- The MPs also approved extension of Wednesday afternoon sittings until 9:30 pm to allow as many as possible to contribute to the debate on the Bill.
- The House normally rises at exactly 6:30 pm unless extension is approve by majority of the MPs.
Image: FILE
MPs have approved a special sitting on Thursday to conclude debate on the Finance Bill, 2024 ahead of voting slated for Tuesday next week.
In their sitting on Tuesday, the lawmakers approved a procedural motion to hold an extra sitting on Thursday beginning 9 am.
The motion was moved by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw'ah after approval by the House Business Committee.
"This Mr speaker will allow members an opportunity to debate the Finance Bill, 2024 considering that many members are interested to contribute on the debate,'' Ichungw'ah said as he moved the motion.
The motion was backed by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi who said the decision was sound as it would allow MPs more time to contribute to the Bill.
"It was seized on the House Business Committee that we allocate enough sitting days for members to contribute effectively and for their constituents to get to know where they stand on this matter,'' he said.
According to the National Assembly House calendar, MPs do not sit on Thursday morning unless approved through a motion by concurrence of the House.
The MPs also approved extension of Wednesday afternoon sittings until 9:30 pm to allow as many as possible to contribute to the debate on the Bill.
The House normally rises at exactly 6:30 pm unless an extension is approved by a majority of the MPs.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula ruled that MPs will vote on the Bill during the Second Reading on Thursday afternoon.
"The House Business Committee has directed that we will then vote on that Bill on Thursday afternoon,'' the speaker directed.
Wetang'ula also ruled that the Third Reading on the Bill will take place on Tuesday, June 25 to allow MPs an opportunity to make the ultimate decision.
"The committee of the Whole House on the same Bill will come in Tuesday afternoon, those of you who want to file amendments do so after reading the report,'' Wetang'ula said.
The Finance and Planning Committee chaired by Molo MP Kuria Kimani tabled its report on the Bill on Tuesday afternoon after a meeting of the Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group at State House.
"I have directed the clerk that the closure for submitting amendments will be on Thursday at 1 pm,'' the speaker directed.
"Thereafter you will be time-barred.''
The speaker urged MPs to familiarise themselves with the report of the committee and the Bill so as to debate from an informed position.
The report of the committee provides direction on various proposed amendments by the government side while the Bill lays ground for taxation measures.
MPs will have an opportunity to express their views on the Bill during the Second Reading but will only move amendments at the Third Reading State also known as the Committee of the Whole House.
The Bill will sail through the Second Reading by simple majority as provided for in the Standing Orders.