Bill’s fate leaves ‘Yes’ MPs with egg on the face

A number of leaders who were in the forefront pushing for the passage of the controversial Finance Bill that has sparked countrywide protests have been left with egg on their face following the announcement by President William Ruto that he had agreed to have the bill withdrawn.

The silence of some of the MPs has been so loud to the extent some of them who are always updating and engaging Kenyans on their social media platforms have remained tight-lipped with not even a comment on their pages that are usually busy on a normal day.

The fear by the lawmakers is emanating from outrage by those who elected them as some of them have already stormed their homes and torched everything, including their property.

Among the vocal MPs who have now been branded “enemies of the people” include National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Leader of Majority and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, Molo MP and Finance and Planning chairperson Kimani Kuria, Kiharu MP and Budget and Appropriations Committee chairperson Ndindi Nyoro, South Mugirango MP and majority whip Silvanus Osoro, Deputy Majority Whip and Kilifi North MP Owen Baya as well as National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u.

Tax proposals

Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei who chaired the committee of the whole House appeared determined to pass the amendments at all cost despite pleas by those opposed to the tax proposals.

The other is the Finance Committee vice-chairperson Benjamin Langat and Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai.

Ndung’u whose ministry came up with the Finance bill defended it saying it is expected to generate an additional Sh346.7 billion. He is on record warning members that critical areas would lose funding should the bill fall as they will have a shortfall of Sh200 billion in the 2024/25 budget.

 Among the areas he said would be affected include allocation to counties, hiring of medical interns, the education sector especially the hiring of intern teachers, school feeding Programme and university funding, the National Government-Constituency Development (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action (NGAAF).

 He said: “However, if the revenue raising measures contained in the Finance Bill 2024 are not approved by the National Assembly, there will be a likely revenue shortfall of approximately Sh200 billion. In order to remain within the provision of Section 40 (5) (a) and Section 50 of PFMA, 2012 Cap. 412A, we propose the following measures, general expenditure cuts across the three arms of Government, reverse the proposed additions in the Appropriations Bill for FY 2024/25 across all the MDAs; and reverse all additional new budget lines in the Appropriations Bill.”

Song and dance

 Wetang’ula who oversaw the passage of the bill in a session characterized by song and dance is on record telling opposition MPs especially from the opposition to refrain from criticizing the Bill in funerals and other public events and help the public understand it better.

In his address to members on Wednesday, a day after the bill was passed, Wetang’ula termed as regrettable the invasion of Parliament, distraction of property, the desecration of the Parliamentary square by people masquerading as youth and peaceful protesters who reigned terror on Parliament after they forcefully made their way into what he described as “hallowed grounds.”

 Ichung’wah spearheaded the mobilisation of MPs in parliament to pass the bill on grounds that the government will use it to get funds for development. His strong support of the bill led to the Kikuyu constituency NG-CDF offices being ransacked and set on fire by angry protestors.

Speaking in Narok East constituency, Ichung’wah said: “All these monies that will be used for development come from this Finance Bill; money for bursaries, school feeding programmes, power connectivity, construction of roads, social health care, and the provision of water, among other needs. Ichung’wa who told the opposition to stop misleading Kenyans on the bill is also rubbed Kenyans the wrong way when he claimed that the Gen Z’s comprised elites who rely on iPhones and online taxis to attend protests.

 “The Gen Z have iphones and use Ubers to protest. Wanatoka maandamano wanaingia KFC kukula kuku na minofu, maji ni ile ya chupa...si mliwaona? Hawajui shida stima ni kitu gani...wako na umeme 24/7,” he said.

 Kuria whose residence in Treasure Island estate in Molo constituency was invaded and at least three vehicles being reduced to shells is the author of the bill and has been mobilizing MPs to pass it.

Amendments introduced

He has been in the forefront in mobilizing members to pass the bill to an extent that the committee he chairs introduced a number of amendments as a way of wooing them in to supporting the bill. Majority of the amendments were adopted by the MPs during the consideration of the bill on Tuesday.

 “Nilivote Yes na siogopi Kusema. Sasa mnataka pesa ya mbolea itoke wapi. lazima tulipe ushuru,” said Thika MP Alice Ng’anga.’

  Nyoro while asking members to pass the bill, warned members that they risk losing their NG-CDF monies including the Sh 50 million that each constituency has been allocated for rural electrification.

 He also warned them that NGAF would lose Sh1.5 billion meant for the kitty, JSS intern teachers will not be hired as the allocation to the kitty will be removed, money meant for livestock restocking will be taken away while the Sh 5.5 billion for cash transfers will also be removed.

 He said: “There are no revenue measures proposed by Hon Kuria in his proposals in his report.”

Osoro who has been mobilizing members to be in the chamber to pass the bill during voting, insisted that its passage will enable the government to fullfil government’s pledges to Kenyans.

 “We are not going to reject the finance bill, because we must fund government, but we are going to reject contentious clauses. Clauses about bread are debatable,” he added.

 Baya who has also been mobilizing members warned that shooting down the Finance Bill will interfere with the financing of budget which is set to benefit Kenyans.

 “I am sure many other issues that Kenyans have raised but I want to look at the budget. Today, members of this House CDF will have more money than before because it was proposed in the budget and it is going to be financed in the Finance Bill,” Baya said.

 Langat described  the  Bill as well thought.

“The Bill as the most canvassed through public relations. Public was not a public relations exercise. We have included the views of Kenyans,” he said while seconding the motion. 

“We listened to the people. The proposal for 16 percent VAT on bread by the proposal was dropped. MPs are going to receive more money as CDF. There will be more money for political parties, “ said Baya.

“ With the additional needs and considering our taxbase we need to expand it. Our collection is not sufficient to meet the Sh4trillion budget. That is why we need to increase excise duty on motorcycles. Let us not whip emotions and engage in populist politics”  said Osoro.

Nyamai described the Finance Bill as “very good and highly acceptable”. “I support the Bill because it gives additional funds for counties to build markets and roads,” she said. “The young people are on the streets  for Tik Tok. They cant find stones because the community associated with them is not on the street.”