NAIROBI, Kenya – Azimio-allied Members of Parliament have withdrawn all 13 of their proposed amendments to the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
This decision was made following a meeting on Monday, where Azimio leaders concluded that their efforts would be futile against the current political landscape.
The amendments, which were among 37 proposed by 31 MPs ahead of the committee stage for the Finance Bill, were pulled back as Azimio MPs deemed them ineffective.
National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi explained the rationale behind the withdrawal, emphasizing the extensive consultations that led to this “painful conclusion.”
“You must take cognizant of the huge numbers of amendments that have been withdrawn and it is good to put that into context,” Wandayi stated.
“For the benefit of the members of the public, you can see these amendments that have been dropped emanated from the Azimio coalition as a result of extensive consultations.”
Wandayi further clarified that Azimio deemed the amendments as an exercise in futility, describing the Finance Bill as a process they have consistently declared as fraudulent.
In response to the withdrawal, Speaker Moses Wetang’ula pointed out that the amendments were filed by individual members, not on behalf of the Azimio coalition.
“The amendments withdrawn are not your amendments, none of them belongs to you,” Wetang’ula addressed Wandayi. “I have not received any communication from anyone who has withdrawn their amendments that they have asked you to speak on their behalf.”
Despite the withdrawal, the MPs are still required to formally withdraw their amendments during the committee stage.
The process will involve each lawmaker rising at the prescribed time to officially retract their proposals.
The amendments were initially proposed by a diverse group of MPs, including Peter Salasya (Mumias East), Paul Nzengu (Mwingi North), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), John Wanjiku (Kiambaa), Emmanuel Wangwe (Navakholo), and Peter Kaluma (Homabay Town).
Other MPs involved were Mukunji Gitonga (Manyatta), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), Farah Yussuf (Wajir West), Clive Gisairo (Kitutu Masaba), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), and Irene Mayaka (Nominated).
Additionally, Caleb Amisi (Saboti), Wakili Edward (Gatanga), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop), Michael Muchira (Ol Joro Orok), Danson Mwashako (Wundanyi), Joshua Kimilu (Kaiti), Rindikiri Mugambi (Buuri), Mary Maingi (Mwea), Patrick Makau (Mavoko), and Mwingi West MP Charles Ngusya were set to move amendments.
