Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has directed all ODM Members of Parliament to suspend any planned trips until the Finance Bill 2024 vote is taken.
Speaking on Friday, June 14 during the Azimo la Umoja press briefing in Nairobi, Sifuna also said the ODM MPs should suspend activities that would see them out of the capital city during the consideration of the controversial bill.
“All members of the National Assembly are to suspend any planned trips or any activities that would see them out of Nairobi for the duration of the consideration of the Finance Bill 2024 and that means from the day tabling on Tuesday next week until a vote is taken,” Sifuna stated.
His directive comes after Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka ordered Azimio MPs to reject the Finance Bill 2024.
The former vice president warned that the bill would be detrimental to Kenyans and urged opposition MPs to be on the front line rejecting it.
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“All well-meaning Kenyans must oppose the Finance Bill 2024 and have thus instructed all our parliamentary members to lead from the front in rejecting this punitive bill in totality,” said Kalonzo.
The Finance Bill 2024 seeks to introduce a 2.5 percent motor vehicle tax based on the value of the vehicle with the minimum tax set at Sh 5,000.
It also proposes a withholding tax on goods supplied to public entities at 3 percent for residents and 5 percent for non-residents.
Other taxes include 16 percent VAT on bread, excise duty on telephone and internet data services from 15 percent to 20 percent, and the eco levy.
In June 2023, when the Finance Bill 2023 was voted on, several ODM MPs failed to show up, sparking outrage among Kenyans.
Out of the 257 MPs who were in attendance, 176 members voted in favor of the bill, while 81 legislators voted against it.
The Raila Odinga-led party summoned MPs who skipped the process for disciplinary action.
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