By Peter Ochieng
After passing the second reading in the National Assembly on Thursday, political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi is certain that Members of Parliament (MPs) will eventually vote in favour of the Finance Bill, 2024.
This, is inspite of Kenya’s young people alias the millennials and Gen-Z mobilised through various social media platforms, staging demonstrations across the country against the Bill.
With huge crowds turning up for the demos, Ngunyi urrged the Head of State, William Ruto to listen to the young Kenyans, adding that they have a point.
“Dear Ruto: Now, Reject Finance Bill has passed.
What will GEN Z do? Do we tell them to sit on a pin? Or do we listen to them? I say we listen,” he shared on X.
He suggested that Ruto’s administration widens the tax paying net by having the youth employed.
“There is no harm. If they have a point. And a job. If they don’t pay taxes, what business do they have talking about grown up things?”
On Thursday, 204 MPs voted in favour of the controversial Bill as it sailed through the second reading. 115 legislatures voted against.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna gave a thumbs up to over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) who on Thursday voted against the Finance Bill, 2024.
Sifuna who doubles up as the Orange Democtratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General (SG) said he celebrates the 115 patriots who voted against the Bill.
“I celebrate the 115 patriots who heeded the call of Kenyans and voted against the Finance Bill 2024. Know their names,” he stated.
He warned that ODM MPs who voted in favour of the Bill are in for a rough time.
“As to the 204 who voted yes, I will leave to our new overlords, Gen Z, to do with as they please. As SG of ODM I will be recommending to the Party NEC that we initiate recalls in one or two constituencies held by some of those who went against the wishes of the people.”
The Bill went through second reading even as Kenyans came out in major towns across the country, to demonstrate against the Finance Bill, 2024.
Armed with placards calling on Members of Parliament (MPs) not to pass the Bill, crowds comprising majorly of Kenyans born in or after 2000, popularly known as millennials and Gen-Z were on the streets chanting slogans against the piece of legislation.