Faith Masita
President William Ruto has defended the Finance Bill 2026, insisting that the proposed legislation contains key measures aimed at supporting coffee farmers and reducing production costs in the agricultural sector.
Speaking during a meeting with coffee farmers in Kirinyaga County, the President said the Bill includes provisions designed to lower the cost of fertilizer and improve earnings for farmers, particularly those involved in coffee production.
He criticized lawmakers who opposed the legislation, arguing that some had dismissed the Bill without fully examining its contents.
According to the President, critics have focused on attacking the legislation instead of highlighting the measures intended to boost agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers.
Finance Bill Targets Lower Costs for Farmers.
Ruto maintained that the Bill contains reforms aimed at strengthening critical sectors of the economy, especially agriculture, which remains a key source of income for millions of Kenyans.
He expressed confidence that Kenyans would assess the legislation based on its actual provisions and potential benefits rather than political rhetoric surrounding the debate.
The Finance Bill 2026 was recently passed by the National Assembly after legislators removed several contentious tax proposals, including a 16 percent VAT on peer-to-peer mobile money transfers and a proposed 25 percent excise duty on mobile phones.
The Bill now awaits presidential assent before becoming law.
