The Raila Odinga-led opposition faces a major test on Tuesday when the National Assembly will take a crucial vote on the controversial Finance Bill, 2023.
Raila is relying on a resounding rejection of the Bill to boost his credentials as a defender of the masses against the government’s punitive measures.
The Bill, which last Wednesday sailed through the Second Reading Stage with 176 MPs against 81, is being pushed by President William Ruto’s government.
The Bill is critical as it spells out revenue-raising measures by the Kenya Kwanza government that include far-reaching taxes.
Raila’s Azimio coalition has put a spirited opposition to the proposed law that if enacted will see the government implement radical policies that have triggered a public uproar.
Raila says the Bill is unpopular and aimed at punishing poor Kenyans through heavy taxation.
Raila has insisted that Ruto’s proposed taxes are draconian and punitive, hoping to galvanise support by opposing the Bill.
He has asked his MPs and those from the government side to reject the Bill in its entirety on Tuesday.
However, the opposition leader faces an uphill task to successfully reject the Bill on the floor of the house with Kenya Kwanza enjoying the support of more MPs including those in Azimio.
Raila last week raised 10 reasons why MPs must reject the Bill, saying it seeks to impoverish Kenyans.
“We believe Kenyans have been hurting for a prolonged period of time. This Budget proposal prolongs and worsens the suffering of the people. As a party, we believe Kenyans will thrive when we cut, not when we increase taxes. This proposal increases taxes,” Raila said on June 14.
He further said the country will thrive when there is a moderate expenditure.
The Bill, he has argued, raises expenditures and proposes to spend what Kenya doesn’t have.
“We believe the country will do better when we devolve more in line with the Constitution. This Bill proposes to devolve less and instead ask for more money for the national government for otherwise devolved functions,” he said.
However, Raila who has a considerable number of MPs in the House will have to contend with rebels who are now supporting the government including those from Jubilee and other small parties in Azimio.
MPs will on Tuesday cast their votes on each of the clauses in the Bill during the committee of the whole house.
During the session, the report on the bill by the Committee on Finance and Planning, which has proposed a raft of amendments, will be considered alongside individual ones from MPs.
If Azimio MPs will have the numbers, they may push through their own amendments, but this is unlikely given the massive numerical strength enjoyed by Kenya Kwanza.
Such amendments must first be approved by the speaker and slotted in the Order Paper by the House Business Committee for them to be tabled.
After the committee of the whole house session is complete, the speaker will then put the question to signal the end of the Third Reading.
If the majority vote yes, the Bill will sail through for assent into law by the President.
However, Azimio can employ delay tactics by forcing numerous divisions that may take the vote into late Tuesday night.
President Ruto has rallied his troops to approve the Bill on Tuesday.
