Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma has expressed his support for President William Ruto’s decision to discard the contentious Finance Bill 2024 and instead sign the Appropriations Bill 2024 into law.
In a statement made on his X account on Saturday, June 29, 2024, Kaluma applauded the President’s urging him to let MPs help him identify and eliminate funds allocated for corrupt practices within the bill.
“This is great and bold, Your Excellency! Now allow us to help you to identify the areas to slash out funds budgeted for corruption,” Peter Kaluma stated.
Appropriations Bill 2024
President Ruto signed the Appropriation Bill 2024 after rejecting the Finance Bill 2024 on Friday, June 28, 2024.
The Act, which takes effect upon publication in the Gazette, details specific allocations for various public services and purposes as outlined in its first schedule.
“On Wednesday, June 26th, 2024, I declined to sign the Finance Bill 2024 and issued a memorandum to the National Assembly rejecting all its clauses,” Ruto said explaining his decision.
Adding;
“Articles 221 and 222 of the Constitution mandate the Assent to the Appropriations Bill by June 30th annually to ensure seamless government operations, particularly in delivering critical services.”
Ruto directed the National Treasury to quickly prepare supplementary estimates to cut expenditures by the amount expected from the rejected Finance Bill 2024.
He explained that the reduction, amounting to Ksh346 billion, would be fairly distributed between the national and county governments, including adjustments across the executive, legislature, judiciary, and constitutional commissions.
“I have therefore assented to the Appropriations Bill 2024 and instructed the National Treasury to immediately prepare supplementary estimates to reduce expenditure by the amount of revenue that was expected to be generated by the rejected Finance Bill 2024.
“The reduction in expenditure, amounting to Ksh346 billion, will be borne equitably by both levels of government: the National and County Governments. With respect to the National Government, the reduction will be borne by the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, and our constitutional commissions,” he added.
Anti-Finance Bill protests
On Thursday, June 27, 2024, demonstrators from various major towns across the country continued their anti-government protests despite President Ruto’s decision not to sign the controversial bill into law on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.
In Nairobi, heavily armed Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers were seen maintaining vigilance from atop an armoured vehicle as the demonstrators proceeded with their planned protests.
Protesters expressed their distrust of Ruto, despite his move to return the finance bill to parliament and his promise to make budget cuts as an alternative to the proposed new taxes and fees on items such as egg imports and bank transfers.
Although on a smaller scale than Tuesday, June 25, 2024 protests, the chants were still the same ‘Ruto must go’.
Protests in Parliament
On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, chaos erupted as protesters breached parliament and caused massive destruction and vandalism within Parliament buildings.
Several protesters were shot in the fierce clash by the anti-riot police. Inside Parliament, chairs in the lounge area were turned upside-down, windows shattered, and walls destroyed.
More demonstrations were witnessed across the country including Nakuru, Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisumu, Kakamega, and Meru, among other regions.
