The Orange Democratic Movement party has expressed gratitude to Azimio MPs who voted against the Finance Bill 2023.
This is after 81 MPs out of 257 opposed the Bill while 176 MPs voted to endorse it at the second stage of reading on Wednesday.
In a statement, ODM said the 81 MPs spoke for millions of oppressed Kenyans.
"Congratulations to the 80 plus members of Parliament who voted against punitive Finance Bill 2023/24. Your voice has been heard. You stood with Kenya. Your vote represented millions of oppressed poor and helpless Kenyans," the party said.
Before MPs took the vote, the House was thrown into an intense moment as either side of the divide argued their case either in favour of or against the Bill.
Azimio has since expressed optimism that all is not lost after the vote was called in Kenya Kwanza's favour.
The Raila Odinga-led minority faction in the House resorted to singing the popular protest song 'Bado mapambano' after the declaration of official results.
"WaKenya msilale, lale, lale, bado mapambano, mapambano, mapambano," they sang in unison.
The Bill now moves to the committee of the whole House where members will have a chance to push through their amendments.
The committee will review the Bill clause by clause and have members vote on each proposal.
Among key amendments to the Bill is the proposed 15 per cent for Digital Content Creators which has been reviewed to 5 per cent.
The proposed three per cent housing levy has also been reduced to 1.5 per cent in the new amendments.
The committee chaired by Molo MP Kimani Kuria resolved to retain the 16 per cent VAT on petroleum products which will bring the tax on petrol to the same level as kerosene and diesel.
Ahead of the vote, both President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga had put their troops on notice saying they would be under watch to see which way they would vote on the Bill.
The Bill proposes among other things a housing levy on workers’ salaries, increased taxes on fuel, and new taxes on beauty products.
Ruto said the Bill is vital to raise revenues needed to fund his administration’s maiden budget of Sh3.6 trillion.
