The National Assembly of Kenya has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that the Finance Bill 2026 proposes annual land rent charges for Kenyans owning freehold land.
In a statement released on Monday, Parliament termed the reports as false and misleading, saying the Finance Bill currently before the House does not contain any provision touching on land ownership or land rent.
“It has been brought to our attention that fake news has been circulating online misinforming Kenyans on the contents of the Finance Bill, 2026,” the statement read.
According to the National Assembly, the Finance Bill 2026 contains 57 clauses, none of which relates to land matters.
The House specifically rejected claims that the Bill seeks to convert freehold land into leasehold land that would require landowners to pay annual rent to the government.
“Is it true that the Finance Bill, 2026, seeks to convert freehold land to leasehold land where the public will pay annual land rent? No. This is purely false, incorrect and untrue,” Parliament clarified.
At the same time, lawmakers dismissed reports suggesting that William Ruto had already signed another law introducing annual land rent charges on freehold land.
Parliament said no such legislation has been tabled, debated or passed in the current parliamentary term.
“No such bill exists in parliament, and there hasn’t been any act passed by Parliament or signed into law by the President in the present Parliament on the matter of rents on freehold land,” the statement concluded.
As Kenyans keep an eye on the discussions going on concerning the Finance Bill 2026, many have expressed their views on the matter on social media while asking some questions regarding those bills, which might affect businesses and taxpayers.
This problem of land ownership raised alarm among Kenyans after the news was circulated on social media regarding the matter that freehold land owners may have to pay some fees annually in order to own the land.
Now, it is being requested from the citizens to use the official platforms of the parliament to get the necessary information.
Parliament further warned that the misleading reports were intended to spread confusion and disinformation among members of the public during the ongoing public participation process on the Finance Bill.
Copies of the Finance Bill 2026 and other pending legislation, Parliament said, are available through official parliamentary channels for public review.