Azimio Coalition Withdraws Amendments to Finance Bill 2024

The Azimio Coalition has elected to withdraw all of its proposed amendments to the Finance Bill 2024.

This decision, made by Azimio-allied Members of Parliament (MPs), marks a notable shift in the ongoing legislative process surrounding this contentious bill. The Finance Bill 2024 has been a focal point of political debate in Kenya, with a total of 37 amendments proposed by 31 MPs. Of these, 13 were specifically linked to the Azimio coalition which had been vocal in expressing its reservations about the bill's contents. National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi reveals that the decision to withdraw the amendments came after extensive deliberations within the coalition.

The group ultimately concluded that pursuing these changes would be ineffective and fail to achieve their intended objectives. Wandayi characterizes this decision as a 'painful conclusion'. However, Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has provided clarification on the nature of these amendments. He emphasizes that they were filed by individual MPs rather than representing a unified stance of the Azimio coalition. Wetang'ula informs Wandayi that no communication had been received from the MPs authorizing him to speak on their behalf, thus distancing the amendments from the coalition's official position.

Currently, lawmakers are engaged in a meticulous examination of each clause of the Finance Bill during the committee stage. This process involves voting on proposed and independent clauses as well as considering potential new additions. The MPs who initially proposed amendments are expected to formally withdraw them at the appropriate juncture during the committee of the whole. A diverse group of MPs had put forward amendments to the Finance Bill including Mumias East MP Peter Salasya, Mwingi North MP Paul Nzengu and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi among others. The list also included nominated MPs.