Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has warned Members of Parliament allied to the Linda Mwananchi movement that they risk expulsion from the outfit if they support the Finance Bill 2026 in Parliament.

Speaking on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at AIC Kyanda Church ahead of the highly anticipated Linda Mwananchi rally in Machakos, Osotsi said the movement had taken a firm stand against the Finance Bill, which opposition leaders have heavily criticised as punitive to ordinary Kenyans.

Addressing congregants and supporters, Osotsi said that leaders within the movement had already agreed that all lawmakers associated with Linda Mwananchi must reject the bill when it comes to a vote in the National Assembly.

“Wenzangu wameongea kuhusu Finance Bill, wameeleza vile Finance Bill ni mbaya, vile Finance Bill ni sumu, lakini mimi sitaenda kwa hiyo,” Osotsi said.

“I have a responsibility ambayo wakubwa wa Linda Mwananchi wamenipea. Ya kwanza, kama wewe unajua you are a member of the National Assembly na uko Linda Mwananchi, kura yako ni No kwa finance bill.”

The senator further warned that any legislator who votes in support of the proposed law would face disciplinary action from the movement.

“Kama uko kwa Linda Mwananchi na utapiga yes, we will expel you from Linda Mwananchi,” he declared.

Pressure mounts ahead of Finance Bill debate

Osotsi’s remarks come amid mounting political tension ahead of debate and voting on the Finance Bill 2026, which has already sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders, civil society groups, and sections of the public.

Critics argue that the bill introduces additional taxes and levies at a time when many Kenyans are struggling with the high cost of living, unemployment, and a slowing economy.

The government, however, maintains that the proposed measures are necessary to increase revenue collection and support development programmes while reducing dependence on borrowing.

COTU warning

The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) has also raised concerns over the Finance Bill 2026, accusing the government of overburdening workers through taxation while proposing provisions that could grant the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) excessive powers over taxpayers.

In its submission to Parliament on the Finance Bill, COTU Advisory Board member Barasa Adams criticised the government for failing to introduce meaningful Pay As You Earn (PAYE) reliefs despite repeated acknowledgement that Kenyan workers are struggling with a shrinking disposable income and rising cost of living.

“The state can no longer rely on an exhausted workforce to sustain the economy through aggressive taxation,” Adams stated in the submission.

The union argued that salaried Kenyans, particularly low- and middle-income earners, continue to shoulder the heaviest tax burden despite growing inflationary pressure and stagnant household incomes.