If history taught us anything in the smoke-filled streets of June 2024, it is that tax policy is not an abstract concept debated by suits in air-conditioned boardrooms—it is the difference between a thriving business and a shuttered shop, between a full basket and an empty table. As the sun sets on 2025, a critical window is closing. The National Treasury has given Kenyans until tomorrow, December 31, to submit proposals for the Finance Bill 2026.

This is not just another bureaucratic exercise. It is the first line of defense before the ink dries on policies that will determine the cost of living from July 2026. For years, public participation was treated as a formality—a box to be ticked. But the Gen Z-led uprising of 2024 shattered that apathy, proving that when the public engages, the government is forced to listen. The question now is: Will we use the pen as effectively as we used the placard?

The High Cost of Silence

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has been clear: the government is seeking to mobilize vast resources—targeting up to KES 5 trillion (approx. $38 billion) through new instruments like the National Infrastructure Fund. While the ambition is to drive the "Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," the revenue must come from somewhere. Without counter-proposals from the public, the default setting is often higher taxes on consumption.

Consider the stakes:

• Household Basics: Previous bills have targeted essential goods like bread and cooking oil. Your input can highlight the social cost of such levies.
• Digital Economy: For the thousands of young Kenyans earning in dollars online, unclear tax definitions can cripple earnings. This is the time to demand clarity.
• Business Survival: Manufacturers and SMEs often face conflicting regulations. A well-researched submission now can save an entire sector from punitive duties later.

How to Make Your Voice Count

Ranting on social media may garner likes, but it will not change a clause in the Finance Bill. The Treasury requires specific, evidence-based submissions. A vague complaint that "taxes are too high" will be ignored. To be effective, your email to the Treasury must follow a structured format:

• Identify the Law: Cite the specific Act you want amended (e.g., "The Income Tax Act, Cap 470").
• State the Issue: Clearly describe the problem. (e.g., "The current 15% withholding tax on digital content monetization is discouraging compliance.")
• Propose the Change: Draft the solution. (e.g., "Reduce the rate to 5% to encourage wider tax net inclusion.")
• Justify It: Provide data. Show how your proposal ultimately helps the economy grow, rather than just reducing your personal bill.

A New Era of Civic Duty

The skepticism is understandable. Many Kenyans feel that public participation is a charade. However, the courts have increasingly sided with the people, striking down laws where genuine public input was ignored. By submitting a formal proposal, you are creating a legal paper trail that holds the government accountable.

The deadline is December 31, 2025. The email address is budgetproposals@treasury.go.ke. We have less than 24 hours to influence the fiscal future of this country. In a democracy, you get the policy you negotiate for. If you stay silent now, you forfeit the right to be shocked when the prices change in July.