Kenya's Parliament Passes Controversial Finance Bill Despite Public Outcry | Mwakilishi.com

The Kenyan National Assembly has passed the contentious Finance Bill 2024 despite significant opposition from political rivals and the general public.

The bill, which introduces a series of controversial tax measures, has been approved by a vote of 195 to 106, with no abstentions. This victory for President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance comes in the face of widespread protests and online dissent from millions of Kenyans concerned about the bill's potential economic impact. The legislation now awaits President Ruto's signature to become law. However, the President retains the option to return the bill to the Assembly with a memorandum of recommended changes, a precedent set by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2018.

The swift adoption of the bill's most controversial clauses during the Committee Stage, which took less than two hours, has further intensified public outcry. The official opposition, led by Raila Odinga's Azimio coalition, initially proposed amendments to the bill but ultimately withdrew them, deeming such efforts futile in the face of the government's determined push. This resulted in a largely one-sided debate dominated by government-aligned lawmakers. The opposition's retreat allowed for the rapid progression of the bill through the legislative process.

Despite the overall controversy, some concessions were made in response to public pressure. These include the removal of the proposed annual 2.5 percent motor vehicle recirculation tax, the elimination of value-added tax on diaspora remittances and raw materials for local diaper and sanitary pad production, and the preservation of bread's zero-rated status, avoiding the proposed 16 percent value-added tax. The passage of this bill marks a significant political victory for President Ruto's administration but it comes at the cost of widespread public dissatisfaction.

Juju

Tue, 06/25/2024 @ 07:43pm

That’s what leadership is about, sometimes you have to make very tough decisions for greater good against a mountain of gullible uninformed masses!!!

Ochichi

Tue, 06/25/2024 @ 10:47pm

In reply to That’s what leadership is… by Juju

#Total Nonsense and Hogwash!

Jay

Wed, 06/26/2024 @ 10:14pm

In reply to That’s what leadership is… by Juju

They represent the people.

If they aganist the people, kazi Yao imeiisha.

Maxiley

Fri, 06/28/2024 @ 04:04pm

In reply to That’s what leadership is… by Juju

@ Juju, yes leaders have to make tough decision.However,you are assuming ,saying NO to unpopular bill is not a tough decision.A wise leader has to be a tuned to the needs of the people.We should not be in this state of high debts,and scrambling to pay them at the backs of poor workers.Wasteful spending,ineptitude,mismanagement- basically corruption is what is destroying our REVENUE.Add that to wanton spending,and you will have hard time paying the Chinese,and the IMF,and world bank.We have had poor governance for over 50 years. This has to change. When a president says that the country is losing 2 billion shilling aday to corruption,yes leadership has to make tough decisions like hanging the culprits. It's no secret that the most corrupt individuals in Kenya are known.Yes, if we can plug those holes of corruption, and wasteful spending we will not have a future version GEN Z protesting and demostrating...My two cents

Anonymous

Wed, 06/26/2024 @ 09:33am

Kenya is at crossroads. Separation of evil and good starts here.This is a spiritual war. We only see a small physical manifestation.This is God's land. Where land cannot be taken by physical might.Anyone can try. The forces of creation both seen and unseen will fight back.Eventually all with physical might, will put their might down, and lift up their hands to the God of peace in Kenya.Kenyans keep your prayers up and watch the forces of good and peace fight the forces of bad and evil.Let us watch as events unfold.