Kenyans on X (formerly Twitter) led by X user and journalist Hanifa (username: Honeyfarsafi) have started a revolt against lawmakers that’s forcing them to vote against the unpopular Finance Bill 2024.
She shared a link to a WhatsApp group where Kenyans would share MPs’contacts they had so that their electorate would pick it up and communicate with the MP that they should vote “no” against the bill.
Among the MPs that responded are Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, who responded with “count on me” to a message from his voter urging him to reject the bill.
Alleged screenshots of messages from Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro are also in circulation. In one screenshot, he is seen asking the user why he should reject the bill.
In another screenshot, he engages in jibes with a voter. “We mhesh fala wewe. Ati umesema utavote yes? Msenge wewe.
To which he responds, “YES… and mobilize more to vote YES. Write a million insults nilie.”
Mumia East MP Peter Salasya also revealed that he was getting a lot of messages and calls from netizens. “Who has shared my number on X?” He asked.
“Everybody across the nation is calling my number, texting me and WhatsApping me I can’t sleep, the phone is vibrating throughout ati I reject finance bill kesho…
“Na wananitumia shilingi moja kwa mpesa to confirm if its me. We are not voting tomorrow,” he added.
KSh 4Tr Budget set to be read today
Treasury Cabinet Secretary (CS), Njuguna Ndung’u is set to table the 2024/2025 budget before the National Assembly today (Thursday).
The budget entails two bills: the Appropriation Bill 2024/25 and the unpopular Finance Bill 2024/2025. The Appropriation Bill consists of the estimates of government expenditure.
The Finance Bill on the other end comprises of proposals of how the government entails to raise its proposed expenditures. This is through taxation, user fees for government services and grants hence why it is unpopular.
The reading of the KSh 4Tr budget in the words of The Budget and Appropriations Committee chair Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), in an interview with TV47, is ceremonial.
This is because since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, the role of budget making became a responsibility of Parliament in consultation with the National Treasury.
“The process of the making of the budget will be complete next week when Parliament passes the Appropriation Bill,” said Mr Nyoro.
The Finance Bill 2024/2025 is expected to be passed and assented into law by President William Ruto by 1 July 2024.
