Kenya’s opposition coalition has withdrawn all the changes it had proposed President William Ruto’s new tax measures as Parliament continued debate on the contentious Finance Bill 2024 on Tuesday.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula informed the House that the Raila Odinga-led Azimio La Moja One-Kenya Alliance had recalled all the 13 amendments it had floated.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said they took the decision because their proposals could change “nothing”, as he pushed for total rejection of the bill.
It was an “exercise in futility” because you cannot amend a “bad bill”, he said.
This even as Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed those rescinding their proposals to the Finance Bill, 2024 to do so in writing, which he would approve.
The bill currently in the committee of the whole House has been reduced to a government affair as Azimio MPs, joined by some Kenya Kwanza colleagues and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, steer clear of the exercise.
Consideration of the Bill at the Third Reading presided over by Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei kicked off with proposals in the Finance and Planning committee report moved by chairperson Kuria Kimani.
Earlier, Mr Wetang’ula informed the House that 13 amendments had been dropped out of the 37 filed by members as per last Thursday 1pm deadline.
Those who dropped their amendments include MPs Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Makali Mulu (Kitui Central), Wamuchomba, Millie Odhiambo (Suba North), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Paul Nzengu (Mwingi North), Samuek Atandi (Alego/Usonga), Caleb Hamisi (Saboti), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba) and Irene Mayaka (nominated).
“I have received notice that the following members have decided to withdraw their amendments to the bill notwithstanding my approval or the position of the committee during the winnowing period,” Mr Wetang’ula told the House.
According to the speaker, others were Robert Mbui (Kathiani) and Joshua Kimila Kivindu (Kaiti).
But it didn’t stop here. During the plenary session after Mr Wetang’ula’s communication, MPs John Mbadi (nominated), T.J Kajwang’ (Ruaraka) and Junet Mohammed (Suna East) joined the growing list of MPs opposed to the bill.
Immediately after conveying his message, Mr Wandayi rose on a point of order to justify their position giving the committee of the whole stage a wide berth.
“It was going to sanitise a process that we have since declared flawed. We came to this painful decision to have these amendments dropped because prosecuting them was going to be in vain. It was going to be a futile exercise,” said Wandayi.
The Ugunja MP asked the speaker to take cognisant of the huge number of amendments that have been dropped.
“If you can clearly see, those amendments have been dropped, emanated entirely from the members of the Azimio coalition and this was as a result of extensive deliberations, and consultations that we had within ourselves,” he stated.
“Don’t go that route because I won’t allow you. Out of 37 amendments, 13 have been withdrawn. These are individuals’ amendments. They are not amendments of the minority party. Neither are they amendments sponsored by anybody other than the individual members,” stated Mr Wetang’ula.
Mr Kajwang’ stated, “I wish to withdraw my amendments. My amendment stands withdrawn.”
Similarly, Mr Mbadi formally dropped his proposed amendments on clause 48 of the bill.
Mr Mohamed, who also doubles as the minority whip, in withdrawing his amendment, informed the speaker of the opposition’s stand on the matter.
“To ensure orderly business of the House, the minority held a parliamentary group meeting yesterday (June 24th) and formally, we have agreed the minority side withdraw all amendments,” Mr Mohamed informed the House.
He gave judicial notice to the finance and planning committee chairman that every member, in accordance with the law, would withdraw their amendments.
“We reject this bill in totality,” Mr Mohamed added.
“Indeed everyone has the right to withdraw the amendments. I took a position that you cannot amend a bad bill,” stressed Mr Amollo.
