Skip to main content

FINANCE COMMITTEE TAKES TAX BILL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DRIVE TO WAJIR

Residents Urge Lawmakers to Shield Kenyans from Rising Cost of Living as Parliament Reviews Key Economic Bills


By Ahmed Salat Ali | Political Affairs Reporter, AARAN TV KE 

The National Assembly's Committee on Finance and National Planning on Tuesday held a public participation forum in Wajir County to gather residents' views on a raft of proposed legislative measures that will shape Kenya's tax and economic policies for the 2026/27 Financial Year.

The engagement forms part of Parliament's constitutional obligation under Article 118 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes to be conducted openly and with active public participation.

Led by Committee Chairperson Hon. Kuria Kimani, Members of Parliament first conducted a civic education session to familiarize residents with the proposed laws before receiving public submissions.

 The bills under consideration include the Finance Bill, 2026, the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill, the Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill, and the Central Bank of Kenya (Amendment) Bill.

Addressing the forum, Hon. Kimani assured residents that views collected from Wajir and other parts of the country would be carefully considered before the Committee finalizes its report to Parliament.

"We are all aware that Wajir has lagged behind in key areas of development, including infrastructure and education. This Committee is committed to ensuring that your views are reflected in our report and that no region of the country is left behind," said Hon. Kimani.

A dominant concern raised by residents was the potential impact of the proposed tax measures on household incomes and the overall cost of living. Participants urged lawmakers to ensure that the legislation does not impose additional financial burdens on ordinary Kenyans.

Residents also called for prudent management of public resources and equitable distribution of development projects across all regions of the country.

Mr. Isaac Gitonga, representing the non-local community in Wajir Town, emphasized the need for enhanced public awareness and civic education on the proposed legislation.

"We are not opposed to these Bills. They contain significant provisions that could benefit citizens. However, meaningful public participation can only be achieved when people fully understand the contents and implications of the proposed laws," he said.

Chesumei Member of Parliament Hon. Paul Biego underscored the importance of incorporating views from all corners of the country, noting that inclusive policymaking strengthens national legislation.

"The people of Wajir should know that their voices matter. Their views will be considered alongside those of other Kenyans as Parliament deliberates on these important legislative proposals," said Hon. Biego.

The Wajir forum is part of a nationwide public participation exercise being conducted by the Committee. Similar engagements are scheduled in several counties, including Vihiga, Nairobi, Turkana, Mombasa, Siaya, Nyamira, Bomet, Kilifi, Kiambu, Makueni, Taita Taveta, and Tana River.

The public consultations are expected to inform Parliament's deliberations on the proposed economic and financial legislation before the measures are debated and considered for approval.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hassan Mohamud Clan Endorses Prof. Mohamed Yussuf Elmi “Nyanurey” for Wajir West MP Race

By Ahmed Salat Ali | Political Affairs Reporter, AARAN TV KE  With less than two years remaining before the 2027 General Election, political temperatures in Wajir West are steadily rising following the official endorsement of Prof. Mohamed Yussuf Elmi, popularly known as “Nyanyuray,” by the influential Hassan Mohamud sub-clan of the larger Rerow Mohamud community. The highly attended endorsement ceremony, marked by pomp, colour and jubilation, brought together respected elders, religious leaders, women, youth groups and community stakeholders from across the region. The gathering followed months of consultations, family retreats and extensive deliberations within the community before unanimously settling on Prof. Elmi as their preferred candidate for the Wajir West parliamentary seat in 2027. Speakers at the event described Prof. Elmi as a seasoned leader with vast experience, strong academic credentials and a deep understanding of the region’s development challenges. “The communit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Road Projects Signal New Dawn for Wajir as Shs.30 Billion Infrastructure Plan Takes Shape

By Ahmed Salat Ali | AARAN TV KE Political Affairs  WAJIR- A sweeping infrastructure plan targeting key road networks across Wajir County is poised to transform the region’s economic landscape, raising fresh hopes of long-awaited development in one of Kenya’s historically marginalized counties. Documents from the Ministry of Roads and Transport and road agencies outline a series of proposed and priority road upgrades aimed at improving connectivity within Wajir and linking the county to major transport corridors. The plan comes as preparations intensify for the national Madaraka Day celebrations scheduled to be hosted in Wajir in 2026. According to an official communication from the State Department of Roads, the government has directed key implementing agencies — including the Kenya National Highways Authority, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, and the Kenya Roads Board — to fast-track several projects considered critical to the county’s infrastructure gro...
Post a Comment
Read more

North Eastern Regional Commissioner Highlights Development Milestones, Drought Response in Wajir

 By Ahmed Salat Ali Aaran Tv Ke  Wajir – John Otieno, the North Eastern Regional Commissioner, has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating development across the region following the conclusion of a regional workshop aimed at strengthening service delivery at the grassroots. Speaking during a media briefing after the training session for government officers, the Regional Commissioner described the workshop as a critical step in equipping public servants with the skills and coordination needed to effectively implement national projects. “This training marks a new beginning for our officers. It is designed to ensure that government development programmes reach the grassroots efficiently and deliver tangible results to wananchi,” he said. Affordable Housing Gains Momentum Commissioner Otieno revealed that the Affordable Housing Programme in Wajir County has reached 55 per cent completion, expressing satisfaction with the pace of work. “We are pleased with the progr...
Post a Comment
Read more