A total of 889 submissions on the Finance Bill, 2023 were submitted to the National Assembly’s committee on finance, statistics have shown.
Out of this, 756 were sent through email while 133 were made before the Committee by various entities and individuals.
With the period to submit the views having lapsed, it has emerged that the 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum products and the three percent housing levy are the proposals with the highest petitions.
National assembly clerk Samuel Njoroge who gave the breakdown did not, however, disclose the number of those opposed to it.
The bill specifies the revenue measures by the government in the next financial year, starting July 1.
It has a timeline approval of June 30 to coincide with the enactment of the Appropriation Law, 2023.
A 35 percent tax on employees earning Sh500, 000 and above is also among the proposal that has received a significant number of petitions.
Kenyans have continued to give varied views on the bill even as President William Ruto drum up for support for it saying it will among other benefits help solve matters of unemployment of the youth across the country.
"Katika hiyo budget nimeweka pesa ya kupeleka ICT hub katika ward, ndio tupange vijana na digital jobs. Tumepanga mambo ya agro-processing, ya tatu ni mambo ya housing," he said in Busia on May 28.
(On the proposed finance bill 2023, I have set aside money for ICT hubs in every ward across the country that will enable the youth to apply for digital jobs, there are plans on agro-processing and Affordable housing)
The Committee is set to retreat beginning Wednesday to consider the views of the public before it is tabled in Parliament for debate.
National Assembly majority whip Silvanus Osoro gave an undertaking Monday that the government will amend some of the proposals in the bill.
In a backpedal move, Osoro said the essence of collecting views was to guide in making necessary amendments.
"When you hear different sectors proposing some changes, we're not going to throw them under the bus, it is part of the process," Osoro said in a TV interview.
A major showdown will be expected in parliament when the Bill is tabled with the Opposition side having shown signs of rejecting it.
Ruto marshalled his camp during a recent parliamentary group meeting to support it.
