UDA MPs defend decision to vote for contentious Finance Bill

Kenya Kwanza MPs have defended their decision to vote for the contentious Finance Bill claiming that they did it for the development of the country.

The over 15 lawmakers converged in Makwa village, Gatundu North during the launch of tarmacking of a 14-kilometer Gatukuyu-Makwa-Igamba road that’s being built at a cost of Ksh 800 million.

They include MPs Njoroge Kururia (Gatundu North), Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika), John Njuguna (Kiambaa), Chege Kiragu (Limuru) and Mburu Kahangara (Lari).

Others are John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe North), Githua Wamacukuru (Kabete), George Gachagua (Ndaragwa), George Macharia (Ndia) Duncan Mathenge (Nyeri), Woman Reps Anne Wamuratha (Kiambu), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua) and Jane Kagiri (Laikipia).

The lawmakers claimed that besides the bill being faced by opposition from various sectors, it means well for the country as it seeks to raise funds that are crucial for the country’s socio-economic growth.

Gatundu south MP GG Kagombe said that the bill has catered for farmers in the country noting that tea, coffee and dairy farmers will be the big winners with allocation of funds for cherry, fertilizer as well as better produce markets.

The MP said that Kenyans must remain patriotic and agree to pay taxes for the sake of the country’s growth and development.

His Thika counterpart Alice Ng’ang’a said that her decision to vote ‘Yes’ to the bill was informed by the need for funds for cash transfer, diapers, sanitary towels, subsidized fertilizer and bursaries.

Ng’ang’a called on President William Ruto not to be cowed by pressure from the opposition and demonstrators and instead remain focused in steering the country towards achieving economic prosperity.

Kabete MP Githua Wamacukuru said that this is imperative for the country’s growth noting that it will provide the much needed funds for development projects including roads, water, electricity, health among others.

The MP told Kenyans to support the state through its plan to grow and develop the country’s economy adding that all contentious elements in the bill have been struck out.

Ndia MP George Macharia who’s also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Roads and Infrastructure Committee, revealed that my Kenya region is set to benefit with roads projects worth Ksh 6 billion adding that the mau mau road project that has stalled for years will be revived.

Igembe North MP John Mwirigi noted that he voted for the bill due to provision of sufficient funds to the Universal Health Coverage that will ease access of medical services to cancer patients. He quipped that his constituency is among the regions with the highest number of cancer patients.

Meanwhile, the lawmakers chided Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for his persistent calls to unite the Mt Kenya region saying that he is spreading divisive politics. They said that the country is united and solidly behind the current regime for the sake of national unity and development.

MP Njoroge Kururia said that tarmacking of the crucial road is set to turnaround fortunes for Gatundu North residents who are mainly farmers and help boost the region’s economy.