Senator Omtatah moves to court against the Finance Bill

By Peter Ochieng

Busia Senator cum human rights activist Okoiti Okiyah Omtatah has made good his threat of moving to court against the Finance Bill, 2023.

Addressing president William Ruto on Sunday during a thanks giving service at the Busia County Stadium, Omtatah said he would swiftly move to court against the bill, on grounds that it threatens socio-economic being of Kenyans.

"This is a war for the republic of Kenya. It is a fight for the soul of this country and we are not going to shy from it. We don't have another country. This is all we have," said the first term legislature.

Ruto pleaded with him not to take the fight against the bill to court corridors, but it seems his pleas fell on deaf ears.

The Senator and four other activists have since moved to court, arguing that the bill will cause the cost of living to go up more, it the National Assembly passes it into law.

They are particularly opposed to the proposed 3% housing levy.

“Section 76 threatens socio-economic rights to the extent that if made law, the fund will require a 3 per cent reduction in basic salary for employees and 3 per cent contribution from employers thereby reducing workers purchasing power as it increases business operating costs,” they argue in court papers.

“If it becomes law, section 76 threatens to subject taxpayers in formal employment to unreasonable administrative action contrary to the law by proposing a formula which cannot guarantee a house to any person contributing to the so-called housing fund."

Speaking during the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations at the Moi Stadium in Embu on Monday, Ruto said the Bill is non-negotiable.