VISUALISED: Names & Number Of MPs And How They Voted On Finance Bill
Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MPs had for the better part of the day locked horns during the second reading over proposals in the Bill, with the most contentious clause being the Housing levy.
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The controversial Finance Bill 2023 sailed through the Second Reading on Wednesday, June 14 following a spirited debate in the National Assembly pitting lawmakers from both the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja coalitions.
The Bill is now set for the Committee of the Whole House stage (the Third Reading) set for Tuesday, June 20, 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 to be Bill and a vote is taken on each.
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS) Njuguna Ndung’u will present the budget speech on Thursday, June 15.
The National Assembly in session on June 14, 2023. /PARLIAMENT OF KENYA
At least 176 Members of Parliament (MP) voted in favour of the Finance Bill and 81 lawmakers opposed it, with no abstentions as was announced in the National Assembly.
However, Mzalendo Watch thereafter made public its list of MPs who voted for and against the bill, with 162 MPs voting in favour of the Bill and 74 against it.
24 were absent during the voting with four MPs including nominated MP, Sabina Chege suspended, with the watchdog stating that "The other members that do not appear on the list were either locked out of the chambers during division on the Bill or were not in attendance at all. This list will be shared once accessed and verified."
Hover to see the number of MPs who voted for and against the Finance Bill:
Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MPs had for the better part of the day locked horns during the second reading over proposals in the Bill, with the most contentious clause being the Housing levy.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, who is a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition elected under the UDA Party, told Parliament that she would defy President William Ruto and oppose the Bill.
“Mr Speaker, I went all over Githunguri and I was told to vote no for the bill. This bill is scandalous it is punitive,” she said.
While Wamuchomba won plaudits from the opposition, Kenya Kwanza was unable to change her mind from opposing the Bill which she believed carried risks towards Kenyans.
"It is murder to double VAT on fuel products from 8% to 16%.
"It means the cost of basic commodities like bread will go up from Ksh70 to Ksh120, and the price of bus fare and everything that is transported will go up. The cost of living will go up and you will remember me," she added ahead of voting no.
The former Kiambu woman representative declared that she would not be intimidated by those branding her with bad names and even said she was ready to lose her seat for standing for the interests of many Kenyans.
Wamuchomba's decision to cross the floor didn't stop Kenya Kwanza lawmakers from mounting pressure to have the bill sail through.
“Let us not lie to Kenyans. We will pass this bill because we do not want to dig a hole of debts for our people,” Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa pleaded.
Another rare instance was Nairobi Woman Representative, Esther Passaris, voting in favour of the Bill even though she was actively playing in the Azimio la Umoja team.
The opposition had whipped its members to reject the Bill in its entirety despite several concessions by the Kenya Kwanza counterparts and that those who violate the coalition resolution will face disciplinary action.
It also warned of a potential court battle should Kenya Kwanza take advantage of its numbers to pass the Bill.
“You must listen to us on this and if you use the majority to pass this Bill, there are still the courts, and if you use the courts, there are the people,” Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo threatened.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo during an Azimio la Umoja press briefing on May 30, 2023. /FACEBOOK.OTIENDE AMOLLO
In the event Azimio heads to court, it would join Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah who is seeking nullification of 13 provisions of the Bill, terming them unconstitutional.
Top of the concessions made in the amended Bill is the Housing Levy contribution by employers and employees which has been reduced from 3 to 1.5 per cent.
The National Assembly Committee on Finance and Planning also slashed the withholding tax for Digital creators from 15 per cent to 3 per cent.
20 per cent VAT on Gaming and Betting has been reduced to 12.5 per cent while the mandatory 20 per cent of the contested amount deposited to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for lodging Tax Appeal has been repealed.
Tax Rental Income has also been reduced from 10 per cent to 7.5 per cent. However, the Finance Committee retained the 16 per cent proposal on petroleum products.
Here is the interactive table showing the names of MPs and how they voted on the Finance Bill:
