Tension in Parliament as opposition MPs plan to walk out on Finance Bill proceedings

The National Assembly is expected to vote on the Finance Bill 2026 amid heightened political tensions, with opposition lawmakers reportedly planning to disrupt proceedings before staging a walkout in protest against some of the proposed tax measures.

Before the final vote, MPs will consider and vote on more than 50 individual clauses contained in the Bill during the committee of the Whole House stage, a process expected to spark intense debate and possible attempts to amend contentious provisions.

Broad-Based Government (BBG) allied MPs are expected to marshal the numbers needed to secure passage of the legislation while opposition lawmakers have vowed to resist provisions they argue will increase the tax burden on Kenyans already grappling with a high cost of living.

On Wednesday evening, pro-government MPs and their opposition counterparts displayed their sharp divisions extending their disagreements to outside the chambers as both sides held separate press briefings on the proposed law.

This is after the Bill sailed through the second reading despite protests from opposition legislators who alleged among others that the Bill contains hidden taxes on mitumba clothing and mobile phones.

BBG legislators led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, mounted a spirited defence of the Bill, dismissing claims that it contains punitive taxes targeting Kenyans.

"This Bill is not imposing any taxation that may be harmful to Kenyans," Ichung'wah stated.

“There is no taxation on mitumba. Ignore any propaganda on the increase of taxes on mitumba," National Assembly Finance Committee Chairman Kimani Kuria added.

Kajiado North MP Onsemus Ngongoyo hit back saying; "It is true they want to zero-rate the issue of mitumba, but what they are not telling you is that the VAT that mitumba traders have been claiming is not there."

Thursday morning, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who leads the DCP party, asked his allies to vote against the Bill, describing the vote as a defining moment for the country.

"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 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.

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa added his voice to critics of the Bill, urging the legislators to reject or amend the Bill, arguing that it favours imported finished goods at the expense of local assembly companies.

It is a jobs destruction Bill. It is an industry-killing Bill. It is a Bill that punishes local assembly, rewards importation and threatens to render our youth jobless,” Thang’wa said in a statement.

Bumula MP Jack Wamboka hinted at a plot to stage a walk out from the chambers in protest. "William Ruto, it is enough. If they play the tricks they are playing, tukutane nje," Wamboka quipped.