The controversial Finance Bill 2024 has been passed in the National Assembly with amendments.
This is after 195 members of Parliament voted to pass it while 106 others rejected it. Three votes were spoilt.
“The results of the division are as follows: yes 195, No, 106, spoilt 3. The ayes have it,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula announced.The bill will now proceed to the third reading before being forwarded to President Ruto for assent.
In the committee stage, the MPs proposed amendments including the removal of the Motor Vehicle Tax and Eco levy on imported goods.
The MPs also dropped VAT on diaspora remittances and the proposed 16 percent tax on bread.This comes at a time when Kenyans are protesting against the Finance Bill 2024 countrywide.
The angry Kenyans started protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, Kakamega, Kisii, Kisumu, Kwale, Bungoma, Makueni and Murang’a counties.
In Nairobi, thousands turned up for the demos and even overpowered the police officers deployed across the Nairobi CBD.
The protestors even stormed the Parliament buildings which were being guarded heavily by police officers from the General Service Unit and Anti-riot unit.
