Parliament passes Finance Bill 2026 after third reading vote
By Emmanuel Rono, June 18, 2026The National Assembly has passed the Finance Bill 2026 after Members of Parliament voted in favour during the Third Reading on Thursday evening.
The Bill sailed through with 122 votes in support against 40 votes opposed, with no abstentions recorded.
According to the official tally by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, on June 18, 2026, the Ayes comprised 103 electronic votes and 19 manual votes, while the Nays comprised 36 electronic votes and 4 manual votes.
“The results of the vote are as follows: on the third reading of the finance bill, the ayes, electronic vote 103, manual vote 19, total 122. The nays, electronic vote 36, manual vote 4, total 40. Abstentions nil, so the results, the ayes have it,” Wetangula said.
Path to final voting
The final vote comes days after the government leaders have defended the Finance Bill 2026 and accused critics of spreading misinformation.
Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has always insisted that the bill does not introduce harmful taxation measures.
“This Bill is not imposing any taxation that may be harmful to Kenyans,” Ichung’wah said in Parliament.
Finance Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani also rejected claims that the bill imposes new taxes on mitumba traders and mobile phone users.
According to the Finance Committee, Parliament received more than 100,000 submissions during public participation conducted across 13 counties.
Opposition leaders on rejecting the bill
The opposition leaders, led by Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, earlier intensified pressure on Members of Parliament on the vote on the bill, describing the debate as a defining political moment for Kenya.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Gachagua urged MPs allied to his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) to reject the bill and remain in the National Assembly during voting to force a formal division vote.
“Today’s vote at the National Assembly for or against the 2026 Finance Bill is a defining moment for the people of the Republic of Kenya,” Gachagua stated.
“At the end of the day, the people of Kenya will know whether their elected representative supports measures that oppress them more or cares for them.”
Wiper Partiotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had told the legislators that they were elected to represent the interests of wananchi rather than act as a rubber stamp for government proposals.
“Make no mistake: history will record your vote, and in 425 days, just like the current regime, the people will have made a record of the choice you made and make it plain at the ballot paper box on August 10th next year,” Kalonzo said.