By Mumo Judah, June 22, 2026
Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji has called for the complete abolition of electronic voting in Parliament, arguing that the current system allows legislators to hide from public scrutiny while passing laws that negatively affect ordinary Kenyans.
Speaking during a live interview on Monday, June 22, 2026, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker claimed that electronic voting shields MPs from accountability because constituents are often unable to know how individual lawmakers voted on critical issues.
Mukunji argued that some legislators take advantage of the anonymity provided by electronic voting to support unpopular laws while pretending to oppose them outside Parliament.
“Mukunji argues that some lawmakers hide behind it to pass bills that are against public interests,” he said.
The legislator revealed that some MPs were uncomfortable with proposals to conduct voting publicly through microphones, fearing that their positions would be exposed to voters back home.
“I saw a member crying when they heard that they were going to vote through the microphone because he didn’t want to be exposed to his people,” said Mukunji.
He praised lawmakers who opposed the recently passed Finance Bill 2026, describing them as courageous leaders who resisted pressure despite being outnumbered.
“I think the 40 members of parliament are heroes according to me. They stood their ground; there was all manner of games,” he said.
Mukunji’s remarks come in the wake of growing public outrage following the passage of the Finance Bill 2026, which was approved by 122 MPs against 40, despite low attendance in the House.
According to parliamentary records, 187 out of the 349 Members of Parliament failed to participate in the decisive vote, sparking criticism over absenteeism and raising concerns about whether a small group of lawmakers should determine major economic policies affecting millions of Kenyans.
In response, the Manyatta MP is pushing for far-reaching reforms to parliamentary procedures. He wants the National Assembly Standing Orders amended to ensure that future tax-related legislation can only be passed when at least two-thirds of MPs are present in the chamber.
Under his proposal, fiscal legislation would be treated with the same seriousness as impeachment proceedings against a president or governor, requiring a higher threshold to guarantee broader representation and legitimacy.
Mukunji maintained that decisions touching on taxation and the cost of living should not be left to a minority of legislators.
He argued that public accountability and transparency are essential in restoring confidence in Parliament, saying voters deserve to know exactly where their representatives stand on issues that directly affect their livelihoods.
The push comes amid increasing pressure on lawmakers to embrace greater openness following widespread criticism over the Finance Bill and growing calls for reforms aimed at strengthening parliamentary accountability.
