By Francis Kioko
Date 20th June 2024
In a dramatic parliamentary session this evening, the Kenya National Assembly passed the Finance Bill 2024 with a significant majority. The bill, which has sparked widespread protests across the country, garnered 204 votes in favor and 115 against, allowing it to proceed to its second reading.
The voting atmosphere in the assembly was notably tense, with MPs who supported the bill expressing their votes in low tones, while those opposed made their dissent loudly known. This contrast in voting behavior underscored the deep divisions within the assembly and among the Kenyan populace.
The bill’s passage comes against a backdrop of nationwide peaceful demonstrations, with Kenyans in all 47 counties urging their MPs to reject what many are calling a punitive piece of legislation. Protesters argue that the bill introduces additional taxes at a time when many Kenyans are struggling to afford basic necessities. The demonstrations have been marked by a high degree of public dissatisfaction, with many citizens feeling that the bill fails to address their immediate economic hardships.
As news of the bill’s progression broke, public reactions were swift and severe. Many Kenyans criticized the 204 MPs who voted in favor, accusing them of prioritizing their own interests over those of their constituents. In contrast, the 115 MPs who voted against the bill were praised for standing with the people and rejecting a measure seen as exacerbating the country’s economic woes.
In Kitui County, the response was particularly vocal. Residents expressed outrage towards Kitui East legislator Nimrod Mbai and Kitui South MP Rachel Kaki, who both voted in favor of the bill despite their constituents’ appeals to reject it. Kitui locals condemned these MPs for what they perceived as a betrayal, vowing to remember their actions come the 2027 elections .
Conversely, MPs from the larger Mwingi area, including Hon. Mulyungi, Hon. Nguna, Hon. Nzengu, and Hon. Irene Kasalu, along with Kitui Central’s Hon. Makali Mulu, Kitui Rural’s Mwalika Mboni, and Kitui West’s Hon. Vethi Nyenze , were lauded for voting against the bill. Their decision was seen as aligning with the voices of their electorate, earning them widespread applause across Kitui County.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, police have resorted to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in major towns. Some protesters have been injured, highlighting the tensions between law enforcement and the public exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
MPs who voted against the bill have vowed to continue their fight, pledging to push for the bill’s total withdrawal. They expressed dissatisfaction with their colleagues who supported the bill, accusing them of ignoring the plight of ordinary Kenyans.
As the Finance Bill 2024 advances to its second reading, the government faces a growing wave of public dissent. Kenyans, undeterred by the initial setback, are determined to keep up their demonstrations, demanding a finance bill that truly addresses their needs and alleviates their burdens. The coming days will be crucial as the nation watches how its leaders respond to the people’s call for economic justice.
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