'President asks for your support in passing Finance Bill, you will be seeing more of him from now'

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has called on Kenyans to back President William Ruto’s contentious Finance Bill 2024.

Speaking on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, during the launch of the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP-IV) 2023-2027 framework, Kindiki assured that President Ruto will be more involved in commissioning projects now that the economy has stabilized.

“Sasa mambo yamekuwa sawa, we were almost going bankrupt as a country, kang’ang’ana na safari ya ng’ambo na apa, sasa mambo yamekua dhabiti, we are not in a bad place. So the same way you will be seeing me, you will be seeing more of the president,” said Kindiki.

He explained that the government’s primary focus during the first two years was on debt repayment and economic stabilization, which limited their ability to launch new projects.

“The first two years we have not been able to do much. The government could not do much, we were paying debts, stabilizing the economy, but now going forward, you will see the president here more often, the ministers, PSs. They will be coming to launch, and bring various projects we are rolling out,” Kindiki added.

Kindiki emphasized the importance of supporting the Finance Bill, highlighting that it is crucial for the successful implementation of the planned projects.

“That’s why president amesema mmuunge mkono apitishe Finance Bill,” he said.

MPs on Finance Bill petition

Members of Parliament (MPs) asked the High Court to dismiss a petition by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah that seeks to block consideration of the Finance Bill 2024.

Advocate Sandra Nganyi, representing the National Assembly, argued that the issues raised were previously addressed in a 2018 case and are pending appeal. She claimed the petition is premature, as it challenges a bill not yet enacted.

“The petition is incompetent and an abuse of court process to the extent that the petitioners are challenging a bill which is yet to be enacted. We will be asking the court to dismiss it,” Nganyi said.

Omtatah countered, saying his petition is not related to the pending appeal and questions the bill’s introduction without approved budget estimates. He argued that the petition is timely since the National Assembly is already considering the bill.

“We are not challenging the merit of the Finance Bill. We are only asking the court whether the bill can be introduced at this stage where we don’t have the approved budget estimates,” Omtatah said.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi stated that a decision on the preliminary objections will be made in three days, with a ruling date set for June 19.

Omtatah previously challenged the 2018 Finance Act, arguing it was improperly presented for presidential assent after failing to secure the necessary support. This matter is still pending in the Court of Appeal.

Omtatah and Matindi assert that the Finance Bill 2024 is premature without an approved fiscal framework for the 2024-25 financial year.

They seek a court order to suspend the bill’s consideration, citing the constitutional requirement that budgets must include revenue and expenditure estimates, distinguishing between recurrent and development expenditures.

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