Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has lauded Members of Parliament (MPs) who voted for the contentious Finance Bill, 2024 to proceed to committee stage.

According to an “excited” CS Duale, the MPs voted bravely and in the interests of the nation.

“As a former legislator, I wish to congratulate the Members of the National Assembly from the entire political divide for guiding the country accordingly and we now look forward to the next stage being the Committee of the Whole House where amendments to the Bill will be considered,” CS Duale said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is indeed great progress and I commend all Members who voted yes, stood tall, chose courage and voted for the best interests of this country.”

He said that he is now looking forward to the Bill’s next phase, since some of the contentious clauses that have irked a section of Kenyans during public participation had already been dropped and are scheduled to be deleted at the Committee Stage.

“Whereas there may be divided opinion on the Bill which is normal and expected in every mature democracy, what is great is that the constitutionally mandated body being the National Assembly as the representative of the 290 constituencies and 47 counties has discharged its mandate this afternoon and spoken loud and clear.”

A total of 204 MPs voted in favor of the Bill despite objections from a section of their respective constituents. 115 MPs voted against the bill.

Protesters turned up in the streets of towns like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Kisii, to protest against a Bill they say will worsen the already high cost of living.