“2026 Finance Bill Is The 2024 Finance Bill!” – Karua Says
Martha Karua, the leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), has accused the government of covertly incorporating sections from the rejected Finance Bill 2024 into the new Finance Bill 2026.
During an interview on Wednesday, June 3, Karua stated that the draft law has the same punitive measures that Kenyans have previously rejected.
She emphasized that it disproportionately affects ordinary individuals, particularly the most vulnerable groups.
“The same measures rejected by the Gen Z and which caused the death and injuries of so many, are the same thing they are returning through the back door,” she said.
Martha Karua: The Finance Bill 2026/27 is a replica of the 2024 Finance Bill. It contains the same punitive measures that Kenyans rejected and threatens to impose the same economic hardships on citizens and businesses.
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Producer: @EverlyneMungai… pic.twitter.com/XVet4PBRo3— SpiceFM (@SpiceFMKE) June 3, 2026
Karua criticized the administration for prioritizing luxury spending, noting an increase in the Office of the President’s budget as an example.
She claimed that while citizens suffer the cost of taxation, those in authority continue to seek increased allocations.
She also highlighted provisions in the bill relating to digital service taxes, including mobile money and digital platforms.
Karua insisted that these measures would ultimately be passed on to consumers, increasing the cost of everyday transactions.
Martha Karua: Defunding health and education while increasing the State House budget is a clear case of misplaced priorities. Essential services that benefit millions are being sacrificed, while government travel, luxury expenses, and other non-essential expenditures remain… pic.twitter.com/NgpkBUi3JO— SpiceFM (@SpiceFMKE) June 3, 2026
“This Finance Bill is the 2024 Finance Bill. It carries exactly the same punitive measures, but because they do not want to openly say they are taxing people in the digital space, they are introducing taxes that ultimately fall back on the users,” Karua said.
“If you tax service providers, the cost will be passed on to the same people using the service, the same applies to mobile money taxation.”
Her comments come as the bill faces scrutiny from the public and opposition leaders despite the government’s efforts to defend the bill.
The government has maintained that it seeks to increase and streamline revenue collection by addressing gaps in taxation, particularly in the digital and emerging sectors.
Martha Karua :The government has become so deaf to the concerns of its people that even when citizens protest and plead, ‘Do not do this to us,’ their voices are ignored. Instead of listening, state agencies are often accused of exceeding their lawful mandate, resulting in… pic.twitter.com/bRdI5ao0AZ— SpiceFM (@SpiceFMKE) June 3, 2026
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has publicly addressed several claims circulating online about new taxes on cryptocurrency, bread, digital content creators, mobile money and vehicle circulation.
He clarified that the bill does not introduce new taxes in these areas.
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Comparing the 2024 and 2026 bills, both aim to raise revenue through measures affecting digital and financial transactions, proposals which Karua noted led to public protests and widespread opposition.
The Finance Bill 2026 is currently under parliamentary review, with the Finance and National Planning Committee preparing its report.
This is after receiving input from more than 200 entities during a two-week stakeholder forum, as well as up to 100,000 written submissions from members of the public.
Public hearings have also been scheduled across all 47 counties and began on June 2 in Kiambu, Wajir, and Vihiga.
Once the committee submits its recommendations, the bill will proceed to the Second Reading debate in the National Assembly.
“2026 Finance Bill Is The 2024 Finance Bill!” – Karua Says
