The National Treasury has moved to calm growing public concern over the controversial tax proposals in the Finance Bill, 2026. In a press release issued on May 25, 2026, the Treasury said public debate around the Bill had mixed current proposals with withdrawn measures from previous finance laws, especially the rejected Finance Bill, 2024. “The
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has dismissed claims that the proposed Finance Bill 2026 will make bottled water more expensive, insisting instead that the government is removing taxes to lower prices and encourage investment in the sector. Speaking while defending the proposed tax measures and revenue projections, Mbadi termed reports suggesting bottled water
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has recommended scrapping all phone taxes and instead introducing a 25 percent excise duty tax in comprehensive proposed changes in the Finance Bill 2026. The excess tax on phones, Mbadi said, is currently at 10 percent, but this will be increased as a move to restructure taxes and