The controversial Finance Bill will be tabled in parliament today Tuesday June 18. In preparation for that, the president has convened a party meeting for the Kenya Kwanza Members of Parliament to cause them to vote in solidarity. This as majority whip Sylvanus Osoro declared that the stand of Kenya Kwanza is to vote yes.
“Kenyans raised issues with bread. I can say with certainty that that has been considered. We haven’t read the report yet, by the committee, but word from our colleagues in that finance committee have said that they have considered dropping the proposal on the bread,” Sylvanus said.
Sylvanus notably said the bill will only be passed by parliament with key amendments including removal of taxation on bread, vegetable oils, internet, money transfer services and motor vehicles. This despite his stance that the bill will be passed.
“But numbers do not lie, we are in the same house, we are in the same floor. We will adjust, and this we say with tremendous humility to Kenyans, we will adjust anything that we consider as too punitive. But we will not vote no, we will vote yes.”
A section of Kenya Kwanza MPs have publicly come out to say they will vote no. One such MP is David Ochieng’ of the Movement for Democracy and Growth which is allied to Kenya Kwanza.
As this happens, the Occupy Parliament protests are still on. The protests have been organized by activist Boniface Mwangi to serve as a means for Kenyans to show that they are against the Finance Bill 2024. They are set to begin at midday. The announced dress code was black. Protesters are urged to carry a bottle of water, a handkerchief and a placard.
According to local media reports, the police have termed the demonstrations as illegal. The Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei said police have been deployed to ensure that any gatherings are dispersed.
With all this going on, Boniface Mwangi assured protesters that police will respect their right to protest. We continue to keep an eye on the situation to bring you the latest as it happens.