Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi faced an angry crowd at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi on May 26 as he tried to explain the Finance Bill 2026 to members of Bunge La Mwananchi. Residents interrupted his presentation and forced him to cut short his remarks amid growing frustration over taxes and living costs, turning what was meant to be a calm public forum into a tense standoff that captured attention across Kenya.
The scene unfolded under the afternoon sun in the heart of Nairobi. Mbadi, accompanied by a few officials, stepped into the open-air gathering where traders, boda boda riders, students, and activists had assembled. Many came hungry for straight answers after weeks of rumours about new burdens in the bill. Instead of the smooth briefing he planned, shouts rose quickly from the crowd.
Tension Builds as Mbadi Defends the Bill
People at the forum did not hold back. They pressed him hard on everyday struggles like fuel prices, money transfers, and the fear that small earnings would shrink even more. Mbadi stood his ground, explaining that the government aimed to broaden the tax base so those already paying would not carry the whole load.
“We cannot be a welfare nation because we do not have the economic muscle to be one,” he told the gathering. He pointed to efforts to stabilise the economy without piling on extra taxes, noting that the bill focused on fairness and better collection rather than sudden hikes.
Yet the mood stayed heated. Attendees from Bunge La Mwananchi, known for their outspoken style, cut him off at points. Some raised voices demanding to know how the proposals would help a mother feeding her family or a young man running a small side hustle.
The back and forth grew louder until the session could not continue as planned. Mbadi eventually wrapped up and left the gardens under the watch of security as the crowd pressed forward.
Public Anger Over Cost of Living and Past Protests
Memories of 2024 still hang heavy. Many at Jeevanjee remembered how last year’s finance bill sparked deadly street protests before it was withdrawn completely. This time around, scepticism runs deep. Residents worry that even without brand new tax rates, hidden measures could raise the price of phone airtime, animal feeds, or daily rides across the city.
One man in the crowd, a trader who sells second-hand clothes nearby, spoke plainly. “We read what is written, but we also see what it means when we go home with less in our pockets.”
Mbadi pushed back against what he called misinformation. In his speech to the group, he said some opponents were twisting facts for political points. “I have noticed that some people are saying the Bill is bad, but what they are saying is what should have been in the Bill, not what is in the Bill and is bad.” He urged everyone to submit formal views before the deadline so changes could still happen.
What Happens Next With the Finance Bill 2026
The bill, tabled earlier in May, seeks to help fund the coming financial year without repeating past mistakes. Officials say it simplifies rules and targets those who can pay more, including through better tracking of certain digital transactions. No fresh charges on M-Pesa transfers, they insist, and some earlier ideas that caused uproar have already been dropped.
Still, manufacturers and business groups warn of possible job losses if costs rise too much. At Jeevanjee, the mix of boda riders in dusty vests, young activists with notebooks, and older residents fanning themselves in the heat painted a clear picture of a country feeling the pinch.
Esther Passaris and a few other leaders joined Mbadi for parts of the forum, adding their voices to calm things down. Yet the interruptions showed how raw the conversation remains.
Bunge La Mwananchi organisers had invited him precisely because they wanted direct talk, but the exchange revealed just how divided opinions are.