Mt. Kenya region the big beneficiary of Finance Bill 2023, Gachagua says

According to DP Gachagua, the Finance Bill has mounted focus on revamping a steady production of the three fundamental products generating income for residents residing in the region; coffee, tea and milk.

Speaking during a Farmers Field Day in Githunguri, Kiambu County on Saturday, DP Gachagua noted that the region will also benefit from the huge budget allocation on road and infrastructure development.

"If there is a region that has been considered in the Finance Bill it's Mount Kenya. To start with, barabara zetu zoe za Mau mau zilisimama kwa sababu hakuna pesa. Pia Kiambu, Githunguri zilisimama. In this year's budget we have put Ksh.250 billion and now our roads will continue to be built," he said.

"Here in Mt.Kenya, we are great beneficiaries of the Finance Bill. Matters related to animal feeds have been zero-rated, the price will reduce and farmers will benefit. We have also scrapped VAT on tea and also zero-rated tea packaging."

The second in command further noted that he will be on a mission to eliminate brokers stationed across the region, who encourage price hikes in the production and sale of the products.

The bill sailed through the Second Reading stage in the National Assembly on June 14, with 176 Members of Parliament supporting it against 81 who opposed it.

The Bill is now set for the Committee of the Whole House stage, where the whole House will seat in the form of a Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

At the Committee of the whole House stage, any proposed amendments are made and a vote taken on each.

It will then proceed to the report stage where the House will also vote on the report. Members are allowed to move the House to resolve into a Committee again to reconsider any contentious clauses in the bill.

If the members vote in one accord, the bill passes to a third reading where the final vote is taken and if passed, it will be presented to the President for assent.