Civil society groups have intensified pressure against the Finance Bill 2026, warning that some of the proposed tax measures could increase the cost of living and infringe on citizens’ privacy rights.
Under the umbrella of the Okoa Uchumi coalition, the organisations criticized several proposals contained in the Bill aimed at financing the government’s Ksh.4.8 trillion budget, describing them as punitive to ordinary Kenyans.
The coalition opposed plans to increase excise duty on mobile phones from 10 per cent to 25 per cent, arguing that the move would make digital services less affordable and negatively affect access to technology.
“When will we cut our cloth according to our size? Why are we living beyond our means? Kenya’s total public debt has hit Ksh.12.84 trillion, with domestic debt at Ksh.7.07 trillion,” said Diana Gichengo, Executive Director of The Institute for Social Accountability.
The groups also raised concerns over proposals seeking to give the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) broader access to personal data without consent from citizens.
According to the coalition, such provisions could expose Kenyans to abuse and weaken data privacy protections.
“An increase in excise duty on mobile phones will only make digital access more expensive for ordinary Kenyans and slow down financial and technological inclusion,” stated Cornelius Oduor, Deputy Executive Director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“The Draft Finance Bill contains dangerous amendments allowing KRA unchecked access to private data,” Okoa Uchumi CEO Sharon Sitati stated.
The coalition warned that it would seek legal action and organise protests if Parliament passes the Bill without making amendments to the contested clauses.
“We will go to court and return to the streets,” Gichengo noted.
At the same time, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) announced plans to formally submit objections to the Finance Bill on Monday, saying Kenyan workers are already carrying a heavy tax burden.
“Kenyans are already overtaxed,” FKE Executive Director Jacqueline Mugo said.
Debate over the Finance Bill 2026 continues to attract sharp reactions from different sectors as the government seeks additional revenue to support the proposed national budget for the next financial year.
