WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW;
- West Mugirango MP ,Hon Stephen Mogaka voted yes on the Finance Bill 2023, second reading.
- Mogaka had earlier pronounced to reject the bill
- MPS Clive Gisairo and Patrick Osero voted against the bill
West Mugirango MP Stephen Mogaka has received backlash from constituents and netizens after voting yes on the Finance Bill 2023 second reading.
The MP had previously been vocal in his opposition to the bill, calling it “punitive” and saying that it would make life harder for Kenyans.
In an interview with a local radio station on the day of the vote, Mogaka said that he would vote against the bill, citing opposition from teachers, doctors, and other constituents.
However, when it came time to vote, Mogaka voted yes, contrary to his earlier pronouncements.
READ MORE Full List: How The MPs Voted for the Finance Bill 2023
This has led to accusations of hypocrisy from constituents and netizens. Some have called for Mogaka to resign, while others have said that they will not vote for him in the next election.
In a Facebook post on Thursday morning, Mogaka defended his decision, saying that he had to vote yes in order to secure funding for development projects in his constituency.
“Voting in Parliament is alphabetical following the constituency names so that West Mugirango is among the last one to vote,” he wrote. “In yesterday’s voting our constituency chance to vote came when the Bill had got overwhelming support by the House and the question I had to decide on for my constituency was whether to vote for feelings or for development, whether to place our constituency vote in the Government side or outside Government.”
Mogaka also said that he had secured funding for a number of development projects in his constituency, including a new industrial park, roads, and schools.
“In this year’s budget we have secured 500M for Sironga industrial Park, several roads and schools for improvement and intensive electrification,” he wrote. “Upon passing this Bill and providing for the Kenya component, there is a grant of about 150M by Government of Kuwait for upgrading our constituency schools besides the normal NG-CDF allocation.”
Not all MPs voted yes on the Finance Bill 2023 second reading. MPs Patrick Osero of Borabu Constituency and Clive Gisairo of Kitutu Masaba boldly voted against the bill.
MP Gisairo cited the housing levy and 16% VAT tax on petroleum products as grounds for rejecting the bill.
“I cannot support a bill that will make life harder for Kenyans,” he said. “The housing levy is too high, and the 16% VAT tax on petroleum products will make fuel more expensive. This will have a negative impact on the cost of living for everyone.”
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