Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has reassured Kenyans that no decision has been made regarding increased taxation, following public concerns sparked by unverified reports on Monday, April 7.
Addressing senior government officials during a policy meeting, Mbadi clarified that the Finance Bill 2025 has not yet been drafted or submitted to the National Assembly. He emphasized that the Treasury is still in the process of collecting input from government agencies, industry players, and other stakeholders.
“We have not come up with a Finance Bill. There is nothing like taxing Kenyans more. Please don’t generate emotions for nothing,” Mbadi stated, urging the public to disregard speculative reports about potential tax hikes, including increases in Value Added Tax (VAT).
The Treasury CS affirmed that once the Bill is finalized, it will be accompanied by detailed public explanations to promote transparency and public understanding of each proposed tax measure.
“We will publish the Finance Bill, and we will provide an explainer, just like we did in December with the tax laws. If there’s any proposal from the National Treasury, we’ll ensure it’s clearly communicated in newspapers and official channels,” he explained.
The Finance Bill 2025, expected to be tabled in Parliament in the coming months, will outline proposed revenue-raising measures to fund the 2025/2026 national budget.
In recent years, Finance Bills under the Kenya Kwanza administration have faced stiff opposition from citizens and civil society groups, who argue that increased taxes have worsened the cost of living. Key among the controversial tax measures introduced was the Housing Levy, which sparked significant public debate.
While the details of the upcoming bill remain under wraps, Mbadi’s remarks suggest a more consultative and transparent approach moving forward.
