Kitutu Chache North MP Japhet Nyakundi and Kisii Woman Representative Donya Toto on Saturday clashed at a burial over the contentious Finance Bill 2023.
There were murmurs and jeers from mourners after Nyakundi attempted to convince the gathering that the bill had more good than evil.
The two leaders were speaking at the burial in the Ikuruma area.
“It is only being rejected by those who have been opposing us from the elections and who we resoundingly defeated. The bill is not as bad as they are painting it,” Nyakundi said.
The UDA lawmaker said the government needs money to help it fund its development agenda for its people and thus the reason the bill should sail through.
“Mine is tell those who are against it (the bill) to re-examine their positions and stop making exaggerated comments about it when they are still much better they are ignoring,” the legislator told the residents.
Not all went well though as a section of the audience demanded their MP to join hands with those opposing the bill.
“Ni mbaya, tumeikataa,” some mourners shouted back in unison as the MP spoke.
Earlier, Woman Rep Donya Toto who was also present described the bill as punitive. She said if passed in its current form it is likely to bring catastrophic effects to the already struggling Kenyans.
“I have already made up my mind to vote no to this bill and politely urge your MP who is here to also reject it and stop supporting it just because he is in government,” Toto said.
She said the bill roots for over-taxation which will significantly affect the citizens.
“I have already reached out to more like your mp who have vowed to reject it, “she said.
Nyakundi said, only 3 million of the Kenyan population would be affected by the controversial housing levy.
“Even so, it is a positive effect not a negative one as they are saying,” he explained .
Many of those to benefit, he added are the youthful population who would benefit from getting the house on a mortgage scheme.
“They (opposers) are not seeing that we have removed tax from tea and coffee so it can help the farmer to earn well from their sweat,” the MP said.
” It is hypocritical that the opposition is vehemently opposing everything noble this government is set out to do for our people, someone tells them we are not going slow on this agenda.”
Other mps who have vowed to vote no to the bill include Anthony Kibagendi (Kitutu Chache South), Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka and Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku. BY THE STAR