Kenya Finance Bill 2026 & Your Next Phone

If you’ve been scrolling through the news lately, you’ve probably felt that little knot in your stomach. The Finance Bill 2026 and a “25% tax on phones” — it’s everywhere. And for many of us, a phone isn’t a luxury. It’s the shop, the M-Pesa till, the CV, the classroom, the lifeline to family back home. So when the price of that lifeline is threatened, it’s personal. We get it. We feel it too.

At Naicomm Online, we don’t just sell phones from our shop at Kimathi House — we live this economy with you. So let’s break this down honestly, without the panic, and show you exactly how we’re standing with our customers.

What the Finance Bill 2026 Actually Says About Phones

Here’s the real picture. Kenya’s Finance Bill 2026 proposes a 25% excise duty on mobile phones used for cellular and wireless networks, with the levy applied at the point of activation rather than at importation or sale. The Bill has been before Parliament since early May and is intended to take effect from 1 July 2026.

But here’s the nuance the headlines often miss. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has defended the proposed 25% excise duty, arguing it is expected to reduce the cumulative tax burden on devices. His point is that phones in Kenya currently carry 16% VAT, 10% excise duty, 25% import duty, a 2.5% import declaration fee and a 2% railway development levy — a combined burden of roughly 55%. The proposal aims to consolidate several of those into one cleaner excise framework.

Whether prices actually rise or fall depends on how Parliament finalises the Bill during public participation — so the smart move is to stay informed, not fearful.

How Naicomm Online Softens the Blow: Lipa Pole Pole & Trade-In

This is where being a Naicomm customer truly matters. Even if device prices shift, you don’t have to carry that weight all at once.

Our Lipa Pole Pole plan means you spread the cost over time — small, manageable amounts instead of one painful lump sum. And our Trade-In Programme lets your current phone do the heavy lifting: bring in your old device, we value it fairly, and that value goes straight toward your

upgrade. Less cash out of pocket, same dream phone in your hand. In a tougher economy, these aren’t gimmicks — they’re how we keep technology within reach for ordinary Kenyans.

Low-Budget Phones That Still Deliver

Worried about affordability? Naicomm Online stocks a solid range of budget-friendly smartphones that handle WhatsApp, M-Pesa, browsing and a decent camera without draining your savings. A smaller budget should never mean being locked out of the digital economy. Walk into our shop opposite the KCB ATM, and our team will match you to a phone that fits your pocket and your needs.

Corporate Employees: We See You

Salaried Kenyans have been squeezed hard. PAYE alone accounts for over KES 560 billion — about a third of domestic revenue — placing a disproportionate burden on the small share of Kenyans in formal employment. Adding device costs on top of compounding statutory deductions stings.

Naicomm’s solution? Flexible payment plans designed around payday cycles, trade-in offers that reduce upfront cost, and honest advice instead of pressure. We help you upgrade smartly, not desperately.

Smart Tips for Navigating the 25% Phone Cost

This excise duty is charged at activation and built into the device price — it is not something you personally file with KRA. Here’s how to stay ahead:

1. Buy before policy changes settle — lock in current pricing while you can.
2. Use Trade-In to slash your out-of-pocket cost.
3. Choose Lipa Pole Pole to budget in small, stress-free instalments.
4. Buy from trusted, compliant sellers like Naicomm — genuine, properly-taxed devices protect you long-term.
5. Follow the public participation process, since the final Bill may still change.

Naicomm Online — Walking With You

Tax bills come and go. What stays is how a business treats its people. Whatever the Finance Bill 2026 brings, Naicomm Online is right here with you.