Kenya Kwanza obsessed with money; rushed Finance Bill debate, says John Mbadi

Public Accounts Committee Chairman John Mbadi. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has faulted the Kenya Kwanza government for contravening the Public Finance Management Act after presenting the Finance Bill, 2023 in Parliament on Wednesday.

In a statement on Friday, June 16, ODM chairperson John Mbadi questioned why Kenya Kwanza was in a hurry to pass the bill yet they have the numbers in both houses.

"The majority side had no justification in pushing for the vote on a Finance Bill in a rushed manner in which they did. It is anticipated in law that debate on the bill and indeed any voting would have succeeded the Budget highlights by the CS," Mbadi said.

The Public Accounts Committee Chair further castigated the government for what he termed as a tendency of 'deceiving' Kenyans.

He now wants the proposed Finance Bill, which sailed through the second reading in Parliament on Wednesday withdrawn.

"Kenya Kwanza must do things according to the law and immediately withdraw the impugned Bill and conclude the money process in line with the law. If the courts remain true to precedent then as we were told in the BBI, the lawful process must be adhered to."

"What is this rush to get money? What is this obsession with money talk every time they address the public that leads them to act outside the law?" the ODM chair posed.

Members of Parliament on Wednesday voted to have the Finance Bill, 2023 proceed to the third reading stage in Parliament.

176 lawmakers voted in favour of the Bill, while 81 opposed it.