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

[00:00:00]Now, few decisions made by Parliament have a more direct impact on your daily life than the finance bill.

[00:00:07]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.

[00:00:20]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 are gathered on Thursday night to make that decision, more than half of them were nowhere to be seen.

[00:00:38]Only 162 lawmakers participated in the vote that paved way for the finance bill of 2026 to move a step closer to becoming law.

[00:00:49]The outcome now leaves behind a question that is approving just as controversial as the bill itself. Where were the other of Parliament? NTV's David Mukoka reports.

[00:01:04]>> The Ayes, electronic vote 103, manual vote 19, total 122.

[00:01:15]The Nays, electronic vote 36, manual vote four, total 40.

[00:01:24]>> And with that declaration from National Assembly speaker Moses Wetangula on Thursday night, the Finance Bill 2026 sailed through the National Assembly and now awaits President William Ruto's signature.

[00:01:43]>> History will record that when a time was required to stand for country, you were there.

[00:01:50]>> 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 which I've seen in the past and they can now bear us witness and trust us and trust the process that we you will be listened to.

[00:02:10]>> 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.

[00:02:33]That means only 162 members took part in a vote that will affect millions of Kenyans.

[00:02:41]>> Order.

[00:02:42]>> Ordinarily, the National Assembly comprises 349 members. However, the current membership stands at 348 following the death of former Hon.

[00:02:54]Kalonzo MP David Njoguana Kiaraho.

[00:02:58]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.

[00:03:24]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 Rigathi Gachagua, 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.

[00:03:54]>> To me, an MP who decides not to vote is as bad as the one who's decided to vote yes.

[00:04:00]Because we voted them into represent us.

[00:04:04]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.

[00:04:13]>> Among the lawmakers who are absent from Thursday's proceedings for various reasons were Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, Ndia MP George Kariuki, Kisii Woman Representative Doris Donya, and Mara MP Kareke Mbiuki.

[00:04:32]Others included nominated MP Sabina Chege, Tinderet MP and Education Committee Chairperson Julius Melly, Thika Town MP and Social Protection Committee Chairperson Alice Ng'ang'a, Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.

[00:04:52]>> Kenyans earning below 30,000 shillings deserve a representative speaker, and especially in a situation where their pockets are raided from every direction.

[00:05:03]>> Nyoro'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.

[00:05:16]>> Unless you had legitimate reasons to not attend the session yesterday, there is no reason. There is no other reason. There is no other justification as to why you decided not to vote yesterday and not to show up in Parliament.

[00:05:29]>> Reacting to the events, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua stated, and I quote, "History will remember the 40 honorable members of the National Assembly who on Thursday 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 Ruto is very happy with you and shall reward you handsomely. In response to the low turnout, activist James Mulamba has proposed two measures aimed at ensuring lawmakers do not skip parliamentary sittings that directly affect ordinary Kenyans. The first here gives requires constitutional intervention.

[00:06:17]>> For any other bill, consequential bill like the amendment of the constitution, you need at least 1/3 of the members of National Assembly.

[00:06:28]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.

[00:06:39]You only need 50 MPs to vote on the finance bill.

[00:06:45]>> Just 50.

[00:06:46]>> So, [laughter] 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.

[00:06:59]Done and dusted.

[00:07:00]>> The second remedy, he says, lies with the voters themselves.

[00:07:06]>> You come in like a case of Was it Pilot washed his his aunt? By the way, that was the highest form of cowardice.

[00:07:15]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.

[00:07:24]You are [snorts] 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 is that only favors the executive and the government of the day. So, in my opinion, I think they should be sent home.

[00:07:39]>> David Mutsotso, NTV, Nairobi.