By Peter Ochieng
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has given a thumbs up to over 100 Members of Parliament (MPs) who on Thursday voted against the Finance Bill, 2024.
The controversial Bill sailed through the second reading in the National Assembly, after 204 legislatures voted in favour, while only 115 voted against.
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.
The peaceful demos were randomly held in areas such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Bungoma, Kisii and Nyeri among others.
In Kisumu, several businesses remained shut as owners feared being looted, despite planners assuring the country that the demos would be peaceful.
Protesters in the Lakeside City assembled at Kondele, signaling the beginning of the demos.
Most of the demonstrators hit the streets after being mobilised through social media platforms, led by activists such as Boniface Mwangi.
President William Ruto, seemingly putting on a brace face in the face of public outcry over his punitive tax policies said every Kenyan has the right to peacefully assemble, picket and protest.
He however noted that the demos will not change his Kenya Kwanza administration’s plans aimed at ‘stabilising’ the country’s economy.