The Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) is advocating for taxation and budget policies that promote inclusion, accountability and sustainable development.
Speaking during a high-level engagement forum on the Finance Bill 2026, KEWOPA noted that the Finance Bill is among the most critical legislative instruments before Parliament, because it directly affects the lives of Kenyans through taxation, service delivery, infrastructure development, social protection and economic opportunities.
Nairobi Women Representative, Esther Passaris, said Parliament must assess whether the proposed tax measures support economic growth, while safeguarding vulnerable groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, children and marginalized communities.
Passaris said that Kenya continues to face fiscal pressures, while pursuing national development priorities and international commitments.
“Budgets should not merely be viewed as financial documents, but as reflections of national priorities and values,” she said.
The women rep called for stronger commitment to gender equality, healthcare, education, food security, climate resilience and economic empowerment through budgetary allocations.
“We welcome the recommendations aimed at strengthening equitable taxation, enhancing transparency and aligning expenditure with development outcomes, while also supporting gender-responsive budgeting to ensure women and girls are not disproportionately affected by fiscal decisions,” she said.
Passaris acknowledged proposed reforms under the Miscellaneous Fees and Levies framework aimed at improving accountability and efficiency in revenue administration.
However, she cautioned Parliament against introducing taxes, levies and compliance requirements that could increase pressure on citizens and businesses already grappling with economic hardships.
KEWOPA raised concern over the disproportionate burden women continue to bear through unpaid care work, barriers to economic participation and the impact of underfunded social services.
It called for increased investment in healthcare, education, social protection programmes, affirmative action initiatives, women’s economic empowerment and efforts to combat gender-based violence.
KEWOPA urged Members of Parliament, to use insights from the engagement and the Shadow Budget to strengthen oversight, improve legislative review and ensure public resources deliver meaningful outcomes for citizens.
The Association reaffirmed its commitment to working with Parliament, government institutions, civil society and development partners in advancing inclusive and transparent fiscal policies aimed at improving the welfare of Kenyans.
The Forum brought together legislators, development partners, civil society organisations and policy experts to deliberate on the country’s fiscal direction and expenditure priorities.
by Celestine Lomolijah and Nyawira Githinji
