Over the past two weeks, the Finance Bill has been a huge talking point as Kenyans expressed their opposition to the law claiming that it would add another burden to their already difficult lives. Even as the debate raged on, politicians allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition managed to brave criticism from their constituents to push the bill through the second reading.
While most Kenya Kwanza MPs have given their reasons for backing the bill, Aldai MP Marianne Kitany has given insight into one of the factors that prompted the MPs to back the widely unpopular bill even with political considerations at play.
While appearing in an interview on K24 TV, Kitany, who previously served as President William Ruto's Chief of Staff when he was Deputy President, disclosed that the head of state summoned lawmakers to State House, Nairobi where he appealed to the legislators to back the bill by breaking it down to them and highlighting the economic challenges the country is facing at the moment.
Kitany revealed that the bill faced an imminent failure during its second reading, compelling Ruto to step in. The crucial strategy meeting held at State House on May 23 played a pivotal role in shaping the eventual outcome. With 176 MPs voting in favour of passing the bill in the second reading and only 81 dissenting, it is now slated to proceed to the third reading, namely the Committee of the Whole House stage.
“When the President called us to State House, he talked to us and explained it to us (The Finance Bill).
“He broke it down to why some of these issues were proposed. He explained it to a level we understood, and that was when we started supporting it,” the MP disclosed.
Ruto, a renowned orator, apparently convinced the MPs that the bill would save the country. He advocated for economic recovery and the creation of job opportunities as some of the factors the MPs should use to convince their electorate to support the unpopular piece of legislation.
The Azimio coalition, Kitany argued, opposed the bill without in-depth information claiming they missed a golden opportunity to sit down with Ruto to scrutinize the bill.
She further dismissed claims that some Kenya Kwanza MPs were deliberately absent from Parliament to avoid voting on the controversial bill.
“There were many members of Kenya Kwanza who were not in the house. Around 70 members of the coalition were engaged in other assignments,” Kitany explained.
"When someone is absent from the floor of the house, it does not mean they have absconded their responsibilities. They could be on other assignments as we are always busy,” the MP added.
President William Ruto, on Saturday, June 17, condemned MPs who opposed the bill and, in particular his ally and Githunguri MP, Gathoni Wamuchomba, whom he accused of being selfish and shortsighted.
"These citizens helped you get a job but you don't want your salary deducted to fund the housing project. All MPs, including those in opposition who voted against the bill, are insincere,” the President slammed his critics.
Wamuchomba, however, maintained her position, assuring her constituents that she would deliver on her mandate without the fear of reproach or intimidation.
