Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and six other leaders from Mt Kenya region on Sunday, July 2, vowed to appeal a court ruling that barred President William Ruto from implementing the Finance Act, 2023.
The Head of State was dealt a blow by the High Court on Friday, June 30, after it suspended the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023, which had given him an avenue to raise revenues to fulfill his development agenda.
Speaking in Murang’a County during a thanksgiving ceremony, the leaders led by Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome noted that they would appeal the suspension.
Wahome warned that should the High Court not lift the suspension; Kenyans would be hit hard economically.
She explained that the only way the government was able to deliver services was through taxation as stipulated in the Act.
“How will the government operate without funds? The Finance Act aimed to improve Kenyans’ lives,” she explained.
Other leaders who supported Wahome’s sentiments included; Nyoro (Kiharu), John Njuguna (Kiambaa), John Kaguchia (Mukuruweini), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, and Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina.
In her support, Nyoro noted that while Judiciary was an independent institution, it had a duty of considering public interest.
“We cannot dictate to the Judiciary on what to do but we would like them to look at the implications that the ruling will have on the public.
“The government will appeal the court’s ruling so as to have the bill be implemented and the government sources funds to actualise programmes factored in the budget,” he explained Ruto’s administration’s next step.
The MP, who is also the Budget Committee's chair at the National Assembly, alleged that the opposition was using the Judiciary to frustrate Ruto’s government.
While suspending the Finance Act 2023, Justice Mugure Thande ruled that the court will give further directions on Wednesday, July 5.
National Assembly Finance and Planning Committee Chairperson, Kimani Kuria, had on Friday, June 30, indicated that the government would respect the court's ruling regarding the suspension.
"We respect the Judiciary and we expect the court process to take the lead. We are prepared for a court battle," he stated then.
Omtatah in his petition had argued that the National Assembly violated Article 110(3) of the Constitution by introducing the Finance Bill 2023 to the plenary without the Senate's input.
In his defense, Kimani explained that the Finance Committee went through all court rulings and made decisions based on precedents.
The petition challenged the constitutionality of the National Assembly's move to unilaterally pass a bill that proposed a raft of taxes namely; the 8% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel products, the introduction of a Housing Levy and the introduction of a new tax on digital content creation.
