Finance Bill 2023 Surges Ahead: Overwhelming Support as 176 MPs Back, 81 Oppose in Second Reading
The contentious Finance Bill 2023 breezed through the Second Reading stage of the legislative process with the support of 176 members of Parliament, as opposed to the opposition of 81 members.
The Bill will now proceed to the stage known as the Committee of the Whole House. During this stage, the entire House will convene in the form of a Committee to examine the Bill clause by clause.
During the stage that takes place in the Committee of the Whole House, any proposed amendments to the Bill are put up for a vote, and a vote is taken on each.
While this was going on, members of parliament from Kenya Kwanza and Azimio butted heads during the second reading of the bill over a number of its proposed amendments, the housing levy being one of the most contentious.
Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba, who is a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition and was elected under the UDA Party, has stated that she will defy the position taken by President William Ruto and oppose the Bill. Wamuchomba was elected under the banner of the UDA Party.
“Mr. Speaker, I went all over Githunguri, and every single person I spoke with advised me to vote against the bill… “This bill is so reprehensible, and it is also punitive,” she said.
ALSO READ: Raila Takes a Stand: Vows to Lead Protests Against ‘Punitive’ Finance Bill
However, the decision of Wamuchomba to switch sides did not dampen the spirit of Kenya Kwanza lawmakers who continued to put pressure on for the bill to pass.
“Let us not lie to Kenyans. According to the statements made by Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wa, “We will pass this bill because we do not want to dig a hole of debts for our people.”
Silvanus Osoro stated that “this finance bill has taken care of everything,” including farm inputs to boost food security. “This bill has taken care of everything,”
Finance Bill 2023 Surges Ahead: Overwhelming Support as 176 MPs Back, 81 Oppose in Second Reading
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