Kenya Kwanza and Opposition MPs clashed in Parliament on Wednesday as they debated Finance Bill 2024, before voting on Tuesday next week.
MPs from both sides aired their views on the now controversial Finance Bill that is aimed at financing the 4.2 trillion budget.
While the opposition said the bill should be rejected in totality as it was punitive in nature, the ruling coalition reiterated that the bill should be passed as most of the controversial clause have been dropped.
Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah rallied for the approval of the proposed taxes pointing out that the Eco levy tax will ensure growth of local manufacturing industries.
“What is wrong with us protecting our manufacturing? To the young people mobilized send messages to MPs, this Finance Bill is about creating jobs for you,” Ichung’wah said.
Ichung’wah said the Finance Bill seeks to address the loopholes by exploiting tax refunds.
His Deputy Owen Baya warned that shooting down the proposals in the Finance Bill will interfere with the financing of budget which is set to benefit Kenyans.
“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,” he said.
However, National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed insisted that despite some punitive proposals in the bill having been dropped, the Bill is still subjecting Kenyans to harsh economic situation.
“How many times are we going to change the process of taxation in this country? We are discussing economic growth, you want to tell me this kind of Bill will enhance economic growth in this country? Is that what we are telling Kenyans? ” Mohammed queried.
Meanwhile, activists most of them the youth engaged police in running battle for the better part of the day calling out MP’s to reject the Finance Bill 2024.
The now famous Gen. Z held a peaceful procession along Moi Avenue until they reached Fontanella round about along Nkurumah Road where they were battled by Police officers.
They insisted that they will not back down until MP’s shoot down the Finance Bill since it is punitive in nature.
Meanwhile, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Professor Njuguna Ndung’u has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly to slash the 4.2 trillion shilling budget by Ksh178 billion, in anticipating a failure of the Bill to sail through.
