National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has urged MPs to engage in a sober debate on the Finance Bill, saying the legislators have the power to amend contentious clauses in the proposed law.
Wetang'ula, while noting that he encouraged the raging debate on the Bill, sobriety should prevail.
He asked leaders not to mislead wananchi on the contents of the document.
He added that MPs sit in committees where they hold the opportunity to scrutinise the Bill and make changes to clauses that they feel were not good for the people they represent.
Wetang’ula made the remarks when he led 17 MPs in a funds drive in aid of Lwandeti DEB Secondary School in Lugari constituency, Kakamega county on Saturday.
"The constitution gives MPs powers to push for amendments on clauses that they single out as unfriendly to citizens and that is what I urge them to do instead of decampaigning the document in public meetings in villages," he said.
More than Sh14 million was raised to support the infrastructural development of the institution.
He reminded the legislators that they will have an opportunity to vote for the Bill clause by clause.
This, he said, gives them a chance to make a decision on the document when it will be tabled in the House.
He assured wananchi that President William Ruto was also concerned about the high cost of living and he was doing his best to cushion Kenyans from suffering.
Wetang’ula also called for unity of purpose among MPs from the Western region irrespective of their political affiliation.
He pledged to support the Western MPs caucus for the sake of the development and prosperity of the region.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and his deputy Ayub Savula were among the guests who honoured the invitation by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera.