Court of Appeal lifts order suspending Finance Act, 2023

Ndungu pleaded with the court saying there will be a budgetary crisis if the order is not lifted.

In Summary
  • Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Eliud Matindi, Michael Otieno and four others moved to court challenging the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023.

Court gavel
Court gavel
Image: FILE

The Court of Appeal has set aside an order suspending the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023.

Justice Mohamed Warsame, Kathurima M'Inoti and Hello Omondi on Friday ruled that they were persuaded that the applicants have satisfied the principles for the grant of the orders sought, and that, public interest tilts in favour of setting aside the conservatory orders by the trial Judge.

"The upshot of our decision is that the application has merit and the same is allowed as prayed with the effect that the order made on July 10, 2023, suspending the Finance Act 2023, and the order prohibiting the implementation of the Finance Act 2023, be and is hereby lifted pending the hearing and determination of the appeal," the judges ruled. 

Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu had said the suspension of the Act is affecting government operations.

Ndungu pleaded with the court saying there will be a budgetary crisis if the order is not lifted.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Eliud Matindi, Michael Otieno and four others moved to court challenging the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023.

The petitioners wanted the Finance Act declared unconstitutional, arguing that there is no concurrence of both Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate on matters relating to counties.

Further, they argued that the tabling of the Finance Bill, now an Act after President William Ruto assented to it, was done without following due procedure.

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