Gachagua rallies DCP allied MPs to vote against Finance Bill

The development follows the tabling of the National Assembly Finance and Planning Committee's report on Tuesday afternoon, leaving the Bill's Third Reading, a vote by MPs and eventual presidential assent as the remaining stages before it can become law.

The Finance Bill seeks to raise an estimated Sh120 billion to help finance the government's Sh4.8 trillion budget for the 2026-27 financial year, but has continued to attract criticism from opposition lawmakers and consumer rights groups.

Debate on the Bill got off to a tense start on Tuesday, with MPs engaging in heated exchanges over some of the proposed tax measures and recommendations contained in the committee report.

The political contest over the Bill comes even as the courts declined to suspend its consideration in Parliament despite admitting a petition challenging several of its provisions.

The case was filed on Monday by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek), which has questioned aspects of the Bill relating to consumer protection, privacy rights, public participation and taxation.

In directions issued by the Constitutional and Human Rights Division of the High Court at Milimani, Justice David Mburu certified the matter as urgent but declined to stop parliamentary proceedings.

The judge ordered the petition to be served upon the respondents, including the National Treasury and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), by the close of business on June 17.

The respondents have been given seven days to file their responses, with the matter scheduled for mention on June 25.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has instructed Members of Parliament allied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) to vote against the Finance Bill 2026, describing the vote as a defining moment for the country.

In a statement ahead of Thursday's vote in the National Assembly, Gachagua said legislators must take a clear position on the proposed law.

He argued that the outcome would reveal whether elected leaders stand with ordinary Kenyans or support policies that increase their economic burden.

"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. 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," he said.

Gachagua said all MPs allied to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) had been directed to oppose the Bill and remain in the House to ensure a formal division vote is conducted.

"Our DCP-allied members have instructions to vote against the Finance Bill 2026 and stay in the House to force a division. The people of Kenya must know who is for or against them," he said.

The former Deputy President also criticised legislators who may choose to abstain or stay away from the vote, saying neutrality was not an option when issues affecting citizens' welfare were under consideration.

"Those members who keep away from the vote and sit on the fence must be deemed to be against the people of Kenya. They must make up their mind to be with the people or against them," he stated.

"There is no neutral position when the welfare of the people of Kenya is at stake. You are either for the people of Kenya or against them."

On Wednesday, the National Assembly concluded the Second Reading of the Finance Bill 2026.

Cofek argues that Parliament is nearing the completion of the legislative process and that the disputed provisions could become law before the court determines the constitutional questions raised in the petition.

"The legislative process is ongoing and nearing its final stages, creating a risk that the disputed provisions could become law before the court considers the constitutional issues raised," the petition states.