Finance Bill 2024 Nullified After Public Outcry and Protests
In a dramatic turn of events, the contentious Finance Bill 2024 has been effectively nullified after Members of Parliament agreed with President William Ruto’s reservations to delete all clauses in the bill. The decision comes after widespread public outcry and protests across the country, which left over 60 people dead.
Temporary Speaker Martha Wangari clarified the outcome, stating that the bill has been rejected in its entirety, and no provision contained in the bill shall have any legal effect. The Speaker further explained that the legislative process for the controversial bill has concluded, and no version of the bill will be forwarded to the President for assent.
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah expressed regret over the bill’s rejection, suggesting that Kenyans might miss out on some beneficial provisions. However, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu urged a straightforward acceptance of the President’s recommendations without further debate.
The bill’s rejection comes after thousands of young Kenyans protested last month, accusing President Ruto of imposing the legislation on them. In response to the public outcry, President Ruto announced that the bill would be withdrawn to allow for dialogue and a collective approach to financing the current budget.
The Finance Bill is typically a key piece of legislation that consolidates various proposed taxation measures intended to raise additional revenue to support the national budget. With the bill now nullified, it remains to be seen how the government will proceed with financing its budget.
