Speaking on Monday, May 25, CS Mbadi dismissed the allegations, accusing Kalonzo of misleading the public and misrepresenting the contents of the proposed legislation.
He maintained that the Finance Bill 2026 does not include any clause on land taxation or any proposal to convert freehold land into leasehold tenure.
Addressing the media, Mbadi challenged the former Vice President to point out the specific section of the bill supporting his claims, insisting that the assertions were not based on fact.
“I watched former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka misleading the public. First, I watched his press conference, and he said reject the Finance Bill.
“I was waiting to hear why Kalonzo, of all the people, asked the Finance Bill to be rejected, then he says that there are hidden provisions in the Finance Bill and one of them is taxation of land,” Mbadi stated.
He further defended the government’s position, arguing that the document presented to the National Assembly contains no reference to land taxation.
“There is nowhere in the bill that talks about taxing land. Can Kalonzo tell the people of Kenya the particular clause in the bill that we submitted to the National Assembly where it has touched on taxation of land?” he posed.
The Treasury CS urged political leaders to engage with the Finance Bill 2026 in a factual and responsible manner, warning against what he termed as politicization of critical national policy documents.
He emphasized that any concerns about the bill should be clearly identified and addressed through proper legislative channels rather than public speculation.
“We must be a responsible nation. If there is a problem with the Finance Bill 2026, let us point it out, and then we deal with it, but let us not politicize it,” he added.
His remarks came in response to comments made by Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday during a church service in Murang’a County.
The Wiper leader had urged Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill 2026, alleging that it contains hidden provisions that would introduce leasehold land ownership.
“Reject the Finance Bill 2026 because it quietly introduces leasehold land ownership.
Dedan Kimathi would have died in vain, and the blood Kenyans shed for our land rights will be for nothing,” Kalonzo stated