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A  sharply divided Parliament is this week expected to vote on the controversial Finance Bill 2024, with MPs preparing dozens of amendments to the tax measures proposed by the Treasury.

Unlike last year, when Kenya Kwanza MPs were lobbied by State House to vote for the bill as directed, this time round they have vowed to defy the orders and vote for what suits their constituents.

The Finance and Planning Committee, chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, is expected to table its report tomorrow. Debate on the bill and voting is likely to happen on Wednesday.

There are fears in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition that the rift between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua might affect the voting pattern. Last week, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah claimed that the DP was mobilising MPs allied to him to shoot down the bill.

Several changes

A source told People Daily that President Ruto is likely to summon Kenya Kwanza-allied MPs for a meeting upon his return from Europe ahead of voting day.

A source close to the Finance committee, now holed up in a Naivasha hotel, confided to People Daily that many changes had been made to the bill mainly factoring in what Kenyans proposed during public hearings.

“This time round we have given a lot of emphasis on suggestions made by stakeholders and the general public on what needs to be done to the proposed tax measures,” said a member of the committee.

Yesterday, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji said he had prepared several amendments, among them a proposal to scrap the proposed motor vehicle circulation tax, which was set at 2.5 percent of the value of the vehicle.

He has also proposed an amendment to a plan to charge VAT on bread and wants it zero-rated instead.

“Some of the proposed taxes are not good for the country – they will bring down the economy,” said Mukunji.

About 30 Kenya Kwanza MPs have prepared amendments to the controversial bill, in defiance of the coalition’s position.

Meanwhile, Azimio MPs have been summoned for a parliamentary group (PG) meeting to plan how to vote for the bill. In a text message to the lawmakers, Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi asked them to acquaint themselves with the bill ahead of the voting date.

“Upon consultations, we have scheduled a PG meeting in the Mini Chamber at County Hall on Tuesday, 18th June 2024, at 5pm. The meeting shall deliberate on the Finance Bill 2024 and chart the strategic way forward. Let’s [endeavour] to acquaint ourselves with the Bill before that time. Physical attendance is mandatory. Thank you,” the message said.

ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has also written to Azimio MPs, warning them against not attending the Tuesday sitting. “You are directed to postpone any travel planned this week and make it to parliament to vote against the Finance Bill,” Sifuna said in a statement.

Social media campaign

Meanwhile, disgruntled Kenyans are now mobilising on social media under the hashtag ‘Reject Finance Bill’ to raise awareness and marshal sufficient support to ensure they show up iat Parliament on voting day.

“Citizens, rise against overtaxation. Reject Finance Bill 2024,” reads a poster circulating on the sociasl media site X.

Upon the conclusion of public hearings on the proposed taxes last Tuesday, the Finance Committee retreated on Wednesday to write a report on the bill. MPs will have 24 hours to read the report, which is slotted for the third reading by the House Business Committee, chaired by the Speaker

Organisers of the “occupy Parliament” campaign are rallying support to ensure their voices are heard as MPs debate and vote on the bill.