Finance Bill 2023 sails through Second Reading stage after 176 MPs support, 81 oppose

The controversial Finance Bill 2023 has sailed through the Second Reading stage with 176 Members of Parliament supporting it against 81 who opposed it.

The Bill is now set for the Committee of the Whole house stage, where the whole House will seat in the form of a Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

At the Committee of the whole House stage, any proposed amendments to be Bill and a vote taken on each.

Meanwhile, for the better part of the day, Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MPs clashed during the second reading over proposals in the Bill key among them the Housing levy.

Githunguri MP Gathoni  Wamuchomba, who is a member of the Kenya Kwanza coalition, elected under the UDA Party, told parliament that she will defy the stand taken by President William Ruto and oppose the Bill.

“Mr Speaker i went all over Githunguri and i was told to vote no for the bill... This bill is scandalous it is punitive...,” she said.

Wamuchomba's decision to cross the floor however did not dampen the spirit of Kenya Kwanza lawmakers who mounted pressure to have the bill sail through.

“Let us not lie to Kenyans. We will pass this bill because we do not want to dig a hole of debts for our people...,” MP Kimani Ichung’wa said.

“This finance bill has taken care of everything including farm inputs to boost food security...,” said Silvanus Osoro.