Africa-Press – Kenya. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday lauded MPs who voted in favour of the Finance Bill, 2023.
Speaking in Kilifi on Thursday during the Annual Regional Conference 2023, Gachagua said all MPs who voted for Finance Bill are part of Kenya Kwanza plan.
“I want to thank our Deputy Majority Leader(Owen Baya), you people in Parliament did us proud, you stayed up late and passed the Finance Bill,” he said.
“I have heard people saying that the MPs are President William Ruto’s voting machine, there is nothing like that, nobody forces a machine in Parliament, they were not voting for what Ruto wants.”
Gachagua added that the MPs voted for their agendas and their responsibilities. The DP said funds from Finance Bill will be used prudently to benefit Kenyans.
On Wednesday night, MPs passed the proposed Finance Bill, 2023. This was after days of intense debate and amendments to the bill.
The Bill will now be sent to the president to assent, for the proposals to become law.
At least 184 MPs, largely from Kenya Kwanza supported the bill whereas 88 MPs opposed it.
Key among the proposals passed was the 16 per cent value-added tax on fuel, up from 8 per cent.
The contentious Housing levy, which had initially proposed to be at 3 per cent was also passed after it was amended to 1.5 per cent of gross pay. It had been converted into a tax.
Tax for digital creators will be charged at 5 per cent. This had initially been proposed to be at 15 per cent.
Other affected are betting and insurance withholding tax, which will be charged at 12.5 per cent and 16 per cent respectively.
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