Kenyans will not face additional taxes in the upcoming 2025/2026 financial year, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has affirmed. Speaking during an Economic Empowerment programme in Kitui South, Kindiki emphasized the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and accountability, promising better use of existing revenue and stringent action against tax evaders.
“We have decided that there will be no additional taxes. We must all tighten our belts, the Government included,” Kindiki said, highlighting the administration’s plan to avoid burdening citizens further.
The Deputy President assured Kenyans that the government will ensure taxpayers get value for their money through tangible development projects under the bottom-up economic model. These include improved roads, modern markets, affordable housing, and last-mile electricity connectivity.
To boost revenue collection without raising taxes, Kindiki announced a crackdown on tax evasion. “We will put in measures to seal all loopholes used by crooked people to evade paying taxes. We will be ruthless with those who aid tax evasion,” he stated.
His remarks come ahead of Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi’s presentation of the 2025/2026 budget at Parliament. The government plans to spend over Ksh.4.2 trillion, with funding expected to come from debt, revenue collection, grants, and fees.
CS Mbadi has also defended a controversial provision in the 2025 Finance Bill that seeks to amend the Tax Procedures Act. If approved, Section 59A(1B), which currently protects customers from being compelled to share personal data, will be deleted. This would allow the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) greater access to financial information from banks and institutions.
Mbadi clarified that the KRA is not interested in personal or private data but rather financial records necessary to verify tax returns. “There is nothing sinister. KRA only wants to confirm the accuracy of information submitted by taxpayers,” he said during a recent interview with Citizen TV.
With promises of no new taxes, the government now faces the challenge of proving its commitment to accountability and efficient public service delivery amid growing scrutiny over fiscal management.
