A fresh political battle over the Finance Bill 2026 is taking shape after former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua announced plans to unveil an alternative budget proposal and rally Kenyans against the government’s tax measures.
Gachagua, who has been one of the most vocal critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration since falling out with President William Ruto’s camp, said his party would present its own budget proposals on Thursday. He argued that the Finance Bill 2026 does not reflect the needs of ordinary Kenyans and should be rejected by both the public and lawmakers.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Gachagua said the DCP would provide a detailed breakdown of its proposals while also highlighting areas in the Finance Bill that it believes are harmful to citizens. He maintained that MPs should listen to the concerns being raised by Kenyans before deciding on the legislation.
“I will issue budget proposals for the DCP Party tomorrow, and I will speak on the Finance Bill, and the reasons why Kenyans should reject it, and MPs should also reject it,” Gacchagua stated.
The former Deputy President also cautioned that if Parliament ignores public objections and passes the bill, citizens could resort to demonstrations. He claimed there were plans to use police officers to interfere with any protests that may arise over the proposed law.
Finance Bill, 2026
His comments come as the Finance Bill 2026 continues to generate heated debate across the country. The proposed legislation is expected to introduce several tax and revenue measures aimed at helping the government fund its budget and reduce the fiscal deficit. However, like previous finance bills, it has attracted scrutiny from Kenyans concerned about rising living costs, unemployment and the state of the economy.
The Finance Bill is a crucial part of the budget-making process. Once tabled in Parliament, lawmakers review the proposals and collect views from members of the public before making amendments and voting on the final document. The process often attracts strong reactions because any changes to taxes directly affect households, businesses and investors.
As discussions intensify, Parliament has invited Kenyans to participate in the review process. The National Assembly is currently considering three major bills that could significantly influence the country’s financial management systems, public spending and revenue collection mechanisms.
In a notice issued on May 31, Parliament announced that the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning would conduct public hearings between June 2 and June 8, 2026. The hearings are running alongside the review of the Finance Bill 2026 and are intended to allow citizens to present their views before lawmakers finalise the legislation.
According to Parliament, feedback collected during the public participation exercise will help guide amendments to the bills before they proceed to the second reading stage. The institution has encouraged individuals, businesses, professional bodies, civil society groups and other stakeholders to submit their proposals.
The debate surrounding the Finance Bill comes almost two years after widespread anti-tax protests shook the country and forced the government to reconsider several proposals. Since then, taxation has remained one of the most sensitive political issues in Kenya, with many citizens demanding greater accountability in public spending before additional taxes are introduced.
With Gachagua now positioning his party as an alternative voice on economic matters, his upcoming budget proposal is expected to add another layer to the ongoing national conversation. Political observers will be watching closely to see whether the DCP’s recommendations gain support among lawmakers and Kenyans seeking different solutions to the country’s economic challenges.
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