The Azimio coalition is calling for the withdrawal of the Finance bill 2023 saying it has failed the inclusivity test.
A parliamentary group meeting of the Azimio la Umoja party, chaired by their leader Raila Odinga, resolved that the bill as currently drafted must be withdrawn in totality.
According to the coalition, the finance Bill 2023 should instead be re-introduced in a manner that resonates with the plight of Kenyans.
Dubbed as among the most radical in the country’s history, the bill, which was tabled before the national assembly on May 4th for the first reading, has ignited varied reactions with civil servants’ unions threatening to stage a strike if the government fails to shelve a proposal to deduct a three percent levy on their salaries as a mandatory contribution to a housing fund as contained in the Finance Bill 2023.
Following the end of public participation, spearheaded by the departmental committee on finance and national planning, on the bill last Sunday, it is expected that issues of concern by the different stakeholders who participated in the exercise will be considered in amending the bill as part of public participation. It will then be tabled before Parliament for debate before it is signed into law by end of June with the proposals expected to take effect on 1 July 2023 after assent by the President.
The Bill has a timeline of approval of 30th June to coincide with the enactment of the Appropriation Law, 2023. It contains (84) clauses seeks to amend various tax laws and other related statutes to better the operations of financial sector as well as enhanced measures for raising national revenue.
The parliamentary meeting also upheld the suspension of the bipartisan talks between the government and the opposition aimed at addressing contentious issues. Representatives of the coalition in the talks had accused the government of not being sincere in addressing substantive issues including lowering the cost of living, audit of electoral commission servers, interference with its affiliate parties and the reconstitution of IEBC.
The meeting also resolved to have Embakasi West MP Hon. Mark Mwenje replace nominated MP Sabina Chege as the minority deputy whip Hon following the latter’s decision to shift her allegiance to the ruling Kenya kwanza coalition.
