Members of Parliament have been cautioned against opposing the Finance Bill 2024, as failure to approve the same would have a big negative impact on the overall development of the country.
Consequently, Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika has reminded the legislators that even monies disbursed through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) won’t be realised should they not pass proposals contained in the Finance Bill, set for debate in Parliament on Tuesday this week.
“This Finance Bill is the one going to be used by the government to get funds. If it fails to pass in Parliament, know that there will be no money for bursaries, health care, construction of roads, provision of water, and other needs,” said Mbaika, while speaking at Mukuyuni Primary School during a fundraiser in aid of Mukuyuni Catholic Church on Sunday.
The PS was reacting to sentiments made by Kaiti MP Joshua Kimilu, who had earlier vowed to oppose the bill and ensure it did not pass in Parliament.
However, the PS said it is important for MPs to debate the bill with sobriety, saying that not all clauses therein, were bad, as some of the naysayers had tried to insinuate.
“You know the Finance Bill 2024, will definitely attract a robust debate in the House, and the process is participatory. Each clause will be looked into; if you feel it is not good for Mwananchi, remove it,” she noted.
Further, Mbaika urged the MPs to stop politicising the crucial bill in public places, saying that in such a scenario, members of the public may not get to understand the truth.
“People want development; they don’t want the many distorted words you are telling them about the finance bill,” posed Mbaika.
Speaking at the same event, her MSMEs Development counterpart Susan Mang’eni echoed the same sentiments, saying the proposed Finance Bill will help the government raise funds to finance its development activities, thus avoiding taking expensive loans from financial institutions.
“I urge Kenyans to be ready to pay taxes to develop our country. Nobody will come to develop Kenya; it is obligatory for us to pay taxes and boost our economic growth,” Mang’eni said.
Others present at the function included Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Kenya Railway Corporation MD Philip Mainga, Chairman Special Economic Zones Fred Muteti, and Wote Diocese Bishop Paul Kariuki, among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi
