President William Ruto/PCS
President William Ruto has applauded Members of Parliament who supported the Finance Bill 2026, describing their decision as a demonstration of leadership, patriotism, and commitment to safeguarding the country’s economic stability.
Speaking during the funeral service of Mama Zipporah Kosgey in Nandi County, the President said lawmakers who backed the Bill had stood firm in the face of what he termed as misinformation, propaganda, and divisive political narratives.
“History will record that when a time was required to stand for the country, you were there. You stood firm for the interests of Kenya and refused to be swayed by propaganda, falsehoods and divisive politics,” Ruto said.
The Head of State defended the legislative process that led to the passage of the Finance Bill 2026.
He argued that critics had failed to point out specific clauses that were harmful to Kenyans, challenging opponents of the Bill to back their claims with clear evidence.
“For the first time they were asked in Parliament if there were specific clauses which are affecting Kenyans in a specific way; show us which clause. They were unable to because they are deceitful,” he added.
Ruto’s remarks come in the wake of a closely watched parliamentary vote on the Finance Bill 2026, which shapes the country’s taxation framework and revenue collection policies for the upcoming financial year.
In the National Assembly, 162 MPs participated in the final vote at the Third Reading stage out of a House comprising 349 elected and nominated members.
Of those who voted, 122 supported the Bill while 40 opposed it.
The numbers mean that only about 46.4 per cent of MPs took part in the decisive vote, with 187 Members of Parliament either absent or not casting a vote during the session.
The turnout has since drawn widespread debate, given the significance of the legislation in determining government revenue and public spending priorities.
Despite the relatively low participation, the Bill’s passage marks a key victory for the Kenya Kwanza administration, which has defended the fiscal proposals as necessary for revenue mobilisation and funding of national development programmes.
The President used the opportunity to urge Kenyans to be vigilant in political discourse, warning against being misled by leaders spreading falsehoods and tribal rhetoric.
He called on citizens to interrogate claims made by political leaders and demand factual evidence in public debates.
Ruto further linked the Finance Bill debate to broader national unity, urging leaders and citizens alike to prioritise stability over divisive politics.
He maintained that Parliament had acted in the national interest by approving the Bill, insisting that those who supported it had demonstrated courage in making difficult but necessary decisions for the country’s economic direction.
