Credit Gen Zs, not government, for tax pushback- Sifuna

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and John Mbadi, CS Treasury. [File, Standard]

As Kenyans await the National Treasury’s response and the final shape of the Finance Bill 2025, pressure is mounting on the government to offer tax reliefs to a population strained by rising fuel prices, increased levies, and stagnant wages.

Appearing before the Senate plenary, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi was grilled by lawmakers over issues of double taxation, increasing fuel costs, and the mounting financial burden on Kenyans.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna pressed Mbadi on what steps the Treasury was taking to regulate the existing tax regime.

“I would like the CS to address one question. What are you doing about existing taxation that you found, including the housing levy, the increase in PAYE and VAT on fuel, that has seen the cost of taxes on a litre of petrol exceeding the cost of the product?” he questioned.

Sifuna further criticised the government’s attempt to celebrate the Finance Bill 2025 as tax-neutral, crediting growing youth activism instead.

“Honourable Speaker; we have heard the Ministry, actually the CS himself, taking credit that this year's finance bill has no new taxes. But I know its credit to the Gen Z who have struck the fear of God in this government. They will not attempt to introduce new taxes.”

Known for his fiery speeches and outspoken social media presence, Sifuna has consistently positioned himself as a sharp critic of the current administration.

Yesterday, he sparked controversy with a post on X (formerly Twitter), following a standoff between Kenya and Tanzania. His post called for an aggressive shift in Kenya’s regional posture.

‘’First, ban the entire CCM leadership from visiting our country. Second, withdraw from the joint hosting of CAF with the dictatorships in Uganda and Tanzania. Third, move the EALS annual conference from Zanzibar…withdraw that fake apology and demand that Tanzania apologize to us instead,” he wrote.

Sifuna’s stance in Parliament and online continues to reflect growing political frustration over the state of the economy, regional cooperation, and perceived lack of public accountability.