Orengo to Ruto: Return Finance Bill 2026 to Parliament

Siaya Governor James Orengo has urged President William Ruto to reconsider assenting to the Finance Bill 2026, arguing that it was passed without the support of the majority of Members of Parliament.

Speaking to the media in Kisumu, Orengo thanked MPs who voted against the Bill, saying many legislators absented themselves from the House during the crucial vote.

"It must be remembered that the majority of Members of Parliament voted with their feet. They were not in the House when the vote was being taken," he said. 

According to the governor, the Finance Bill is a critical instrument for implementing government programmes and therefore requires full parliamentary participation and scrutiny.

He argued that if the MPs who skipped the vote were counted alongside those who opposed the Bill, it would be evident that a majority of legislators did not support the legislation.

 "It is unfortunate that the majority of Members of Parliament were not there during the vote," he said. 

Orengo particularly commended opposition-aligned MPs who opposed the Bill, saying they had taken into account public concerns over taxation and the economic burden facing Kenyans. 

The governor linked the debate around the Bill to the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, noting that lawmakers should reflect on the consequences of unpopular taxation measures. 

“Drawing parallels with the American Revolution's slogan of "no taxation without representation,” Orengo said, adding that parliament has a constitutional duty to fully participate in debates involving taxation and public expenditure.

He called on President Ruto to send the Bill back to Parliament for further deliberations. 

"Knowing what has happened and that the majority of members of parliament did not vote for the Finance Bill, the President should reconsider his decision”.

Orengo added, “He should probably send back the Bill to the House for proper debate and a proper position to be made by Parliament”.