Finance Committee Launches National Public Consultations on Key Economic Bills

The Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning of the National Assembly has initiated a week-long national public consultation exercise spanning 13 counties to gather public opinions on four crucial legislative proposals currently before the House. The proposed laws include the Finance Bill 2026, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, the Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill.
The initiative officially kicked off at Kiambu National Polytechnic in Kiambu Town, drawing hundreds of locals, professionals, entrepreneurs, farmers, youth representatives, and various stakeholders who convened to submit their feedback and suggestions regarding the proposed legislation.
Leading the committee is the Chairperson of the Finance and National Planning Committee and Ainamoi Member of Parliament, Benjamin Kipkirui, accompanied by committee members Shadrack Mwiti, Chiforomondo Mangale, George Risa, Umulkheir Kassim, and Gathoni Wamuchomba.
While addressing the attendees, Kipkirui highlighted the critical role of public input in crafting laws that will shape the nation’s economic trajectory.
“Today marks the inaugural day of our committee’s interaction with the public concerning four pivotal bills in Parliament. Our goal is to guarantee that citizens get a chance to comprehend the proposals and share their perspectives before the House reaches any resolutions,” he stated.
The chairman noted that the committee’s public consultation tour will proceed to counties such as Makueni, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Nairobi, Kajiado, Vihiga, Siaya, Nyamira, Bomet, and Mombasa, among others, prior to drafting a detailed report for parliamentary presentation.
A primary concern brought forward by Kipkirui was the extensive spread of false information on social media platforms concerning the provisions of the Finance Bill 2026.
He observed that numerous citizens had developed viewpoints based on misleading data and urged the public to confirm details straight from official records and consultation meetings.
The committee head referenced specific assertions that the Finance Bill intends to change land ownership laws and hike taxes on rental properties. He clarified that the legislation lacks any clauses pertaining to land ownership and that the rental income adjustments predominantly affect international investors instead of domestic landlords.
Kipkirui warned that social networks are increasingly serving as conduits for swift disinformation dissemination, thereby elevating the necessity for civic education.
He encouraged residents to participate in public consultation events rather than depending entirely on internet debates, noting that educated involvement would facilitate superior lawmaking and national progress.
Regardless of the importance of the debated bills, the committee members voiced worries regarding the somewhat low attendance observed in Kiambu.
Kipkirui disclosed that despite Kiambu County boasting a population of over one million, merely around 300 to 400 locals were present at the gathering.
He recognized the voluntary nature of public participation but stressed the necessity for enhanced civic consciousness and mobilization efforts by government officials and regional leaders.
The chairperson pointed out that civic education continues to be a hurdle owing to constrained resources, adding that a significant number of citizens still do not fully grasp parliamentary operations and the legislative process.
Nonetheless, he praised the people of Kiambu for directing their contributions specifically toward the pending bills, characterizing the interaction as one of the most knowledgeable public consultation exercises the committee has experienced.
Among the most comprehensive presentations was one from Kiambu local and High Court advocate Phyllis Wangui, who cautioned against measures that might raise the expenses associated with digital financial transactions.
Leveraging her background in the financial services industry, Wangui contended that imposing Value Added Tax on payment processing services could adversely impact the nation’s digital economy.
She referenced instances from nations like Tanzania, Ghana, and Uganda, where heightened taxes on digital transactions apparently caused an instant drop in the volume of transactions.
Wangui called upon legislators to thoroughly evaluate the enduring consequences of such taxes, cautioning that they might impede innovation, deter digital enterprise, and diminish the country’s standing as a regional pioneer in financial technology.
“Employment for the youth and the expansion of businesses rely more and more on digital platforms. We must be careful not to undo the progress the country has achieved in digital innovation,” she remarked.
The agricultural sector was a major focal point during the talks, with attendees voicing worries over the expenses of animal feed and various farming inputs.
Wangui questioned the suggested changes regarding the VAT status of raw materials for animal feed, asserting that agriculturalists are already burdened by elevated production expenses.
She appealed to the House to maintain the zero-rating on agricultural inputs to guarantee affordable prices for farmers, specifically those in the poultry and dairy sectors who are dealing with escalating operational costs.
Addressing these issues, Githunguri Representative Gathoni Wamuchomba stated that her interpretation of the proposal suggested that exempting, rather than zero-rating specific inputs, might decrease compliance expenses for manufacturers and eventually reduce the cost of animal feed.
Wamuchomba asserted that, being the representative of a farming-based region, she would oppose any policy that heightens financial burdens for agriculturalists.
Those in attendance also advocated for more robust incentives to back domestic investors and small enterprises.
Wamuchomba noted that although the Finance Bill includes measures designed to draw in foreign capital, it provides minimal relief for local business owners dealing with steep operational expenses.
She suggested focused tax breaks for small and medium-sized enterprises, especially within industries like petroleum, retail commerce, and manufacturing.
Entrepreneurs argued that decreasing compliance costs and easing regulatory loads would encourage capital investment, generate employment, and widen the nation’s tax base over time.
The suggested Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill sparked considerable discussion, especially among the youth and financial specialists present at the meeting.
Inquiries were made concerning governance frameworks, protections against political meddling, procedures for making investment choices, and the administration of savings intended for future generations.
Wamuchomba characterized the proposed fund as a possible milestone for the nation’s economy assuming it is executed proficiently.
She clarified that the fund would be composed of three sections: a Stabilization Fund, a Strategic Infrastructure Investment Fund, and a Future Generations Fund.
According to the legislator, income derived from natural resources, royalties, privatization returns, and other specified channels would be invested for the advantage of both present and upcoming generations.
She stressed that any withdrawals from the fund would be controlled under current public finance regulations to avert mismanagement and guarantee transparency.
Committee Chair Kipkirui added that the legislation aims to protect the fund from the pressures linked to the Consolidated Fund, enabling the assets to be safeguarded and reinvested for enduring national progress.
Representatives of the youth also took an active role in the dialogue.
Ian Ngumi, a youth figure and ex-student leader at KINAP, challenged proposals concerning duty-free limits for travelers and clauses granting expanded authority to the Kenya Revenue Authority to reclaim unpaid taxes via banks and employers.
Ngumi requested guarantees that public revenue gathered via taxes would be utilized in a transparent and efficient manner.
He additionally called for reinforced backing for the education sector, pointing out that numerous students are still having difficulty affording tuition fees during tough economic times.
As the event concluded, the committee representatives guaranteed the attendees that every submission would be recorded and factored in prior to parliamentary debates on the bills.
Kipkirui reaffirmed that public consultation is a constitutional mandate and a fundamental aspect of democratic administration.
He urged citizens nationwide to utilize the upcoming public consultation meetings to offer their opinions, stating that well-informed public involvement would aid in crafting laws that mirror the desires and goals of the populace.
The committee is slated to finish its countrywide listening tours in the forthcoming days before assembling a report that will steer parliamentary discussions on the Finance Bill 2026 and the other proposed laws.