National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has issued a verdict on the Finance Bill 2024 after President William Ruto sent it back to Parliament for consideration of his reservations.
Members of Parliament (MPs) voted on a memorandum sent by the head of state after rejecting the controversial bill (National Assembly Bill No. 30 of 2024).
In a statement on July 25, Wetang’ula said the MPs voted in support of the deletion of all the clauses in the bill.
“Honorable Members, as you are aware, the House has voted in agreement with the President’s Reservations and the recommendation to delete all the Clauses of the Finance Bill, 2024. Following this decision, the Bill has been rejected in its entirety,” reads the statement in part.
“In this regard, Honorable Members, there is NO BILL for the Speaker to present to H.E. the President for assent. To complete the process contemplated under Article 115 of the Constitution, I will simply convey today’s decision of the House to His Excellency the President.”
Wetang’ula on Finance Bill
The Speaker had earlier stated that when the president sends a memorandum of that nature, any members who wants to overturn it must Ganner two thirds of the members of the house. About 233 members.
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He also dismissed reports that the bill was meant to become law after 14 days, saying that there is no such provision within the constitution.
“This also addresses the issue that the bill was going to be operational within 14 days of the memorandum. that is not true, and we do not have that provision, the bill is in limbo, awaiting the next step,” he added.
Ruto Rejecting the 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In a press briefing on Wednesday, June 26, President Ruto announced that he has withdrawn the bill in entirety in line with the demands of the people.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 the proposal and would be holding a multisectoral stakeholder engagement within the next two weeks to discuss matters relating to the content of the bill.
“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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The President’s speech was followed by a memorandum to Speaker Wetangula regarding his position on the bill.
Later, 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.”
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