National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has issued directives to the House regarding the Finance Bill 2024.
In a statement on Thursday, June 27, Wetangula said he presented the bill to President William Ruto on Tuesday, June 25, for approval.
“The National Assembly considered and passed the Finance Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 30 of 2024) on 25th June 2024, following which presented the Bill to the President for Assent,” he said.
However, he noted that the president referred the bill back to Parliament and gave the way forward to all the Members of Parliament (MPs).
“The President’s Memorandum constitutes rejection of the bill in its entirety and that the decision is informed by the need to reflect the voice of the people of Kenya who have rejected the Bill,” he said.
Finance Committee to Consider Ruto’s Proposal
Wetangula referred the bill to Finance Committee for consideration since the National Assembly is on recess.
In a message to all MPs and the public, the Speaker directed the Committee to deliberate on the president’s considerations and report to the House after the break.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 42(2) and (3), I hereby refer the President’s Memorandum of Referral in respect of the Finance Bill to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning,” he said.
“The Committee is required to expeditiously commence consideration of the President’s Memorandum, its reservations and recommendation, and report to the House at the next regular sitting upon its resumption.” MPs to be Info
MPs to be Formally Informed
Besides, Wetangula directed the National Assembly Clerks to inform the MPs about the move and facilitate the Committee during the exercise.
“The Clerk is directed to circulate this Notification to all Members of the National Assembly, and accordingly facilitate the Committee to undertake the exercise; and prepare the necessary Message for formal conveyance to the House upon its resumption,” directed the Speaker.
He explained any Member desirous of negating the President’s reservations or reviving any of the 69 Clauses of the Bill is required to marshal the votes of at least two-thirds of the Members of the National Assembly, being 233 Members.
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Ruto Withdraws Finance Bill
In a press briefing on Wednesday, June 26, President Ruto announced that he has withdrawn the bill in entirety in line with the demands of the people.
Ruto said he would not assent to thend proposd the holding of a multisectoral stakeholdr engagement within the next two weeks to discuss matters relating to the content of the bill.
The President’s speech was followed by a memorandum to Speaker Wetangula regarding his position on the bill.
In the memorandum, President Ruto confirmed that the Finance Bill, 2024, was presented to him for Presidential Assent in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution on Wednesday, 26th of June.
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However, he declined to sign the bill and reffered the bill back to the National Assembly asking for deletion of all the clauses contained in it.
“Taking into consideration the widespread expression of dissatisfaction by members of the public on the contents of the Finance Bill, 2024,” read the memorandum in parts.
“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred to me by Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution and having reservations on the contents of the Bill in its entirety, I decline to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024, and refer the Bill for reconsideration by the National Assembly with the recommendation for the deletion of all the clauses thereof.”
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