Karua's Message to Wamuchomba After Voting Against Finance Bill

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has praised Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba for disregarding her party's stance and voting against the proposed Finance Bill 2023. 

Karua hailed the legislator for echoing the opinions of Kenyans, saying that Wamuchomba is a genuine representative of the people. The Githunguri MP on Wednesday sided with the opposition and voted against the bill. Her move was on Thursday defended by Azimio la Umoja Coalition spokesperson Makau Mutua. Mutua emphasized that democracies are propped by the few individuals who oppose their superiors, similar to what Wamuchomba did.

"No one should vilify MP Gathoni Wamuchomba for her position on the Finance Bill. Those attacking her don’t understand the genius of the democratic project, and why it’s the worst form of government except for all others, as Winston Churchill wisely opined... Let her be," Mutua said.  

The House approved the Finance Bill 2023 with 176 of the total 257 MPs voting in favour of the proposed tax regulations, while 81 voted against it. The bill will now be examined by the committee of the whole House, where members will be able to suggest their amendments. The committee will go through the bill clause by clause and cast a vote for each one.

Karua's statement comes amid nominated MP and ODM chairperson John Mbadi's declaration of intent to take legal action to have the bill annulled due to irregularities in its processing. Mbadi is concerned that the Bill was presented to the National Assembly before the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njunguna Ndungu had a chance to present the budget highlights for 2023-24.