Gladys Wanga Wins Praise from Both Raila & Ruto Allies

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga addresses MPs on Friday, July 17, 2020.

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga has won praise from across the political divide over her leadership in the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning.

The praise was expressed during a sitting held on Tuesday, June 22, in which MPs rejected a number of taxes suggested by Treasury CS Ukur Yatani. 

Kisumu East MP Ahmed Shakeel praised Wanga in his own position as a ranking member of the committee since 2007.

"I want to take my hat off and acknowledge the most effective finance committee we have had (which) is this one under the leadership of Gladys Wanga."

"I have been part of the committee for over 13 years and I have never seen the level of effectiveness that is there now," stated Shakeel.

Kisumu East MP Hon. Ahmed Shakeel addressing the Parliament at the National Assembly in Nairobi taken on June 22, 2021.
Kisumu East MP Hon. Ahmed Shakeel addressing the Parliament at the National Assembly in Nairobi taken on June 22, 2021.
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Nominated MP David Ole Sankok, who is a supporter of Deputy President William Ruto, also congratulated Wanga on her efforts in clarifying the proposed bill.

"To add my voice on this bill, I support and would like to congratulate Wanga for elaborating on most of the issues and being very eloquent in educating us on this," commented Sankok.

The remarks came when the house was addressing the Finance Bill 2021 that focuses on ways and means for financing the supply.

The Finance Bill was published on May 2021 and first read on May 11, 2021, thereafter committed to the committee. The Bill sets out revenue raising measures for the National Government and amends specific tax laws and other statutes for effective collection of revenue relating to the budget of the fiscal year 2021/22.  

The Bill proposed amendments to the following acts: The Income Tax Act, The Value Added Tax Act, 2013, The Excise Duty Act, 2015, The Tax Procedures Act, 2015, The Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, 2016, The Tax Appeals Tribunal Act, 2013, The Capital Markets Act, The Insurance Act, The Kenya Revenue Authority Act, 1995, The Retirement Benefits Act, 1997 and The Central Depositories Act, 2000. 

As a result of Wanga's initiative, MPs on June 22, rejected a raft of taxes proposed by Treasury CS Ukur Yatani arguing that they would pile more burden on Kenyans already grappling with a harsh economy. 

In the draft amendments made to the Finance Bill 2021, they rejected the CS plan to raise Value Added Tax (VAT) without their input.

The CS lamented that seeking MPs' approval delayed the enforcement of tax changes. 

The Homa Bay Woman Rep was elected on July 19, 2020, making history in parliament becoming the first female chair of the committee following President Uhuru Kenyatta's changes ensuring the parliament's delivery on the big four agenda.

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Treasury CS Ukur Yatani presented the 2021/2022 budget on Thursday, June 10, 2021
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