Kenya Kwanza MP gave me money for Finance Bill petition - Okiya Omtatah
Activist and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. | FILE
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah says a Member of Parliament allied to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza Alliance offered him money
for the paperwork he did while preparing to lodge a petition against the
Finance Bill 2023 in court.
Omtatah on Friday filed a case
challenging some sections of the contentious bill, arguing that they
threaten the right to property, and access to justice, as well as violating the constitution
in general.
The Finance Bill 2023 proposes a 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel and a housing
fund, among other levies, as the Kenya Kwanza government seeks to raise more money from Kenyans.
The bill has been met with opposition from Azimio La Umoja
One Kenya coalition-allied legislators, but Omtatah says some legislators from
Ruto’s faction are in opposition to the bill.
“It is not Azimio alone. Many Kenya
Kwanza MPs whom I cannot name have approached me (to say they do not support
the bill). One is a frontline legislator in Kenya Kwanza who has even given me
Ksh.10,000 as support for all the photocopying I did because I am saving them,”
the senator said in a Monday night interview with NTV.
According to Omtatah, support for the
Finance Bill, 2023 is not about political allegiance but adherence to the
constitution.
“I am not a member of Azimio, but I agree
with the stance Azimio has taken. If Kenya Kwanza takes a stance I agree with,
I will also support them. It is all about constitutionalism and I am happy to
have Azimio’s backing on this issue,” he said.
His sentiments followed President Ruto’s
comments on Sunday that he is waiting
to see any MP who will shut down the bill in parliament.
Omtatah termed this a sign that Ruto knows all too well that not everyone in this camp supports him on his proposed tax regime, telling NTV: “His tough words show you that he is aware his house is not together, and that is why he has resorted to threats.”
He says the petition raises substantial issues of law and the file should be forwarded to the Chief Justice to appoint a bench of judges to hear and determine the matter.
According to the lawmaker, imposing the 3 per cent housing levy on Kenyans will amount to a gross violation of national values.
Omtatah’s
case has since been certified as urgent. Meanwhile,
the 2023/2024 budget is set to be tabled before Parliament on June 15.
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