Finance Bill 2026: Salasya says DCP pressure forced UDA Mt Kenya MPs to skip crucial vote
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 19, 2026Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has claimed that the growing influence of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) played a major role in the low turnout witnessed during the National Assembly vote on the Finance Bill 2026.
Speaking on the contentious vote on his X post on Friday, June 19, 2026, Salasya has noted that mounting public pressure generated by DCP’s grassroots mobilisation campaign left many MPs, particularly from the Mt Kenya region, unwilling to publicly take a position on the bill.
“Yesterday, Parliament voted on one of the most critical pieces of legislation in this session — the Finance Bill 2026. Only 162 of us managed to cast our votes on this bill,” Salasya noted.
The legislator noted that only 162 MPs participated in the vote despite the Finance Bill being one of the most important pieces of legislation considered by Parliament this year. He singled out lawmakers from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying a significant number chose to stay away from the House rather than risk political fallout from their constituents.
According to Salasya, the opposition wave associated with DCP has fundamentally altered the political calculations of elected leaders, making support for government-backed tax measures increasingly difficult to defend before voters.
“Notably, the majority of absentees came from the Mt Kenya region, particularly MPs from the UDA party. Their conspicuous absence speaks volumes,” he said.
Salasya credited DCP’s “Skiza Ground” campaign slogan with energising public opposition to the Finance Bill and increasing scrutiny on MPs ahead of the vote. He argued that the movement has become a powerful political force capable of influencing legislative decisions and shaping lawmakers’ behaviour.
“The skiza ground driven by the powerful DCP slogan has shaken the status quo. Some UDA representatives from the region chose to stay away rather than face the music,” he added.
Gachagua’s warning
Before the voting, former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua said the outcome of the vote on the Finance Bill 2026 will significantly influence political fortunes ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during a media interview in Kitale Town, Trans Nzoia County, on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Gachagua urged Members of Parliament allied to his party to be present in the National Assembly and participate in a physical vote on the contentious bill.
According to Gachagua, a recorded vote would allow Kenyans to clearly identify lawmakers who support or oppose the Finance Bill 2026, which has generated widespread public debate over its proposed tax and revenue measures.
“Today, we have the Finance Bill 2026 before the National Assembly. I have directed Members of Parliament aligned to our party to be present in Parliament so that there can be a physical vote, so that Kenyans can know who has voted for the Finance Bill and who has voted against it,” Gachagua said.