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[HOLD-NO PROOF] MPs were offered Sh2 million to pass Finance Bill, Juja MP claims

Mombasa residents protest against the Finance Bill, 2024 on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein/EV)

By Lucy Mumbi | Sunday, June 23, 2024

Juja MP George Koimburi has alleged that legislators were offered Sh2 million each to vote for the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, which proposes significant tax hikes.

Speaking at AIPCA Ndururumo Church in Juja constituency on Sunday, Koimburi said he rejected the bribe and voted against the bill.

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"We were offered money and you all saw how they carried money in sacks. We were told that for every 'yes' vote, we would receive Sh2 million," he said, without giving proof to support his claims.

Koimburi was among the 115 MPs who opposed the bill, as 204 MPs voted in its favour during a parliamentary session on Thursday as members of the public staged protests in several parts of the country.

While expressing his firm opposition to the bill, the legislator said he had to read it cover to cover to know why people were being offered such huge sums of money.

He emphasised his commitment to his constituents, stating that he could not, in good conscience, support a bill he believed would harm the public.

The legislator further voiced concerns about the potential repercussions if the bill is enacted, warning of possible unrest among the youth.

"If this bill passes, the youths may burn the country. The government needs to reconsider its position," he said.

He reiterated that young people had become increasingly disenfranchised and frustrated by the economic hardships imposed by such proposals.

Earlier on Sunday, President William Ruto invited the youth to talks about the bill, saying he would factor in their concerns, but they rejected his promise and insisted that the bill must be rejected.

He has said that the protesters can continue exercising their right to demonstrate but that institutions will decide what is right for the country and that the process would be followed.

Next steps

Following the passage of the bill in the second reading, MPs okayed its advancement to the Committee of the Whole House for consideration of proposed amendments.

After the vote, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangu'la said, "Members, the matter of the Finance bill is now over. We wait for the Committee of the Whole House, those who have amendments to file ... the clerk and his team will process those amendments."

The bill, which has received strong opposition from various quarters, proposes several tax increases and economic measures that critics say will burden ordinary citizens.

Although the government agreed to drop some of the contentious taxes proposed in the bill, protesters have continued with their demonstrations, arguing that they want the entire document scrapped.

Among the proposed taxes which were dropped was the 2.5 per cent motor vehicle tax, which the National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee said was discriminatory and non-progressive.

The committee also recommended repealing the 16 per cent VAT on bread, saying that if the tax were imposed, it would make the basic commodity less affordable, beyond the affordability of many Kenyans.

It also proposed exempting several products from VAT, including issuing credit and debit cards, foreign exchange transactions, sanitary towels and diapers and the services of local film agents.