Speaker Wetang’ula Confirms MPs Will Vote On Finance Bill 2024 Withdrawal
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has stated that when Parliament reconvenes, the House will consider President William Ruto’s rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.
However, the Speaker stated that the Bill is technically dead, and any Member wishing to revive any of its clauses will need the support of at least 233 Members at the appropriate stage (Article 115(4)(a) of the Constitution).
The absence of any amendments will indicate agreement with H.E. the President, implying a complete rejection of the Bill.
Wetang’ula: MPs to vote on controversial Finance Bill 2024 when House resumes pic.twitter.com/9F236WWgEt
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 22, 2024
President William Ruto declined to sign the Finance Bill 2024 and returned it to Parliament for deletion of all clauses.
However, the Speaker has stated that legislators will vote on the Finance Bill 2024 memorandum returned to Parliament by the President.
Wetang’ula told the press on Monday at his offices that Parliament will resume sittings in July following a three-week break.
He stated that the Standing Orders of the House allow members who wish to reinstate the Bill to vote on the memorandum.
“The President declined to assent to the Finance Bill, 2024 and sent back with a memorandum indicating that he is rejecting all the clauses of the Bill,” he said.
“So that Memorandum and rejection will also be part of the business of the House, remember that under our Standing Orders when the President sends a memorandum of that nature any member who wants to overturn that memorandum or any provision therein must garner two-thirds of the members of the house, that is about 233 of the members of the House.”
The Speaker added that he would present the memorandum to Parliament.
He also clarified reports that the Bill would be operational 14 days after the President declined to sign it.
Wetangula stated that no provision in the constitution allows the Bill to be implemented under those circumstances.
“The Bill is in limbo, it is purgatory so to speak awaiting the next vote on it in the House,” he said.
“Following the rejection, the government in furtherance of the austerity measures now being undertaken and the stress in budget processes has brought Supplementary Budget 1.”
In June, the President succumbed to the pressure of Generation Z, who wanted him to reject the Finance Bill 2024.
The Head of State proposed numerous amendments to the Bill for the MPs to consider.
Parliament may amend the Bill in response to the president’s reservations, or it may be passed a second time without amendments.
The committee of the whole house format allows for a thorough examination of each clause before the bill proceeds to the next stages of legislative review.
The committee of the whole house format allows for a thorough examination of each clause before the bill proceeds to the next stages of legislative review.
Speaker Wetang’ula Confirms MPs Will Vote On Finance Bill 2024 Withdrawal
