The Finance Bill, 2024, has passed the second reading stage after 204 Members of Parliament (MPs) voted “yes” against 115 who rejected it, as people protested across the country against plans by the government to raise additional taxes.
It now moves to the second stage, committee stage where any proposed amendments to it are considered and a vote is taken on each. The Committee, which is comprised of the whole membership of the National Assembly, proceeds to approve clauses with or without amendments before a report is sent to the House seeking approval.
“The matter of the Finance Bill are now over, we wait for the committee of the whole, those who have amendments to file, clerk and his team will process those amendments,” National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangu’la said.
He added: “The House will sit on Tuesday morning when we will proceed on the same matter. Open the bar, open the doors, now call out the next order.”
If the Bill is approved, it moves to the final stage which is the Third reading, where no amendments are made and a final vote is taken. It is at this point that the Speaker of the National Assembly transmits it to the President for assent.
The President has 14 days, to assent to it or refer it back to the House with some reservations.
