After President William Ruto declined to sign the contentious Finance Bill 2024, several Members of Parliament (MPs) have apologized to their constituents for voting in favor of the now-withdrawn bill.
On Wednesday, June 26, Ruto announced his refusal to assent to the bill and proposed a conversation with the youth to address their concerns.
“Consequently, having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” he said.
Despite this, some youths have remained angered, feeling betrayed by their MPs.
At various events, MPs have faced heckling and booing from the public with some choosing to stay in Nairobi during recess because their constituencies have become hostile and unsafe.
On June 29, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse faced backlash from his constituents and was chased away at a burial ceremony for supporting the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
MPs Who Have Issued Public Apologies
Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie was the first to apologize publicly for his comments on anti-finance bill protestors.
He wrote a heartfelt letter to Kenyans, apologizing for calling the anti-finance bill protests fake and alleging that photos of demonstrators shared online were altered.
“I truly apologize for the comments I made regarding the protests and the authenticity of certain images. In the heat of the moment during the debate on the finance bill, my words were unnecessary, misguided and insensitive,” he said.
On June 27, Central Turkana MP Joseph Namuar pleaded with his constituents for their pardon after voting for the passing of the bill, which sparked violent protests and caused the deaths many young Kenyans.
“I laud President William Ruto for the leadership he has exhibited to show Kenyans that he can listen to their views. If there is a way, we did wrong for those of us who voted YES, we ask for your forgiveness,” Namuar said.
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria on his side printed a T-shirt branded “I’M SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE ME” to pass a message to his constituents.
“I am sorry please forgive me for not listening to you in rejecting the Finance Bill 2024,” Gikaria said.
Gikaria also involved his wife, who wore a printed T-shirt reading. “HE’S SORRY PLEASE FORGIVE HIM,” in an effort to build bridges with the electorate.
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Other Members of Parliament who Have Apologized
Also, Nyeri Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandetu asked for an apology saying, “You reached out to me and made your stand clear regarding the Finance Bill 2024, this time I fell short of your expectations…The voice of the people of Tetu will always be my guiding light.”
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere joined the list of apologetic MPs, stating, “As for my Laikipia North constituents please accept my profound apologies for voting against your expectations. Accept my humble apologies.”
Additionally, Keiyo South MP Gideon Kimaiyo, serving his first term, also sought to restore the electorate’s confidence in his leadership.
“I apologize to all Keiyo South people for voting YES to the Finance Bill…going into the future I promise to listen more to sauti ya mwananchi,” he wrote.
Matungu MP Oscar Nabulindo in the same regard posted a video to pass his apology to his constituents.
“I take this opportunity to cancel and withdraw my yes vote. I am going to tell the Speaker to remove my name from the list of Yes and put it on the No list of rejecting the Finance Bill,” he stated.
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