John Mbadi Defends Recent Utterances On Finance Bill 2024: "I'm Not A Con Man"

• National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi hinted at reintroducing some clauses in the Finance Bill 2024 that he noted were not oppressive to taxpayers
• The new CS insisted that any new taxes would have sufficient public participation and changes well explained to Kenyans
• He revealed that he told President William Ruto he would do things differently and that it would not be business as usual

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting and offers profound insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) John Mbadi has defended his statement that some clauses in the defunct Finance Bill 2024 were good.

Why Mbadi defended his Finance Bill 2024 statement

Mbadi hinted at reintroducing some clauses in the bill that he noted were not oppressive to taxpayers, including the extension of the tax amnesty programme.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Thursday, August 22, Mbadi insisted that any new taxes will have sufficient public participation.

"I am not a conman, and we are not conspiring to bring anything and ambush Kenyans. There is no legislation which will come from the Treasury to the National Assembly without an explanation given to the public. We must have proper public participation," Mbadi explained.

How Mbadi plans to enhance revenue collection

The CS vowed to improve Kenya's tax policy to encourage taxpayers to fulfil their patriotic duty.

He said abolishing penalties and interests will encourage Kenyans to pay their fair share of taxes regardless of social status.

Mbadi promised to make tax payments humane, noting that this would improve compliance.

Will John Mbadi change Kenya's tax rates?

Following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, Mbadi said he was against the idea of increasing taxes.

The CS explained that he would not burden Kenyans with additional levies, insisting that he had talked with President William Ruto about his agenda.

He revealed that he told Ruto he would do things differently and that it would not be business as usual.

Which tax changes does Mbadi plan to introduce?

Mbadi earlier announced plans to revive some of the tax proposals in the withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.

He said that they had begun the process to bring back 49 tax changes.

However, he said tax amendments touching on products like sanitary pads will be left out of the new proposals, noting that the amendments will be designed not to affect ordinary citizens.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke