We'll appeal Finance Act suspension - Ruto allies vow

A section of President William Ruto's allies has said the government will appeal the suspension of the Finance Bill 2023 by the High Court.

Two days ago, Justice Mugure Thande halted the implementation of the bill pending the mention of an application filed by Busia senator Okiya Omtatah on Wednesday for further directions.

But the MPs have who included Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Betty Maina (Murang’a Woman representative, Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Karungo wa Thang’wa (Kiambu senator) John Wanjiku (Kiambaa) and John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini) said the suspension hinders the implementation of government programmes.

Thang’wa emphasized that the Kenya Kwanza administration respects the judiciary but noted that its legal representatives will seek to have the ruling overturned.

“We should always respect the courts regardless of the decisions they make but we will fight the suspension and I am sure the government will be able to continue with its work."

Nyoro on his part noted that the government had increased funds allocated to the judiciary by 20 percent from Sh18 billion to Sh22 billion to enhance its independence.

He said suspending the implementation of the bill hinders the implementation of the recently passed budget that he said has numerous programmes geared towards uplifting Kenyans.

“We will go to court tomorrow to request that the suspension is removed. Some of the things we want to achieve are to raise the economy to prosperity. We did not campaign to be elected so we could sink the country deeper into debt."

Nyoro outlined some of the programmes that will be funded through the budget, the main ones being the education, roads, and health and agriculture sectors.

He added that the government plans to create 1 million jobs through the digital economy and that polytechnics and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions will have internet and computers installed to better equip youths for online jobs.

The Public Service Commission (PSC), he said, has been allocated Sh2 billion to facilitate the hiring of interns in government departments. The interns will receive Sh25,000 monthly stipends.

“Let the court look at the public good and interest. If you stop implementation of the bill, it is Kenyans who will suffer”.

Wanjiku said he was appalled by the suspension of the bill in its entirety saying individual clauses should have been singled out instead.

“We hope the judiciary will not be used by Azimio La Umoja to frustrate the government,” he said.

Kaguchia on his part assured Kenyans that MPs will ensure the funds collected as revenue through the finance bill are prudently utilized.

“We will make sure the funds we will help collect through the bill go towards bettering Kenyans’ lives."

But Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome castigated the Azimio La Umoja coalition for plotting to frustrate government operations.

He said the coalition’s plans from the word go were ensuring the government shuts down due to lack of funds.

“They will not succeed. With the President’s leadership and the interventions put in place, we will bring the government back on its feet."