Raila unveils strategy to counter Ruto over finance bill 2023
3 min read
Raila threatens mass action recall while also considering moving to court over proposed controversial finance bill 2023
Raila threatens mass action recall while also considering moving to court over proposed controversial finance bill 2023.
The controversial Finance Bill 2023 may be challenged in court, according to Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, June 6, Opiyo Wandayi, the minority’s leader in the National Assembly, stated that if President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza administration won over Parliament, they may consider recalling mass action.
He noted that their strategies were well-informed owing to the opposition the Bill was receiving from many Kenyans.
Mass action would also push more Kenyans to criticize the Bill if passed.
“We are not short of options, including but not limited to filing a suit in court. We also have mass action. This is the moment when mass action will be more justified than at any other time,” the lawmaker argued.
Wandayi indicated that their move to challenge the Bill in totality was also informed by Ruto threatening legislators allied to his faction against opposing the Bill in Parliament.
He noted that Ruto was out of order as he had no powers to instruct MPs on how to vote on a Bill.
“Under the new Constitution, no one outside Parliament can instruct MPs to vote a certain way. He is misinformed.
“Any of his instructions can only be received through his party representatives, including the Leader of Majority (Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah),” he stated.
However, Wandayi did not give a timeline of when they would move to the courts or recall mass action.
Government inks deal with Italy to Kenyans scholarship to study abroad
Revealed! How UDA MPs opposed to finance bill are secretly sabotaging Ruto
Raila to announce the way forward on finance bill Thursday
Notably, the debate on the Finance Bill is set to commence on Thursday, June 8, ahead of Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u reading the 2023/24 Budget on Thursday, June 15.
The Bill is yet to be tabled in Parliament for debate as the NA Finance Committee completed its hearings on Tuesday, June 6. The committee led by Molo MP, Kimani Kuria, is set to retreat to draft its final report.
Should Azimio move to court, Ruto will battle two cases, with Busia Senator and activist Okiya Omtatah’s petition against the Bill already certified as urgent.
Omtath sought to prevent the National Assembly speaker, Moses Wetangula, from presenting it to the President for ascension if MPs pass it.
“There is no prayer to stop Parliament from debating. The prayer is to stop the Speaker from transmitting the Bill to the President. If ascended to the court pray that the sections we have a problem with be squashed,” the senator stated during an interview on K24 TV.
Also read,
Raila declines invitation to share podium with Ruto at National prayer breakfast
Blow IG Koome as National Police Service Commission rejects new promotions amid sour relationship
Tough times ahead as CBK survey warns of an increase in prices of basic commodities
Follow us
