President Ruto praised MPs who backed the Finance Bill 2026 while speaking at the burial of Mama Zipporah Kosgey in Nandi, challenging critics to name harmful clauses.
President William Ruto used the burial of Mama Zipporah Kosgey in Nandi County to fire a fresh defense of the newly passed Finance Bill 2026, praising MPs who backed it while dismissing critics as dishonest.
Praise For MPs Who Backed The Bill
Speaking at the funeral service for Mama Zipporah, wife of former Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, the President said lawmakers who voted for the Bill showed courage in the face of "misinformation, propaganda, and divisive political narratives."
"History will record that when a time was required to stand for the country, you were there," Ruto told mourners.
Daring The Critics
Ruto challenged opponents of the Bill to point out which specific clauses were hurting Kenyans, claiming none could do so when pressed in Parliament.
"For the first time they were asked in Parliament if there were specific clauses which are affecting Kenyans in a specific way; show us which clause. They were unable to because they are deceitful," he said.
The Numbers Behind The Vote
The Finance Bill 2026 passed its Third Reading with only 162 of 349 MPs taking part in the vote — 122 in favour, 40 against. That means just 46.4 percent of the House voted, with 187 members absent or abstaining, a turnout that has sparked debate over the legitimacy of such a low-participation decision on a Bill that shapes the country's taxation and spending plans.
A Call For Vigilance
Beyond the Bill, Ruto urged Kenyans to question political claims and demand evidence rather than be swayed by tribal rhetoric, framing the Finance Bill debate as part of a wider fight for national unity and economic stability.