“Government was reminded of the need to always listen to the voices of our citizens,” Mbadi said.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI,Kenya June 11 – Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the government’s decision to leave tax rates unchanged and avoid introducing fresh levies in the 2026 Finance Bill, arguing that the move is aimed at shielding Kenyans from further economic strain.

Instead of imposing additional taxes, Mbadi said the government has concentrated on strengthening tax administration, improving compliance mechanisms and expanding the pool of taxpayers to boost revenue collection.

While presenting the 2026/27 Budget Statement in Parliament on Thursday, the Treasury boss said the proposals were shaped by widespread public participation over the past year and lessons learned from the fallout surrounding the 2024 Finance Bill.

📌 What You Need to Know

Mbadi said the government had adopted a people-centred approach in crafting the budget, placing the interests of ordinary Kenyans at the heart of its decisions.

“In preparing these proposals, I have been guided by the overriding principle of placing the well-being of the common mwananchi first. In this regard, I have deliberately chosen not to introduce new taxes or increase tax rates that would further overburden the hardworking Kenyans and their families,” he told lawmakers.

He noted that the focus has shifted to enhancing tax collection efficiency, promoting equity within the tax system and widening the revenue base without increasing the burden on compliant taxpayers.

The Cabinet Secretary linked the policy direction to the aftermath of the June 25, 2024 demonstrations, saying the events served as a reminder of the importance of citizen engagement in government decision-making.

“Government was reminded of the need to always listen to the voices of our citizens,” Mbadi said.

According to the CS, expanding the tax base remains a key strategy for generating additional revenue while easing pressure on the relatively small number of Kenyans who consistently meet their tax obligations.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya