Parliament turns to virtual public participation on Finance Bill
Finance and Planning Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani, who is also the Molo MP, said this year’s approach will ensure more Kenyans can be heard without having to attend physical meetings.
The government has opened a digital platform for public participation in the Finance Bill 2025, giving Kenyans a chance to submit their views online using a QR code.
The move, announced on Thursday during the launch of public hearings, is aimed at increasing transparency and making the process more inclusive.
Finance and Planning Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani, who is also the Molo MP, said this year’s approach will ensure more Kenyans can be heard without having to attend physical meetings.
"We have officially commenced public hearings on two critical Bills: the Finance Bill, 2025, and the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025. The hearings are underway at the Edge Convention Centre, South C, and will run for two weeks," he said.
Kuria urged Kenyans to take part in the exercise and make use of the QR code to access the bill and submit their comments.
"Both Bills are being reviewed concurrently, with input from the public and key stakeholders. To ensure inclusive participation, please submit your views virtually via the QR code," he added.
He explained that this shift to a virtual system is part of efforts by Parliament to ensure that working citizens who cannot attend physical hearings still get the chance to contribute.
"The National Assembly committed that this time around, we would not just have the traditional KICC meetings because there are not many people who have the time to leave their workplaces and physically give their views," Kuria said.
The decision to adopt a digital platform is seen as a response to the backlash faced during last year’s Finance Bill process, where many complained about lack of transparency and limited access.
