Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has sparked a political storm after launching a fierce attack on Members of Parliament (MPs) who voted against the Finance Bill 2026.

Cherargei, in a statement shared via his official X account on Friday, June 19, 2026, described the lawmakers who rejected the bill as “traitors, betrayers, cowards and saboteurs of national development”.

Cherargei further defended the passage of the controversial Finance Bill, insisting that the legislation was a patriotic obligation aimed at strengthening Kenya’s revenue base and supporting national development priorities.

He argued that MPs who opposed the Bill did so without adequate understanding of its contents, accusing them of failing to properly read or interrogate the proposals before taking a public stand against them.

“The raising of National revenue through passage of the Finance Bill 2026 is a patriotic duty, and the members of National Assembly who voted AGAINST the bill are traitors, betrayers, cowards and sabotuers of National development. It’s embarrassing that these MNAs didn’t not even read Finance Bill 2026 and they opposed it ignorantly,” Cherargei wrote on X.

Finance Bill 2026 vote

The Finance Bill 2026 was ultimately passed by the National Assembly on Thursday, June 18, 2026, after a division vote in which 122 MPs supported the legislation while 40 voted against it, setting the stage for one of the most politically significant parliamentary contests of the year.

The Bill’s passage followed weeks of intense debate, public participation forums, committee scrutiny, and pressure from both supporters and opponents of the proposed tax measures.

The MPs who voted against the Finance Bill 2026 include Wakili Edward Muriu (Gatanga Constituency), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Thaddeus Nzambia (Kilome Constituency), Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti Constituency), George Mukunji (Manyata), Stephen Mule (Matungulu), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga County), and Onesmus Ngogoyo, Kajiado North.

Other are Mohammed Ali (Nyali), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu Constituency), Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha Constituency), Robert Mbui (Kathiiani Constituency), Kivasu Nzioka (Mbooni Constituency), Chege Njuguna (Kandara), Dan Mwashako (Wundanyi Constituency), Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Edith Nyenze (Kitui West), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), and Paul Nzengu (Mwingi North).

Mejja Donk Gathiru (Embakasi Central), Irene Kasalu (Kitui County), John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Bony Mwalika (Kitui Rural), Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Musili Mawathe (Embakasi South), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Jack Wamboka (Bumula), Susan Kiamba (Makueni Constituency), Obadia Barongo (Bomachoge Borabu), Joyce Kamene (Machakos County), and Antony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South) also voted against the Finance Bill 2026.

Others are Augustine Mwafrika (Roysambu), Caleb Hamisi (Saboti), Patrick Makau (Mavoko Constituency), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gedion Mulyungi (Mwingi Central), and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula).

Cherargei defends the government’s position

Senator Cherargei has emerged as one of the most vocal defenders of the Finance Bill, aligning himself with the government’s position that revenue collection reforms are essential for economic stability.

He insisted that raising national revenue through the Finance Bill is a patriotic duty for all legislators, warning that opposition to the Bill undermines national development efforts.

His remarks also appeared to signal growing frustration within pro-government ranks over resistance from opposition-aligned MPs and dissenting voices within Parliament.

“The united opposition MNAs need to up their game as they prepare to oversight President Ruto administration for the next 6 years to come,” Cherargei claimed.

Orengo praises MPs who rejected the Finance Bill 2026

Siaya Governor James Orengo has, however, praised the MPs who voted against the Finance Bill 2026.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, June 19, 2026, Orengo described the lawmakers who rejected the bill as courageous leaders who stood with ordinary Kenyans despite mounting political pressure.

Orengo singled out lawmakers aligned with the Linda Mwananchi movement, thanking them for rejecting the Bill and defending the interests of citizens.

“Thank you to the MPs who said no to the Finance Bill. Linda Mwananchi team, we are proud of you,” Orengo said.