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Finance Bill: United Opposition mulls call for demos
Jubilee Party Deputy Party leader Fred Matiang'i.
Proposals in the 2026 Finance Bill have sparked debate across the country, with United Opposition leaders threatening to take to the streets and bring back the ghosts of anti-government demonstrations that brought the country to a standstill in 2024.
Jubilee Party presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang’i announced that the party would consult its members nationwide on how to proceed if the government remained determined to pass the Bill.
Dr Matiang’i stated that the proposed law should be rejected in its entirety as it is intended to increase the cost of living for ordinary Kenyans who are already struggling due to the high cost of fuel.
“We as the Jubilee Party join other Kenyans in rejecting Finance Bill 2026...You wonder where Kenyans will go and how they will live; the cost of living is already unbearable for them. Kenyan workers are now in slavery,” Dr Matiang’i said, adding that the proposed Bill is draconian and punitive.
In his press address, he stated that the country is headed for crisis due to the government's misplaced priorities.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gchagua has also termed the Bill as punitive. His deputy party leader Cleophas Malala said the government’s attempts to link the former deputy president to the recent fuel price protests is meant to hoodwink Kenyans on Finance Bill 2026/2027.
“The government cannot purport that the high fuel cost only affects the matatu sector. Every Kenyan is affected by this insensitive fuel price hike. But the good thing is, the government is digging its own political grave deeper. While addressing fuel costs, address every Kenyan, not just the transport sector,” Mr Malala said.
The Gachagua-led party claimed that the ongoing debate on the Finance Bill and the high cost of fuel is among reasons why the party leader cut short his trip in the United Kingdom. Mr Gachagua had initially stated that he would be in the UK for a month to engage with the Kenyans in the diaspora.
Proposals in the 2026 Finance Bill have sparked debate across the country, with United Opposition leaders threatening to take to the streets and bring back the ghosts of anti-government demonstrations that brought the country to a standstill in 2024.
Jubilee Party presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang’i announced that the party would consult its members nationwide on how to proceed if the government remained determined to pass the Bill.
Dr Matiang’i stated that the proposed law should be rejected in its entirety as it is intended to increase the cost of living for ordinary Kenyans who are already struggling due to the high cost of fuel.
“We as the Jubilee Party join other Kenyans in rejecting Finance Bill 2026...You wonder where Kenyans will go and how they will live; the cost of living is already unbearable for them. Kenyan workers are now in slavery,” Dr Matiang’i said, adding that the proposed Bill is draconian and punitive.
In his press address, he stated that the country is headed for crisis due to the government's misplaced priorities.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gchagua has also termed the Bill as punitive. His deputy party leader Cleophas Malala said the government’s attempts to link the former deputy president to the recent fuel price protests is meant to hoodwink Kenyans on Finance Bill 2026/2027.
“The government cannot purport that the high fuel cost only affects the matatu sector. Every Kenyan is affected by this insensitive fuel price hike. But the good thing is, the government is digging its own political grave deeper. While addressing fuel costs, address every Kenyan, not just the transport sector,” Mr Malala said.
The Gachagua-led party claimed that the ongoing debate on the Finance Bill and the high cost of fuel is among reasons why the party leader cut short his trip in the United Kingdom. Mr Gachagua had initially stated that he would be in the UK for a month to engage with the Kenyans in the diaspora.
Contentious clauses
Sections of the Bill that have attracted criticism from Kenyans and the Opposition include bringing the tax filing deadline up to April 30 from the current June 30.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo reckons have such changes would reduce the time available for audit completion, cash flow planning and compliance.
The Bill also seeks to impose a 5 percent tax act of customs for second-hand clothes (mitumba) imported by traders into the country. It also seeks to increase residential rental income tax from the current 7.5 percent to 10 percent, which is expected to affect both landlords and tenants.
It has also proposed for a 25 percent excise duty on telephones for cellular and wireless networks.
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