19/06/2026
Yesterday we attended a Democracy Convening at Ufungamano House, organized by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops – Catholic Justice and Peace Department.
The session focused on the Finance Bill, 2026 and its broader implications on citizens and public finance. Key areas of discussion included:
• The principal tax measures such as phone activation excise duty, levy on imported second-hand clothing, taxation of digital platforms and virtual assets, and changes in tax filing deadlines
• The FY 2026/27 fiscal framework and its policy direction
• A constitutional and public-finance review grounded in Articles 201, 220–221 and 118 of the Constitution
• A critical reflection on “who carries the burden,” especially the distributional impact on low-income households and the informal sector, viewed through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching
The engagement underscored an important question for our democracy: how do we ensure fairness, transparency, and equity in taxation while safeguarding the dignity and livelihoods of ordinary citizens?
Public finance is not just about revenue... it is about justice, accountability, and shared responsibility.
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya
Loyola Center for Media and Communications
National Cohesion and Integration Commission
Badili Africa
UNDP Kenya
ForumCiv
Relationship Haven
Ambrose Kilonzo
Security Research and Information Centre - SRIC