Azimio la Umoja Parliamentary Group (PG) on Tuesday, June 18, resolved to reject the Finance Bill 2024, in its totality.
The opposition group made the resolution after a two-hour deliberations held moments after National Assembly Finance Committee Chair Kimani Kuria tabled the document in Parliament.
Azimio's decision was arrived at a time when the coalition party leader Raila Odinga had shown admiration for the thousands of Kenyans who demonstrated against the Finance Bill.
Earlier, Kenya Kwanza PG had announced that it had deleted the tax proposals that had caused public outrage culminating in protests at Nairobi Central Business District.
“Azimio la Umoja PG resolves to reject Finance Bill 2024 in its totality, including the proposed climbdown by the Kenya Kwanza regime,” the group indicated.
“The proposed changes are not substantial enough to better the lives of Kenyans who are reeling under heavy taxes contained in the current Finance Act.”
Some of the concessions that had been made by the Kenya Kwanza PG included the removal of 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on bread as well as the proposed 2.5 per cent motor vehicle tax.
After public uproar, the regime had shelved proposals to reduce excise duty on vegetable oil as well as an increase in mobile money transfer charges.
According to National Assembly Order Paper No. 50, the Bill will be debated by legislators on Wednesday.
Members of the opposition will be given a chance by Speaker Moses Wetangula to propose further amendments.
Kenya Kwanza has expressed optimism that with the changes made by Kuria Kimani’s team, the Bill will be passed without any further amendments.
The Finance Bill will be subjected to two votes in the Second and Third readings respectively and if passed will be assented into law by President William Ruto.
