Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has criticised the Budget Estimates and Finance Bill 2026/07, saying they do not reflect the will and aspirations of Kenyans.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua argued that strong nations and resilient economies are built on strategic and visionary leadership, disciplined governance, industrialisation, institutional stability and a shared national purpose.
He said that when these pillars are absent, countries risk economic decline and weakened public trust in leadership.
“Great nations and great economies are built through strategic and visionary leadership, intentional production, ethical and disciplined leadership, institutional stability, industrialisation and a collective national purpose,” he said.
The former Deputy President warned that Kenya’s current fiscal direction is increasingly disconnected from public expectations, insisting that the Budget Estimates and Finance Bill 2026/07 fail to capture the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.
“The Budget Estimates and Finance Bill 2026/07 do not reflect the will and aspirations of the people of Kenya,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks come amid renewed political debate over taxation and public spending, with opposition leaders and civil society groups raising concerns over the cost of living and the structure of government revenue proposals.
Kenya has a history of public demonstrations linked to budget and finance legislation. In recent years, Finance Bills introducing new or increased taxes have triggered nationwide protests, with citizens taking to the streets to oppose higher taxes on fuel, basic commodities, and digital services. The 2024 Finance Bill protests, in particular, saw large-scale youth-led demonstrations across major towns, forcing Parliament to reconsider and amend parts of the proposed tax measures after sustained public pressure.
Similar patterns have been observed in earlier budget cycles, where civil society organisations, labour groups, and opposition politicians mobilised public participation forums and street protests to demand the withdrawal or revision of unpopular fiscal proposals.
Gachagua’s statement is likely to add momentum to ongoing scrutiny of the 2026/07 budget framework, which is currently under review through parliamentary public participation hearings.
The Treasury, however, maintains that the proposed budget is designed to stabilise the economy, improve revenue collection, and support development priorities.
Public participation on the Finance Bill continues, with Parliament collecting views ahead of further debate in the National Assembly.
