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Members of the National Assembly have unanimously agreed to extend the debating time for the Finance Bill 2024.

According to a statement from the Parliament on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the lawmakers have resolved to hold a morning sitting on Thursday, June 20, 2024

In a motion sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung’wah, the legislators unanimously adopted the procedural motion to hold a Morning Sitting on Thursday, June 20 2024, commencing at 9.30 am.

The MPs pointed out that the extended time will allow them more time to consider priority business.

“The House Business Committee met this afternoon and considered this motion to allow legislators ample time to debate the Finance Bill 2024. We thought it would be wise to have a sitting on Thursday, June 20, 2024 Morning. We will have the entire Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 9.30 am and 9.00 pm and Thursday morning sitting,” Ichung’wah stated.

The extended session will supplement the already scheduled Wednesday sittings, offering a full day and a morning for members to propose amendments and extensively debate the 2024, Finance Bill, the parliament explained.

The motion was supported by Leader of the Minority Party, Opiyo Wandayi, who argued that MPs needed more time for debate. Opiyo maintained that members across the political divide desired a thorough examination of the bill.

“Members from across the political divide want adequate time to contribute to the Finance Bill 2024 at its second reading,” Wandayi stated.

While echoing Ichung’wah’s call for more time allocation, Wandayi also told the house that they will have ample time to consider amendments made by the senate to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bill.

Wandayi noted that two constituencies currently lack representation thus stressing the urgency of filling them through proper legislative procedures.

“We will also have time to consider Senate amendments to the IEBC Bill, we have two constituencies without representation. It is in order that we approve this motion,” Wandayi added.

Tabling of Finance Bill

The Finance Bill 2024 is set to be tabled on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, by the National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Kimani Kuria.

Speaking earlier during the Kenya Kwanza parliamentary group meeting, Kuria informed the nation that some contentious issues contained in the Finance Bill 2024 have been dropped.

Among other changes, the ruling party announced that 16 per cent VAT on bread has been removed and the VAT on the transportation of sugar has also been removed.

Kuria announced that VAT on financial services and foreign exchange transactions has also been removed.

National Assembly Finance Committee Chairperson Kuria Kimani further disclosed that there will be no increase in mobile money transfers. He said the contentious issue of 2.5 percent Motor Vehicle Tax that had been proposed has also been removed as well as the excise duty on vegetable oil.

“It is crucial to point out that Eco Levy is being levied on imported finished products. Locally manufactured products will, therefore, not attract the Eco Levy. Locally assembly and manufacturing will help boost Kenya’s manufacturing capacity, create jobs, and save foreign exchange,” the Molo MP stated.

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