Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has criticized the government’s presentation of the Finance Bill’s options and choices in Parliament, describing the process as misleading.

Speaking in a local media house on Monday, June 24, 2024, Sifuna explained the legislative process, highlighting the importance of the third reading stage, where clauses are voted on individually.

“Chairman is being very sly with the way he is presenting the options and choices going to be formed in parliament. It might be my first time in parliament, but I understand the standing orders,” he said, addressing the chairperson of the Finance Committee MP Kuria Kiman.

Adding;

“In committee of the whole in the third reading stage, is the only stage where clauses are voted one by one. But that is not the final vote. After all the amendments have been passed or there is a final bill on the entire bill as amended, and at that particular point, an MP has an option of voting no. And this is where we want our MPs to vote on the final bill as amended to be no,” Sifuna stated.

“Why should the people take it to the streets for you to come and tell us you’ve spent the whole night thinking about removing tax on bread?” Sifuna questioned.

Sifuna called on Members of Parliament to heed the voice of the citizens and reject the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

Sifuna also emphasized the opposition’s efforts to reject the bill noting that their main focus is to listen to the needs of the citizens.

“I want the people in the streets rejecting the Finance Bill to understand that out of 115 who voted No, 108 were from the Azimio Coalition, 73 were from ODM. We don’t want to take advantage of young people, but we are listening to them,” he said.

ODM MPs to be recalled

On June 20, 2024, Sifuna, who also serves as the Secretary General of the ODM Party, announced that disciplinary measures would be taken against the MPs within the party who supported the Finance Bill 2024.

“As SG of ODM I will be recommending to the Party NEC that we initiate recalls in one or two constituencies held by some of those who went against the wishes of the people,” Sifuna stated.

Following the vote on Tuesday, the Bill will move to the Committee of the whole House for the review of proposed amendments.

The Committee includes all members of the National Assembly.

“Members, the matter of the Finance Bill is now over, we wait for the committee of the whole. Those who have amendments to file, the clerk and his team will process those amendments,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangu’la said.

Finance Bill protests

Kenyans from various regions mobilized on Thursday, June 20, 2024, to protest against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.

This marked the second day of protests within the week, aimed at urging Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against the bill.

Demonstrations gathered strength in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, and Nyeri, with participants demanding that the Kenya Kwanza government withdraw the bill entirely rather than make piecemeal amendments.

In Nairobi, residents began demonstrating as early as 6 am in the Central Business District and near Parliament, carrying placards with the hashtag #RejectFinanceBill2024.

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