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Thursday, July 6, 2023 –Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has poured cold water on attempts by the court to stop the Finance Bill.
Khalwale, who was participating in the morning breakfast show on Citizen Tv hosted by Trevor Mbija this Thursday July 6, corroborated earlier sentiments by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, saying the courts will not overstep their mandate to try and block the law recently signed by President William Ruto.
“The court cannot repeal the Finance Act 2023. Only Parliament has the power to make laws. There is no crisis; taxes are still being collected,” Khalwale stated.
Asked about the element of public participation which is crucial during such processes that touch directly on the common mwananchi, Khalwale said the intention of public participation was not to give people an opportunity to make law but to be part of the law-making process through suggestions of possible improvements.
Supporting his remarks was Advocate Adrian Kamotho who stated that the government will still deliver the expectations and promises given to Kenyans despite the temporary suspension of the Finance Act 2023. He also added that development expenditure will still go on as planned.
Nonetheless, Azimio MP Jared Okello who was part of the panelists on the show reminded the two that the Building Bridges Initiative BBI lost case at the court level despite getting a resounding victory in Parliament.
“Remember that this case is no different, BBI was passed in Parliament and nullified by the courts of law,” he recounted.
He was quickly supported by Lawyer Willis Otieno who described this regime as gone rogue and which wants to do things their own way; warning that, if not stopped, it will meet a heavy resistance from the people.
“A rogue national executive will always come up with punitive measures and tell its people there can be no changes; hence public participation cannot be ignored
“There will be no crisis in the country if High Court nullifies the Finance Act. Following public participation, 97% rejected it and they cannot all be wrong. Gov’t should not force their way on Kenyans,” Advocate Willis Otieno claimed.
And addressing the bipartisan issue that has since hit a brick wall, Advocate Kamotho blamed the stalled exercise on the opposition.
“The bipartisan talks are collapsing because of lack of goodwill from Azimio. They don’t want dialogue; they want to lead a mass action, which is not a helpful path for the country to follow because lives were lost and properties destroyed,” he said.
But in a sharp rejoinder, MP Jared Okello said Ruto’s government never wanted talks to take place from the first day arguing that President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have constantly been meddling in the whole affair hence making it hard for their representatives to decide on anything.
