National Assembly Speaker (NA) Moses Wetangula on Thursday June 26 gave a detailed way forward after President William Ruto rejecred the Finance Bill 2024 and sent it back to Parliament.
In his decision, the head of state said that despite the good will of the government and the need to solve different issues that Kenyans are facing including the need for healthcare and development, he had to listen to the cries of Kenyans.
The president’s statement came after anti-finance bill mass protests that took place in most counties, leaving the country in a state of panic and mayhem.
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly they want nothing to do with the finance bill 2024, I concede and therefore will not sign the bill, and it shall therefore be withdrawn. I have agreed with MP’s that it becomes our collective position,” Ruto said.
Wetangula gives direction
Likewise, he signed a memorandum dated 26th, June,2024 referring the finance bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration with reservations recommending the deletion of the 69 clauses of the now with-drawn bill.
Also Read: Ruto Withdraws Finance Bill 2024, Gives Way Forward
Ruto’s declaration spark questions among Kenyans not knowing the way forward for the country with a new financial year only days away.
Can Clauses in the Financial Bill be Revived?
Any member of parliament (MP) who negates the President’s reservations or tries to revive any of the sixty-nine (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.
In regard to this, the National assembly had a special meeting on 27th, July,2024, where the speaker presented Memorandum to the house which referred it back to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.
According to Speaker Moses Wetangula, the committee is expected to expeditiously commence consideration of the Presidential Memorandum, its reservations and recommendations, and report to the House at the next regular sitting upon its resumption.
Can the Withdrawn Bill become Law after Time Lapse?
However, answering the question if the bill will come law after 21 days since the parliament is in recess the statement affirmed that the bill would not become law.
“Having been referred back to the National Assembly for reconsideration on account of the President’s reservations, the Finance Bill, 2024 cannot become law through mere lapse of time,” said Wetangula.
Moreover, the thirteenth parliament 2024 directed that the country will be financed by an Appropriation Bill that has a gap of approximately Ksh300 billion between the expenditure approved by the National Assembly.
What is the link between the Budget, the Finance Bill and the Appropriation Bill?
“We are guided that the rejection and loss of the entire Finance Bill, 2024 shall occasion a financing gap of approximately Kshs. 300 billion between the expenditure approved by the National Assembly through the Appropriation Bill, 2024 which is distinct from the Finance Bill,” read the statement.
Also Read: Wetangula Gives Way Forward After Ruto Rejected Finance Bill 2024
Notably, the House has already passed the Appropriation Bill, 2024. We are guided that the financing gap may be bridged by the reduction of approved expenditure. This may be achieved by enacting a Supplementary Appropriation Bill in accordance with the applicable procedure.
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