Parliament considers aligning Finance Bill to counties
Parliament on Friday, June 21, 2024, considered a bill seeking to align the National Assembly's debates on Finance Bills with those of 47 county governments.
The bill sponsored by Kikuyu MP and leader of the Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah seeks to amend the Public Finance Management Act of 2012 by harmonizing the process of enacting Finance Bills across all legislative bodies.
The principal object of the Bill is to align the timelines for the passing and consideration of the Finance Bill by the County Assemblies and the National Assembly.
Additionally, the bill seeks to amend section 129 (2) (a) of the Act to provide clarity in the harmonization of the timelines for both a County Assembly and the National Assembly.
Parliament aligned with counties
If enacted, the Bill will also introduce a new section 131A that will have the procedures of submission, consideration and passing of the Finance Bill in the National Assembly replicated in the County Assemblies.
"County Executive Committee member for finance shall submit to the County Assembly, on or before 30th April, the County Finance Bill setting out the revenue measures for the County Government," the bill reads in part.
Following submissions of the County Finance Bill by the County Executive Committee member for finance, the relevant committee of the County Assembly shall introduce the Bill in the County Assembly.
Consequently, the County Assembly shall consider and pass the County Finance Bill, with or without amendments, in time for it to be presented for assent by 30th June each year.
Any recommendations made by the relevant committee of the County Assembly resolution passed by the County Assembly on revenue matters shall ensure the total amount of revenue raised is consistent with the approved fiscal framework.
The recommendations must also consider the principles of equity, certainty ease of collection and the impact of the proposed changes on the composition of the tax revenue regarding direct and indirect taxes among other variables.
This comes after Parliament okayed the contentious Finance Bill 2024 through the second reading after 204 members of parliament voted in favour.
The bill saw widespread protests led by the youth throughout major cities in the country, with the participants expressing their displeasure with the proposed tax increases.
A protestor was shot dead during the demonstrations and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the matter.
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