Where were they? 186 MPs missed the Finance Bill 2026 vote

 

Now, few decisions are made by Parliament have a more direct impact on your daily life than the finance bill.

It's a piece of legislation that ultimately determines how much tax you pay, what goods become more expensive,

and how much money the government can raise from taxpayers over the next year.

That is why the final vote on the finance bill is widely regarded as one of the most important moments on

Parliament's calendar. Yet when MPs gathered on Thursday night to make that decision, more than half of them were

nowhere to be seen. Only 162 lawmakers participated in the vote that paved way

for the finance bill of 2026 to move a step closer to becoming law. The outcome now leaves behind a question that is

proving just as controversial as the bill itself. Where were the other

186 members of parliament? NV's David Mudoka reports.

The eyes electronic vote 103, manual vote 19, total 122.

The N electronic vote 36, manual vote 4, total 40. And with that

declaration from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wangula on Thursday night, the finance bill 2026

sailed through the National Assembly and now awaits President William R's signature.

History will record that when a time was required to stand for country, you were there. But let me finally thank the

people of Kenya because they have been patient with us. They have allowed us to go through the motions of legislation or

the legislative process without the interruptions we have seen in the past and they can now bear witness and trust

us and trust the process that we you will be listened to. While much of the public debate prior to the vote focused

on the contents of the bill and its impact on taxpayers, attention is now shifting to the turnout inside the House

itself. According to figures announced by the speaker, 122 MPs voted in favor of the bill while

40 voted against it. That means only 162 members took part in a vote that will affect millions of Kenyans.

Order.

Ordinarily, the National Assembly comprises 349 members. However, the

current membership stands at 348 following the death of former Onalo MP

David Kaho. Subtract the 162 MPs who participated in Thursday's vote and the

result is 186 lawmakers who failed to take part in one of the most important

parliamentary decisions of the year. In other words, more than half of Kenya's elected representatives were absent from

one of the most consequential decisions of the year. The contrast becomes even sharper when viewed against another

defining parliamentary moment in October 2024 when MPs voted on the impeachment of former deputy president Riad

Gashagwa. The house was nearly full. A total of 326 MPs participated in that

vote. Of those 281 supported the impeachment, 44 opposed it

while one member abstained. To me, an MP who decides not to vote is as bad as the

one who's decided to vote yes because we voted them in to represent us. And part of representing us is not making noise.

It's not yapping and it's not trying to lecture us. It is making a decision.

Among the lawmakers who are absent from Thursday's proceedings for various reasons were caps MP Oscar Sudi, Maragua

MP Mary Wawa, NIA MP George Kyuki, Kiwoman Representative Doris Dona and Mara MP Kimuki.

Others included nominated MP Sabina Age, Tinderet MP and education committee

chairperson Julius Mele, Thica Town MP and social protection committee chairperson Alisanga, Kimlei MP Das

Barasa and Kiharu MP Doro. Kenyans earning below 30,000 shillings deserves

a reply vulnerable speaker and especially in a situation where their pockets are rated from every direction.

5:035 minutes, 3 secondsNuro's absence drew particular attention given his outspoken opposition to the bill. NTV has since established that he

had traveled out of the country before the vote took place. Unless you had leg legitimate reasons to not attend the

session yesterday, there is no reason there is no other reason. There's no other justification as to why you decided not to vote yesterday and not to

show up in parliament. Reacting to the events, former deputy president Gashagwa stated, and I quote, "History will

remember the 40 honorable members of the National Assembly who on those day stood with the people of Kenya. For those who

voted yes to oppress the people who elected them, as well as those who deliberately kept off when it mattered

most, I am sure Mr. William R is very happy with you and shall reward you handsomely. In response to the law

turnout, activist James Mula has proposed two measures aimed at ensuring lawmakers do not skip parliamentary

seatings that directly affect ordinary Kenyans. The first he argues requires constitutional intervention.

For any other bill, consequential bill like the amendment of the constitution, you need at least onethird of the members of national assembly.

But for bills like the finance bill which are not considered consequential in our constitution and that needs to change by the way the threshold and the

quorum is at 50 MPs. You only need 50 MPs to vote on the finance bill.

Just 50. [laughter] So if 50 attended, 51 attended yesterday's session and 30

voted for the finance bill and 21 voted against the finance bill. That would be law. That would be it done and dusted.

The second remedy he says lies with the voters themselves.

Was it pilot washed his his hands? By the way, that was the highest form of cowardice.

As an MP, as a leader, as a representative, it is incumbent on you to make a decision when it matters most. You cannot abstain. You cannot walk away.

You [snorts] are as guilty as the one who voted yes. You are as guilty as the one who decided to vote against the people and vote for a bill that only

favors the executive and the government of the day. So in my opinion, I think they should be sent home.

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