Lobby groups reject ‘punitive’ Finance Bill 2026, threaten protests and legal action

The measures contained in the Finance Bill, 2026 to finance the Ksh.4.8 trillion budget continue to spark debate across the country.

Civil society coalition Okoa Uchumi has raised concerns over the Finance Bill 2026, terming it punitive.

The group is calling on Kenyans to reject the Bill, saying the proposed taxes, including an increase in excise duty on mobile phones, would worsen the burden on citizens.

Okoa Uchumi also opposed proposals to grant the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) powers to access citizens’ personal data without consent.

“When will we cut our cloth according to our size? Why are we living beyond our means? Kenya’s total public debt has hit Ksh.12.84 trillion, with domestic debt at Ksh.7.07 trillion,” said The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA) Executive Director Diana Gichengo.

The group further opposed the proposal to raise excise duty on mobile phones from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, arguing that it would undermine digital access.

“An increase in excise duty on mobile phones will only make digital access more expensive for ordinary Kenyans and slow down financial and technological inclusion,” stated Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) Deputy Executive Director Cornelius Oduor.

The coalition also faulted provisions allowing KRA access to citizens’ private data.

“The Draft Finance Bill contains dangerous amendments allowing KRA unchecked access to private data,” Okoa Uchumi CEO Sharon Sitati stated.

The lobby groups warned that they would pursue legal action and protests if Parliament fails to amend the proposals.

“We will go to court and return to the streets,” Gichengo noted.

The Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) has also announced it will file its objections on Monday, saying workers are already overtaxed.

“Kenyans are already overtaxed,” FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo said.