Gathoni Wamuchomba, the Member of Parliament for Githunguri, has reaffirmed her commitment to carry out her duties without succumbing to pressure or coercion. Recently, she made headlines for voting against the controversial Finance Bill 2023 during its presentation in the National Assembly on June 14.
Her decision to go against the bill, despite being a member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), has drawn criticism from both party members and government allies. Wamuchomba has strongly criticized the Finance Bill, describing it as “punitive, oppressive, and scandalous.”
During a Farmers Field Day event in Githunguri, Kiambu County, where President William Ruto was present, MP Wamuchomba expressed her determination to fulfill her legislative role and serve her constituents faithfully.
“Nawashukuru sana wakulima wangu kwa kunishikilia, kwa kuniombea na mimi ninaapa ya kwamba nitafanya kazi yangu kama mjumbe bila kuogopa na bila kuingiza baridi,” she declared.
Seizing the opportunity, President Ruto gauged the sentiment of the Githunguri residents regarding Wamuchomba’s stance. He urged the residents to support the bill, arguing that it contained measures designed to alleviate the burden of the struggling economy.
“Nasikia ati nyinyi watu wa Githunguri hamtaki mambo ya housing. Hawa vijana wote barabarani mtatoa wapi kazi ya kuwapatia,” Ruto stated. “Wabunge wote wamepiga kura kusema ya kwamba wacha tupange ajira ya hawa vijana mpaka wabunge wa upinzani wamekubali kwamba mpango wetu uko sawa na si tuendelee na hio barabara.”
During the Second Reading stage, the bill received support from 176 Members of Parliament, while 81 opposed it. The bill will now proceed to the Committee of the Whole House stage, where a committee will meticulously examine its clauses. Proposed amendments will be considered, and votes will be taken on each clause.
Subsequently, the bill will enter the report stage, during which the House will vote on the report. Members have the option to move for the House to reconvene as a committee to address any contentious clauses in the bill.
If the members reach a consensus, the bill will advance to the third reading, where the final vote will be taken. If passed, it will then be presented to the President for assent.
