an “exploitative taxation regime.”

The proposal was, however, turned down by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.

Speaking to the Nation, the MP revealed that “this has also been an important platform for informing Kenyans on the things that affect them, their businesses, investment decisions and the economy in general.”

“Whereas this is important, we also must acknowledge the fact that Parliament is in an unprecedented phase where both the majority and the minority leadership are on the same side, thereby making it difficult to effectively act as an institution of oversight,” he added.

Mr Nyoro accused the Finance Committee of failing to include his proposal to reduce fuel prices despite having appeared before it.

“Unfortunately, the Finance Committee did not include the proposals in their final report,” said Mr Nyoro.

"The alternative that was left was that of initiating a private Member’s Bill. However, this was deemed a ‘money Bill’ and could not be carried as an amendment in the Finance Bill on the Floor. It had to take its own course,” he added.

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