Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula has cleared the air over reports claiming that the upcoming Finance Bill 2025 contains proposals to tax trees, goats, and cows.

Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Wetang’ula assured the House and the public that no such bill has been introduced or approved for debate.

He emphasized that while there had been rumors circulating in the media and on social platforms, no official document containing such proposals had reached the National Assembly.

“There is no Finance Bill that the Speaker has approved to come to this House. What was publicized is that there is a Finance Bill taxing trees, taxing all manner of things, taxing goats, taxing cows. We know very well there is no such bill before this House,” Wetang’ula stated.

The Speaker’s clarification was prompted by a request from Kuria Kimani, the Chairperson of the National Assembly Finance Committee, who had asked him to address the matter publicly.

New tax measures

Kimani, who is also the MP for Molo, had earlier spoken to a local media outlet about the possibility of new tax measures in the upcoming Finance Bill. He said the government is evaluating whether current revenues and support will be enough to finance the 2025/2026 national budget.

He explained that depending on revenue performance and donor contributions, the government might be forced to increase taxes to cover any shortfall. However, he stressed that additional taxes would only be considered if necessary.

“Between now and June, the Finance Committee will evaluate whether money from revenue collection, appropriation, and aid will be sufficient to meet the higher ceiling. If that will not be sufficient to fund the budget, that is when there will be additional tax measures to raise more revenue,” Kimani said.

He also pointed out that the decision will be based on clear evidence.

“If there is empirical evidence to show that the already existing tax measures, appropriations, and donor commitments are enough to finance these ceilings, there will not be a need,” he added.