President William Ruto on Sunday proposed that an open system be adopted during voting on the controversial Finance Bill, warning that he will be watching to see which legislator votes against it.
This amounts to intimidation and blackmail, many would argue, but it certainly almost assures the President the passage of the Bill, especially considering that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned that MPs who will vote against the Bill will miss out on funds to build or upgrade roads in their constituencies.
Be it as it may, Thirdway Alliance leader Ekuru Aukot has warned that should the Bill get Parliament's approval by whatever means, it may certainly open the floodgates for the passage of regressive bills.
"Let us consider this: Should the Finance Bill 2023 pass, I fear that any other retrogressive bill will be passed again in the future. You may recall that in February 2023, an excited MP tried to propose increasing presidential term limits," Aukot said in a statement on Twitter on Monday.
In November last year, Fafi MP Salah Yakub caused an uproar when he suggested that the presidential term limit of ten years should be scrapped and replaced with an age limit of 75 years.
Had this been adopted, it would have seen President Ruto continue to run for the next 20 years.
Ruto and his allies distanced themselves from the pronouncements by the UDA legislator.
"Currently, some excited Senator is also suggesting that every time there is a public holiday, Kenyans must take two days off. Very irrational," Aukot said.
Top of the morning, fellow Kenyans!
— Dr. Ekuru Aukot (@EAukot) June 5, 2023
Let us consider this: Should the #FinanceBill2023 pass, i fear that any other retrogressive bill will be passed again in the future. You may recall that in February 2023, an excited MP tried to propose increasing presidential term limits.…
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa on Friday, June 2, proposed that the Public Holidays Act be amended.
The youthful lawmaker has drafted the Public Holidays Amendment Bill which proposes that where a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the preceding day which is a Monday also becomes a public holiday.
The bill also proposes that should a public holiday fall on a Thursday, the succeeding day which is a Friday also becomes a public holiday.
Thang’wa, who terms his proposal “holiday economics” said had the law been enacted by now, Kenyans would have already enjoyed three days off this year.
Madaraka Day, which was marked on a Thursday, would have seen Kenyans stay home on Friday, June 2 as well.
He said the same would apply to Utumishi Day which will be marked on Tuesday, October 10 and Jamhuri Day which will also be marked on Tuesday, December 12.
"It will also allow for quality time with loved ones, celebrations of traditions, and the opportunity for travel and tourism," Thang'wa argued.
Back to the Finance Bill 2023, it proposes to introduce a raft of tax measures aimed at increasing the revenue base as the government looks at servicing its Sh3.6 trillion Budget coming up for presentation later this month.
Some of the proposed tax measures have, however, not gone down well with Kenyans who feel the government 'wants to tax them to their graves'.
This includes the mandatory three per cent deduction on the basic pay of employees' salary and a similar contribution from the employer towards affordable housing.
Already, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has moved to court to block the enactment of the Bill saying it contains threats to the Constitution.
He says the government’s intention to forcibly deduct money from employees' basic pay for purposes of facilitating house ownership is unjust and morally offensive as it imposes a one-size-fits-all approach.
"The proposed approach is coercive and limits options which individuals have in choosing their housing plans, or how to use their property," he argues in his petition filled on Friday, June 2.
Apparently, not all MPs and Senators support the #FinanceBill2023, especially relating to some sticky issues like Housing Levy, fuel levy and its deleterious effect on manufacturing. Sadly, it's being shoved down their throats, and you know by who!
— Dr. Ekuru Aukot (@EAukot) June 5, 2023
