Members of the public argued that a\u00a0significant number\u00a0of people in the county depend on betting as a source of income<\/strong>.\u00a0A youth representative urged lawmakers to scrap or significantly reduce the proposed tax. “Tax on betting winnings should be reduced significantly or totally abolished as youths now largely invest in it and depend on the returns,” the representative told MPs. The representative also suggested that if the proposal is retained, higher tax rates should apply to larger winners while protecting small-scale bettors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n The proposal would reintroduce a 20 per cent withholding tax on gambling winnings from betting, gaming, lotteries<\/strong> and prize competitions for both residents and non-residents. The measure would reverse changes introduced under the Finance Act 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bomet objections come amid opposition to the proposed tax from the Gambling Regulatory Authority <\/a>(GRA), which says the Finance Act 2025 framework is easier to administer and has improved tax collection, and the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK<\/a>), which warns the measure could push players towards unregulated platforms and weaken consumer protections.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gambling taxation was among several Finance Bill 2026 proposals <\/strong>discussed during the Bomet hearing. Committee members assured attendees that their submissions would form part of Parliament’s review of the bill.\u00a0Benjamin Langat<\/strong>, Finance and National Planning Committee vice chairperson, said public submissions would be reflected in the committee’s final report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joseph Oyula<\/strong>, committee member, encouraged greater public involvement in legislative processes, telling attendees: “Your views are very important in this process, and we undertake to put them into consideration as we write our final report.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Langat reiterated that public submissions would be reflected in the committee’s final report<\/strong>. He said: “Our job is to ensure that everyone’s views are heard and respected. As your representatives in the Assembly, we shall endeavour to report your proposals on this. I can confirm to you that whatever you say shall form part of our final process and shall be captured in the report.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n Langat also weighed in on the wider debate <\/strong>around betting participation. “Out of maybe a hundred thousand bets placed, very few people, maybe even only one, can win millions,” he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bomet hearing formed part of a wider public participation process taking place across Kenya as Parliament gathers views on the Finance Bill 2026. Feedback from citizens, industry stakeholders and regulators is expected to inform the committee’s final report before lawmakers decide whether to adopt the proposed measures. <\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/focusgn.com\/africa\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2026\/06\/KENYA1-900x600.jpg\")
Parliament reviews public input<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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