Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah | File Photo: Courtesy – Mzalendo
On Friday, June 2, Senator Omtatah filed a petition challenging the proposals in the Finance Bill, 2023. In his submission, he argued that the proposed Bill was unconstitutional and, therefore, needed the intervention of the court.
He highlighted the mandatory salary deductions to support the President’s Housing Fund agenda, which he argued that Kenyans could not be forced to pay.
He pointed out that some sections threatened the right to property access to justice and the constitution in general. He wants the court the court to issue orders suspending the debate, prohibiting the Speaker of the National Assembly from transmitting the Bill to the President.
“Section 28 of the Bill, which imposes 16% VAT on petroleum products, will cause an impact that would be like that of somebody trying to remove the industrial base of this country,” Omtatah stated, “Businesses are going to move out and the country is going to be very expensive and unproductive. That threatens the right to social-economic rights in Article 43,” he continued.