Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji Reverses Stance on Finance Bill 2024, Apologizes to President Ruto for Voting NO
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, a close associate of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has reversed his stance on the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
Mukunji initially voted against the bill and publicly defended his decision on June 25 amid Gen Z protests.
However, in Embu, where he accompanied President William Ruto, Mukunji apologized to the President for his vote.
He expressed regret for his actions and sought forgiveness.
“I want to apologize because your Excellency, I’m one of your mentees. You have put me on the leadership path and Your Excellency you never told me when you make a mistake you are kept out of the eldership,” he stated.
Mukunji used the moment to reaffirm his support for the President.
Ruto was in Embu County for a development tour.
Previously, Mukunji defended his decision to oppose the bill, stating it was in the nation’s best interest.
On Tuesday, June 25, 195 MPs defied public outcry and voted to pass the Finance Bill, 2024, outnumbering the ‘No’ camp which garnered 105 votes.
The decision enraged protesters, who continued to march in the streets against the bill and its proposed tax measures.
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Protesters breached security, stormed Parliament, vandalized furniture, and set part of the House on fire, resulting in fatalities.
The following day, Ruto refused to assent to the bill and returned it to Parliament, instructing MPs to remove all clauses. They complied.
Mukunji stated that as a member of the ruling UDA party, he must be honest with the President and his deputy, noting public opposition to the bill.
After Ruto’s move to reject the bill, several other MPs have also apologized to their constituents for supporting it.
These include David Gikaria (Nakuru Town East), John Kiarie (Dagoreti South), and Joseph Namuar (Turkana Central).
Nyali’s Mohamed Ali and Alfred Mutai (Kuresoi North), among others, defended their decision to vote ‘Yes’.
“I cannot apologize but only pray for you to open your eyes and see the way so that you can realize that we were fighting for more money to push for development in our regions and admit more students to our fee payment programs,” Ali said.
During a media roundtable on June 30, Ruto praised the legislators who withstood public pressure and voted ‘Yes,’ calling them the ‘true heroes of Kenya’.
“MPs are the representatives of the people, they are not fools and are not mad, and I’m going to say, that one day Kenya will know that the MPs who voted yes are the true heroes of Kenya,” he said.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji Reverses Stance on Finance Bill 2024, Apologizes to President Ruto for Voting NO
