The National Assembly has voted to approve the contested Finance Bill 2024 in the Second Reading stage, despite countrywide protests against the bill.
The vote, taken on Thursday June 20 saw 204 MPs voting in support of the Bill and 115 against the Bill.
The MPs approved the Finance Bill 2024 through a roll call vote, after some members challenged the use of voice vote.
Each Member of Parliament, after being called, stood up at their place and orally declared whether they were voting yes or no.
Among the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) MPs who voted no for the Bill include Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba.
Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o, also rejected the Finance Bill stating that the proposals included will affect the common Mwananchi.
The Finance Bill to move to the Committee Stage
The Bill which has been in the Second Reading of the Bill, will now proceed to the Committee Stage.
However, any member wishing to introduce amendments may submit their proposals to the Clerk at least 24 hours before the commencement of the sitting at which the part of the Bill is to be considered in Committee.
Also Read: Jalang’o, Passaris & Other MPs Who Have Rejected Finance Bill
This is to afford sufficient time for processing and approval by the Speaker for consideration of the amendments in the Committee of the Whole House.
Committee of the Whole House refers to an arrangement in which the Plenary converts itself into a committee that is comprised of the whole membership (Members) of the Assembly to consider the Bill in detail clause-by-clause which includes the title, preamble and schedules contained in the Bill.
The Committee is chaired by the Deputy Speaker or any member of the Chairpersons’ Panel (previously known as the Speaker’s Panel) and the member presiding over the Committee is referred to as the Chairperson as opposed to being referred to as the Speaker in Plenary).
Also Read: In pictures: How Gen Z-Led Anti-Finance Bill Protests Went Down
The Chairpersons’ Panel is composed of four Members who assist the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker in presiding in the House.
If amendments are proposed to any part of the Bill, the Committee will consider the amendment and take a vote on each of them. If the amendment is passed, it becomes part of the Bill.
At the conclusion of consideration of the Bill at the Committee, the Sponsor of the Bill moves a Motion seeking that the Chairperson reports the consideration of the Bill to the House.
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