President William Ruto has declined to sign the Finance Bill, 2024, and has sent it back to Parliament for further consideration before they break for recess today. The Head of State has proposed several amendments to the Bill, which MPs will now have to review.
Parliament has two options: it can amend the Bill in light of the President’s reservations or pass it a second time without making the suggested changes. When returning the Bill, the President will highlight the key areas that he believes need alteration.
If MPs amend the Bill to fully accommodate the President’s reservations, the Speaker will then resubmit it to the President for assent. Alternatively, if the House considers the President’s reservations but decides to pass the Bill a second time without amendments or with amendments that do not fully address his concerns, this must be supported by a two-thirds majority of the members.
With MPs set to go on recess starting today until July 23, the Speaker may need to recall Parliament should the President return the document for further review.
