By Dorothy Musyoka
The Finance Bill, 2024 has passed the second reading stage with 204 Members of Parliament voting to approve it against 115 who rejected it with no abstention recorded.
Today, the Kenyan National Assembly held a crucial vote on the Finance Bill 2024, which has been a subject of intense debate and public scrutiny.
The bill, which aims to implement various tax measures to raise KSh 302 billion in additional revenue for the fiscal year 2024-2025, passed its second reading in Parliament despite widespread protests and opposition from various sectors of society.
The vote saw a significant turnout of MPs, with the bill now proceeding to the Committee of the whole House for consideration of proposed amendments.
“Members, the matter of the Finance Bill are now over, we wait for the committe of the whole, those who have amendments to file, clerk and his team will process those amendments,” National Assembly Speaker Wetangu’la reiterated.
The Committee of the Whole House will on Tuesday 25th June 2024 review all proposed amendments and vote on each one. Following this, the Bill will proceed to the final stage for the Third Reading, where MPs will cast their votes.
Read more:http://The Finance Bill 2024 Sails Through Second Reading After 204 Ayes And 115 Nayes
The decision to pass the bill has been met with continued protests. Activists, led by figures like Boniface Mwangi, organized demonstrations under the banner “Occupy Parliament,” expressing their dissatisfaction with the proposed taxes, which they argue will disproportionately affect lower-income Kenyans.
The passage of the bill came after extensive public participation, where the Finance Committee, led by Molo MP Kuria Kimani, conducted hearings across 20 counties to gather feedback from various stakeholders.
The Finance Bill 2024’s progression underscores the ongoing tension between the need for increased government revenue and the public’s resistance to higher taxes amidst economic challenges.
The outcome of the committee’s review and the final vote will be crucial in determining the bill’s ultimate impact on the Kenyan economy and its citizens.