Joseph Namuar, the MP for Central Turkana, has asked to be pardoned after being among the Members of Parliament who supported the Finance Bill 2024 by voting Yes to it.
204 MPs supported the bill last week, hence making it sail through to the second reading that went down on Tuesday.
The move angered Kenyans who have been opposing the bill, further fueling protests that saw them raid the Parliament, shortly after the Finance Bill passed the second reading stage on Tuesday this week.
“If by any means we made a mistake, we the MPs who voted YES to the Finance Bill ask for forgiveness. And just the way the president called for a dialogue, we as the president’s soldiers, ask for forgiveness on your behalf,” Namuar said.
He further noted that the head of the state listens to the people after he agreed to withdraw the bill.
“I commend President Roto’s leadership in ensuring that every ordinary person knows that the president listens to their visions,” he said.
Namuar’s remarks come after the President William Ruto announced that he had heeded the voice of the people, therefore declining to sign the bill into the law.
“Having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill of 2024, I will decline to assent to the bill,” President Ruto said. “Therefore, I will not sign the Finance Bill 2024 and it shall be subsequently withdrawn and I have agreed with these members, that shall become our position.”
