Finance Bill to be tabled in Parliament as Kenyans demonstrate over controversial draft law

As the Finance Committee prepares to table their report on the 2024 Finance Bill on Tuesday, pressure is continuing to mount on the Executive and Legislature to drop controversial tax proposals contained in the bill.

To galvanise the Kenya Kwanza coalition members ahead of its tabling, the ruling coalition has called for a parliamentary group meeting to strategize.

The convener of the meeting, the National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro says even as they meet, they are alive to demands by Kenyans for the removal of controversial tax measures.

In what might be a relief for taxpayers, Osoro confirms that the committee is considering amendments to taxation on bread and vegetable oils, Motor Vehicle Circulation Tax, internet and money transfer services which were objected to by a majority of Kenyans during the public participation exercise.

“I can guarantee you that some of the contentious clauses such as zero-rating VAT on bread have been removed... There is debate on the motor vehicle tax as to whether to lower or retain its implementation. But we must pass the bill to finance the budget, albeit not in its entirety,” said Osoro.

Even as they listen to the demands of Kenyans, the coalition party says it was ready to take on the opposition coalition during the debate and vote on the controversial bill to wade off imaginary condemnation of the bill in its entirety.

“Numbers do not lie...the bill will pass but with adjustments… Kenyans must also understand that the budget must be financed. Even opposition MPs want it passed to facilitate their salaries,” Osoro added.

Speaking in Kakamega during a Delegates meeting, the leader of the Movement for Democracy and Growth, allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition, David Ochieng,' stated that a section of MPs in Kenya Kwanza will oppose the bill when it comes to the floor of the House.

“We are showing up tomorrow at ‘Occupy Parliament’ no matter what. It’s also important to note that there is no leader for #RejectFinancialBill2024; it’s a movement of the people against over-taxation. We will not pass a bill that is punitive to taxpayers. We reject this bill,” Ochieng’ said.

Organizers of the ‘Occupy Parliament’ demonstrations scheduled on Tuesday to protest against the Finance Bill 2024 finalized strategies to execute the planned Sit-in outside Parliament buildings.

Activist Boniface Mwangi said: “We will be all over the CBD to protest against the punitive taxes.”

“We want Kenyans this week to camp outside parliament buildings and call out their leaders attempting to pass the Finance Bill 2024,” added Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino.