Azimio Plots To Have Open Voting On Finance Bill 2023

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka revealed on Friday, May 26 that the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition will push for an open ballot system on the contentious Finance Bill 2023.

While speaking during a prayer meeting at the Yatta Farm, Kalonzo disclosed that the method would involve a Member of Parliament (MP)'s name called out with the lawmaker being accorded the opportunity to respond affirmatively to the proposals.

This, he said, would make it clear to Kenyans whether they are representing their best interests at heart while in their positions, or after their own interests.

Kalonzo Musyoka (Centre) leads a Prayer Meeting at his Yatta Farm in Machakos on Friday, May 26, 2023. /KALONZO MUSYOKA

"We will push for an open voting method where one name is called out and he or she openly affirms yes or no. Kenyans want to know whether the MPs are with them or against them...either we are going to achieve Vision 2030 or we are going to completely ruin the future of this country through impossible taxation," Kalonzo addressed.

He however asked lawmakers affiliated with both Azimio and the Kenya Kwanza alliance to stand in unison against the proposals suggested in the Finance Bill.

"The Finance Bill is a clear affirmation of their falsehoods and we ask all members of parliament regardless of their coalition affiliations to stand with the people of Kenya and reject the bill in its totality line by line," he appealed.

At the same time, Azimio leader, Raila Odinga, who was in attendance at the prayer meeting, advised President William Ruto to seek lessons from him regarding the Housing Levy, one of the proposals contained in the Finance Bill which requires all employees to contribute 3 per cent of their monthly salary and every employee who contributes 3 per cent, to their employer will also contribute 3 per cent to the housing kitty.

"I have knowledge of Housing Levy, they should have come to me for lessons. I would have taught them because they do not know," Raila said.

The former Prime Minister accused Ruto of frustrating Kenyans with additional taxes amidst a struggling economy and that he should have been consulted in advance on the Housing Levy, claiming to have extensive knowledge of it.

"You cannot introduce an additional tax when the economy is in depression, you can't do it. Where did you get the three per cent from?

"If you are saying it is an investment, how about the employer? What is the employer investing in?" Raila posed.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader termed the additional tax of three per cent tax to the employer as unsustainable and that there will not be taxation on Kenyans without representation.

Raila reiterated his threat of resuming nationwide demonstrations should Parliament pass the Bill, which is currently under the public participation stage. 

After Kenyans take part in public participation, the Finance Bill will be tabled in Parliament before it is passed or opposed by members of the National Assembly. 

“We have told Ruto that he needs to rectify things in his budget or else he knows what will be able to do next,” he said.

President Ruto has been actively mobilizing support in Parliament to ensure the timely passage of his first budget, scheduled for reading on June 15, 2023. He continues to rally his allies, working in overdrive, to secure the necessary support for the successful passage of the budget bill during the upcoming parliamentary debate.

The target approval date for the bill is June 30, 2023, despite some of the proposals being subject to nationwide uproar.