Azimio Defeat in Finance Bill an Embarrassment – Mutahi Ngunyi

Political pundit Mutahi Ngunyi has ridiculed the Azimio coalition after Parliament voted in favour of the Finance Bill 2023 during the second reading on Wednesday. 

After a spirited debate, 176 out of 257 legislators voted to pass the bill while 81 rejected it. Ngunyi denounced the Azimio for not offering a substantial counterpunch against the proposed tax regulations, labelling their defeat an embarrassment.

“The defeat of Azimio in this Finance Bill 2023 is an embarrassment to our national imagination. They could not even raise a bi-partisan consensus of 100 MPs. Ruto had twice the number of MPs at 176/81. What a shame! And what is the point of being on the wrong side of history? It’s over,” the political scientist averred. 

The Bill now moves to the committee of the whole House which will provide an opportunity for members to pass their amendments. The Committee will review the Bill clause by clause and vote on each section. One of the main amendments to the Bill is the 15 per cent proposed for Digital Content Creators, which has been revised to 5%. Also, the three per cent housing levy has been reduced to 1.5% in the new changes.

The committee chaired by Molo Member of Parliament Kimani Kuria concluded to retain the 16% VAT on fuel products, bringing the tax on petrol to the same rate as kerosene and diesel. On Wednesday, before the MPs voted on the Bill, there was a long debate concerning the proposed tax policies.

Both President William Ruto and Azimio head Raila Odinga had put their lieutenants on notice that they’ll be observing how they vote on the bill. Ruto maintains the Bill is vital to raise revenues needed to fund his administration’s budget of Sh3.6 trillion.