NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 21 – The showdown over the Affordable Housing Program between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio La Umoja Coalition will now shift to the courts following the failure of the latter’s amendments.
A group of Azimio lawmakers, led by National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohammed, staged a walkout during the proceedings of the Affordable Housing Bill 2023 amendment stage on Wednesday, alleging discrimination.
“Azimio filed several amendments, some yesterday and some today morning. Unfortunately, it looks like there are some instructions from the Kenya Kwanza regime that this bill be passed without amendment,” Mohamed said.
“So we decided to walk out of the chamber because we don’t want to participate in a rubber-stamping exercise or an illegitimate process,” he added.
The Azimio MPs accused President William Ruto of employing what they described as strong-arm tactics to influence the proposed law, thereby curtailing the Legislature’s freedom as an independent arm of government.
“Yesterday (Tuesday) some MPs told me they were coerced and intimidated, directed to vote for the bill or else development projects will be halted,” Junet stated.
“What kind of strong-arm tactic is that? MPs must always vote with their conscience and in accordance with their party position, not be intimidated and threatened,” he added.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo said that Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s deliberate attempts to block critical amendments to the bill have provided a legal basis for petitioners to challenge the housing levy fund.
“The Bill is unclear on everything, including ownership,” Amollo criticized.
Nominated MP John Mbadi criticized President Ruto’s administration for burdening Kenyans with taxes despite failing to address the harsh economic situation.
“Walking out is the right thing, let’s meet in courts,” Mbadi emphasized.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu questioned the haste of Kenya Kwanza MPs in fast-tracking the housing bill, which has failed to address issues surrounding the conversion of public land to private land, an emotive issue in the country.
“We, as Azimio, are planning on how we will move to the courts to challenge this thing because it doesn’t make sense. It’s not helping Kenyans, just a few tenderpreneurs,” Mulu remarked.
