Molo MP and Chairperson of the National Assembly's Finance and National Planning Committee Kuria Kimani on Wednesday announced an end to the public participation phase of the Finance Bill, 2024.
In a post on his official handles, Kimani assured all interest groups that their views would be accommodated as the committee retreats to draft their report before eventually presenting it before the whole house.
"We have concluded public participation. As we head to the report writing stage, we will work to ensure all your views are accommodated as we aim to strike a balance on the various proposals in the Finance Bill 2024. Let us all work to make Kenya a better country for us all," Kimani stated.
Several interest groups presented their proposals raising objections and expressing their views on the same.
Human Rights group Amnesty International, represented by Victor Ndede presented a memorandum on the organisation's official position on the Finance Bill.
"The organization’s submission was centred on Clause 63 of the Finance Bill (2024) which seeks to exempt KRA from the provisions of the Data Protection Act. While urging the Committee to consider rejecting this proposed amendment to the Data Protection Act, Mr Ndede argued that the proposed amendment limits the right to privacy," National Assembly said in a statement.
Youth Health Advocates, a youth group based in Mombasa appeared before the committee and made its arguments as well.
The lobby welcomed the proposed increase in excise duty on wines and spirits to help mitigate the health externalities caused by this category of drinks.
Youth Advocates implored the committee to retain the proposed Kshs22.5 and Kshs16 centilitre of pure alcohol for wines and spirits or increase these rates for wines and spirits.
Through its representatives, the group posited that an increase in excise duty on alcoholic drinks has been considered as one of the most effective ways of addressing the problem of alcohol abuse in the society.
"The group has further expressed concerns with respect to the lowered rates for beer in the Finance Bill 2024 and urged the Committee to vary upwards the current rates for beer to discourage consumption and to keep beer out of reach for vulnerable groups," the MPs said.
After the conclusion of the public hearing exercise, the bill now moves to the second reading on the floor of the National Assembly.
According to a Parliamentary fact sheet, this stage is entirely a debate avenue where the House seated in plenary debates the merits and any demerits of the bill.
"The debate follows the moving of the bill by the sponsor and its seconding by any member," the fact sheet stated.
On the flip side, a bill originating in the National Assembly but which is not seconded is withdrawn.
If the bill sails through, it proceeds to the committee stage whereby entire members of the House sit in the form of a committee to consider the bill on a clause-by-clause basis.
The committee is presided over by the Deputy Speaker, or any member of the chairpersons' panel who sits at the clerk's table between the two House clerks who call out the clauses for consideration.
The bill now moves to the report stage, third reading and then to the last stage, which is the President's assent.
