Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa Faces Backlash Over Opposition to Finance Bill 2026

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa is being attacked for asking Members of Parliament (MPs) to oppose or amend the Finance Bill 2026, pontificating that it will cripple local producers, phone & e-bike assembling, and boda boda money.

In a press statement on June 18, 2026, Thang’wa called the bill “a job destruction Bill” and “an industry-killing Bill” that burdens the local assembly while encouraging importation.

He decried that the taxes proposed by the bill make it less costly to bring in completed products while increasing the cost for Kenyan enterprises to assemble locally.

“Why should a phone or e-bike assembled by Kenyan kids cost more than an imported finished product?” He demanded.

Senator Thang’wa’s Stand on Bill Sparks Populism Accusations and Calls for Concrete Solutions

Thang’wa called on Parliament to amend the bill to give safeguards to industries, employment, and youth, or throw it out if the “job-killing clauses” are not removed.

“As a Senator, I stand with the worker. I stand with local manufacturers. I stand with the boda boda rider. I stand with young Kenyans trying to earn an honest living,” he said.

The statement provoked fierce discussion online, and many accused the Senator of populism and not suggesting any solutions.

“The way you select one item and use it as a basis to reject it altogether, are you hearing yourself? Try to be fair… tomorrow you shall be in power, and it will be unfortunate if people use the single item to reject your manifesto.”
Denish Ochiel stated.

George Ogola challenged the assumption of the argument: Which phone is assembled here in Kenya and which company does it?”

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Budgetary Debate Intensifies: Karungo wa Thang’wa ,Public Scrutiny and Calls for Alternative Solutions

Others felt Thang’wa had contradicted himself.

Anthony kipchumba said, “if you had suggested to cut your salary and allowance by 50%, we could save and put it into this budget but turning it down without an alternative is not leadership.”

Caleb Odipo then commented: How do you protect the local assemblers without taxing the imported finished products? Do you tax the imported components but subsidise the finished products? Pick a lane.

“Now, go do your job in parliament sir. Stop lamenting and sounding helpless like an ordinary mwanachi. Let your voice be heard and make your vote count,” posted Azurihost.

Another user, Araapterigin, questioned the organization behind recent protests, writing: “Mr. MCA last demonstrations were sponsored, the sponsors this time round are broke and the bill has been well read by all. You should be in Ol Kalau that already looks complicated. The bill will pass with little noise, and your irrelevance will get clearer.”

The discussion also turned to the balance between protecting local industries and managing import costs.

“The same characters crying when taxes are imposed on imports suddenly oppose measures that make imports costlier? How exactly do you protect local assemblers without taxing imported finished goods? Tax components but subsidize imports? Pick a lane,” said Calebodipo.

Calls for accountability over lawmakers’ pay were also raised.

“If you had proposed to slash your salary and allowance by 50%, we could save and fund this budget rejecting without alternative is not any leadership,” posted @lagkipant.

The debate is still ongoing as different users keeps questioning and commenting on the budgetary debate.

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