As the national debate over the Finance Bill 2026 intensifies, a guest on NTV Kenya has sparked mixed reactions by defending new taxes on mobile devices.
Speaking during a panel discussion on The Last Word, Agola Joash argued that owning an expensive smartphone should be classified as a luxury, making it a fair target for government revenue collection.
Joash's comments come at a time when many Kenyans are grappling with the rising cost of living and proposed changes to the tax code.
His intervention sought to clarify the specifics of the bill while challenging the audience to reconsider their contribution to national growth.
Understanding Section 36
During the broadcast, Joash pointed directly to the legislative text of the proposed bill to justify his stance. He noted that the tax is not a blanket charge on every Kenyan with a phone, but rather a targeted duty based on the market value of the device.
"It is very clear in Section 36, Part 1, which says the excise duty is charged on phones that are over 8,517 Shillings,” he said.
According to Joash, this threshold creates a clear distinction between essential tools and luxury items. He argued that if a Kenyan can afford to purchase a device exceeding that price point, they are in a financial position to contribute further to the exchequer.
"If you're buying phones below 8,517 Shillings, the tax is exempted," he added. "We need to just get it clear."
The "iPhone" Standard of Luxury
To illustrate his point, Joash used his own device as an example. Holding up his smartphone, he acknowledged that high-end technology—such as an iPhone—represents a level of wealth that falls outside the basic needs of the average citizen.
"For example, I own an iPhone at the moment, and I think this is beyond my means because what the phone does is just to access [internet and calls]. For us to contribute to the national growth, taxing it is allowed. So if you're owning a phone beyond 8,000 Shillings, that is a luxury."
The panel and audience reacted with a mixture of laughter and disbelief when he suggested that an 8,000-Shilling phone qualified as a luxury.
However, Joash remained firm, stating that the tax should be viewed as a collective effort to build the nation, regardless of age or demographic.
Agriculture and Tax Exemptions
Beyond the tech sector, Joash shifted the conversation toward the importance of protecting the agricultural industry. He argued that while luxury items like smartphones should be taxed, essential production tools must remain affordable.
He noted that the Finance Bill 2026 includes provisions to exempt farm inputs from taxation. This, he argued, is vital for food security and the livelihoods of those living outside the capital.
"We need to understand that agriculture is exempted. Even the farm inputs are exempted from tax," he explained.
"As we are in Nairobi, there are people back home who are doing agriculture."
Public Reaction to the Finance Bill
The Finance Bill 2026 has become a focal point of political and social discussion in Kenya. The bill aims to broaden the tax base to help the government manage the national debt and fund infrastructure projects.
Critics of the bill have voiced concerns that the new excise duties will hinder digital inclusion. They argue that mobile phones are no longer luxuries but essential tools for business, education, and banking in Kenya's digital economy.
