Kumbe the Treasury just realized Kenyans are not amused—so sasa they're out here explaining why your PAYE relief is not coming anytime soon, aki. After months of promises to exempt low earners and slash tax rates, the Finance Bill 2026 landed in Parliament without a single shilling of relief, and bro, the backlash has been REAL.

The Promises That Vanished Faster Than Your Salary

Ndio, here's the tea: Earlier this year, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi came out guns blazing, promising to exempt anyone earning below Ksh30,000 from PAYE altogether. President William Ruto himself jumped in and announced plans to reduce tax rates for workers earning up to Ksh50,000 from 30% down to 25%. Salaried workers were literally counting down the days, bana—finally, some breathing room from the endless deductions eating their paycheck.

But then—plot twist—the Finance Bill dropped in Parliament and there was nothing. Zero. Nada. No PAYE restructuring, no lower tax bands, just crickets. Lawyers, economists, and everyday workers called out the government for backtracking, with former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo leading the charge questioning where all those promises went.

Treasury's Big Brain Move: Blame the Informal Sector

So how does Treasury respond to the uproar? Sawa, they're saying it's actually genius strategy, not a betrayal. According to them, they're pursuing "inclusive tax reform" by targeting sectors that have been dodging taxes for years—digital services, informal trade, corporate tax structures. Their argument? By spreading the tax burden more fairly across ALL sectors, eventually they'll ease pressure on salaried workers.

The statement said it's all about widening the tax base rather than just squeezing salaried employees like a lemon. Lakini here's the thing—workers are still bleeding right now. Between PAYE, NSSF, the 2.75% SHA levy, and the 1.5% Housing Levy, many employees are taking home half of what they should. While Treasury plays the long game, your bank account is suffering.

Still Time to Cry for Help

What's interesting is Treasury's insistence that public participation on the Finance Bill is "still ongoing" and tax policy is "dynamic and responsive." Translation: if Kenyans keep making noise, maybe—just maybe—something shifts. The Kenya Bankers Association already proposed raising the minimum taxable income to Ksh30,000 while lowering rates across PAYE bands. The pressure is building, and it's not going away.

The Jukwaa Take: Treasury's playing checkers while salaried Kenyans are losing at chess—nice words about "long-term strategy" don't fill stomachs or fix bank accounts TODAY, si uone?

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke