EMMANUEL WEKESA
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has accused the opposition of misleading Kenyans by alleging the inclusion of non-existent clauses in the 2026 Finance Bill. Mbadi defends the bill as a necessary measure designed to ease the tax burden on taxpayers and support the country's economic stability.
Finance Bill 2026 and Opposition Claims
Mbadi emphasized that the opposition's call to reject the bill outright is purely political and intended to mislead the public. He challenged opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka, to specify the clauses they allege are misleading or fictitious, asserting that no such clauses exist in the bill currently before Parliament.
The government has proposed a 25% excise duty on mobile phones and wireless networks, responding to the digital economy's growth, despite public uproar over the move. Mbadi justified this by stating that the measure would simplify taxation, where users pay the duty upon activating their phones, rather than through complex taxes on telecommunications services.
Additionally, Mbadi acknowledged the unfulfilled pledge to reduce Pay As You Earn (PAYE) by 5%, explaining that those plans are still under technical review and not yet incorporated into the bill. The Treasury aims to raise Ksh. 3.63 trillion through various tax measures included in the bill, emphasizing a balanced approach to fiscal policy.
In summary, Mbadi firmly defends the bill’s integrity and emphasizes the need for an objective analysis rather than politically motivated accusations. He calls on Kenyans to scrutinize the bill factually and resist misinformation efforts by opposition figures.
