Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya on Thursday, June 13, was forced to make a determination on Finance Bill 2024 after thousands of Kenyans bombarded him with phone calls.
Salasya complained to Kenyans.co.ke that he had received 5,000 calls from Kenyans asking him to reject the Finance Bill.
The calls were part of a coordinated online plan by Kenyans where the phone numbers of legislators were shared publicly. Kenyans were subsequently asked to call and text their lawmakers and demand that their MPs shoot down the piece of legislation.
The MP told Kenyans that his vote was inconsequential and that they should stop blowing up his phone.
“From where I sit, even if I say I do not want to vote yes, as long as Kenya Kwanza people vote yes, they have numbers. There is nothing I can do,” he stated.
Salasya stated that the barrage of calls should only be concentrated on Kenya Kwanza's elected parliamentarians.
“There are almost 5,000 numbers here calling me. And some are Kenya Kwanza supporters calling me after they voted for President William Ruto. Why disturb me when I am an Azimio member?” he posed.
The Mumias East MP stated that the Finance Bill was prepared by the Kenya Kwanza administration and it was only fair if it was their MPs who were bombarded with the calls.
The Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) elected MP regretted that due to the barrage of calls, he was unable to communicate with his family and constituents.
“They should call Ruto and ask him why did he bring that Finance Bill to Kenyans,” he warned.
“The people who are calling should not bother. They should only focus on Kenya Kwanza as they are the ones who will determine what happens next.”
A section of Kenyans are opposed to the Finance Bill due to proposals to increase the tax base at a time when the country is battling a high cost of living.
