Legislators plot bill changes ahead of tomorrow’s voting

Over 40 lawmakers from across the political divide have proposed various amendments on the controversial Finance Bill scheduled to come up for Third Reading stage tomorrow even as Kenyans mainly young people vowed to continue with the protest that started last week.

 Sources within Parliament confirmed that a majority of the members from both sides of the political divide beat the Thursday 11, deadline National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula had given them to file the changes they want considered.

 Following the submission of the amendments, the committee on Finance and National Planning chaired by Molo MP Kimani Kuria is now expected to meet with the members between today and tomorrow morning who have amendments to harmonize them before they are brought to the house for consideration.

 The move by the MPs comes after a majority of the members voted in support of the bill during the second reading stage.

Said Wetangula: “I have seen some amendments and approved some, although it would be more decent and proper to file them after reading the Report to see whether you are proposing amendments that have already been dealt with by the Committee. I have directed the Clerk that the closure for submitting the amendments be on Thursday, 1.00 p.m. Those of you who want to file any amendments upon reading the Report and the Bill, ensure that you file your amendments at or before Thursday, 1.00 p.m.”

 The consideration of the bill in tomorrow’s session comes at a time when pressure has continued to mount on President William Ruto’s government to drop the bill on grounds that it is bad for Kenyans.

 Youths across the country calling themselves Generation Z have planned to continue with their protest dubbed “Occupy Parliament” to push the lawmakers to reject the bill in totality.

 And as a sign of how the protests will look like tomorrow, youths in Nyahururu, Laikipia county where Ruto was attending a church service took to the streets chanting “yote ya wezekana bila Ruto(All is possible without Ruto,” to demonstrate their anger towards the government.

Demonstrations in church

 In Nairobi county some of the youths also took their demonstrations to churches where they called for a total rejection of the bill.

 On the other hand, social media platforms were also awash with calls to have the bill rejected and those arrested by police while protesting to be released.

 Following the increasing pressure from the youths, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed assured the young people that the government will hold a conversation with them to enable them air their grievances.

 Reads a message posted in his social media account: “Our young people have stepped forward to engage in the affairs of their country. They’ve done their democratic duty, to stand and be recognized. I’m proud of them. We’ll have a conversation with you to identify your issues & work together as a nation.”

 Kikuyu MP and Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wa also congratulated the Gen Z for taking charge of the governance of the country just days after he told them off.  Reads a message posted on his Facebook account: “The emergence of Gen Z as a force in advocacy and governance has shown a remarkable shift towards unity and inclusivity, transcending ethnic and tribal barriers that have long divided us. This new generation exemplifies a forward-thinking approach, prioritizing common goals and shared values over narrow, divisive identities.”

The Ministry of interior and Coordination was also not left behind as it also declared a number of opportunities and vacancies for Gen Z.

Job opportunities

 Reads a message posted on its social media account X-platform: “@InteriorKE offers attachments and internships through the  @PSCKeny and is an equal opportunity employer. Join us at Africa Public Service Week  @KSGKenya Lower Kabete, from June 22-23, 2024 and explore opportunities across our security institutions and affiliated agencies.”

The protests which started in Nairobi CBD but escalated to other parts of the country including Nyeri, Eldoret, Garrissa, Mombasa, Kisumu, Baringo and Laikpia was to pressurize the lawmakers not to pass the controversial bill.

 Over 200 people were arrested after police declared the demonstrations as illegal.

 On Saturday 45 000 netzines spent seven hours on X-platform formally Twitter to protest the bill.  The conversation dubbed “Good morning Kenya : Where is crazy Nairobian ‘’ started as a push for the release of the content creator Billy Allias Crazy Nairobian who was arrested on Friday.

 President William Ruto briefly joined the space that was being used by users to attack various government officials for supporting the bill.

 But even as the young people prepare to stage demonstration country wide, People Daily has learnt that some of the amendments that lawmakers have filed with the office of the clerk Samuel Njoroge include one on Eco levy where they want the tax removed even on imported products such as sanitary towels and diapers as the locally made ones are not enough.

 The MPs also come up with an amendment to block the intended increase in fuel levy that will see the price of fuel increase by Sh 7 per liter.

 The bill seeks to increase the road maintenance levy charged on all petroleum fuels imported to Kenya for home use.

Proposed amendments

 In the proposal, the lawmakers have also proposed amendments that will bar beneficiaries from selling houses acquired under the affordable housing scheme as proposed in the finance bill.

The Finance Bill seeks to amend section 54 of the Affordable Housing Act, to clean up the provision following the advisory given by the Attorney General.”

 Section 54 of the Affordable housing act provided that except with the prior written consent of the Board, a purchaser of an affordable housing unit under this Act shall not by contract, agreement or otherwise, sell or agree to sell his or her unit or any interest therein to any other person.”

The lawmakers have also brought amendments to do away with the proposed digital tax after the bill enhanced the meaning of digital content monetization by including creative works and creating or sharing of the material as a form of acquiring an income which will be subjected to taxation. 

Said the source who did not want to be named: “We have received so many amendments, over 40 MPs have brought in their amendments which will look at them and if they are not the same as those proposed by the committee on Finance and National Planning, we will slot them in the order paper.”

 During the consideration of the amendments tomorrow (Tuesday) parliament is expected to consider, amend or retain some of the controversial clauses.

 The opposition which has opposed the bill has clarified that it will give its position known before tomorrow as to whether they will push for amendments or not.

 Already the committee on Finance and planning chaired by Molo MP Kimani Kuria has proposed various amendments to remove the contentious clauses on the bill including the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax.

 They also proposed to remove the increase in mobile money transfer fees, and Excise Duty on vegetable oil has also been removed.