Senator Okiya Omtatah of Busia County and four others have filed a legal challenge against the planned 2023 Finance Bill.
They contend in the petition that the measure is a danger to human dignity and socioeconomic rights because of the high cost of basic items that will arise if it becomes law.
“Pending hearing and determination, the court is pleased to issue orders suspending debate on sections 28, 30, 33, 36, and 76 of the Finance Bill 2023,” reads the court documents.
They have urged the court to seek an interim injunction banning the speaker of the National Assembly from forwarding the approved Finance Bill 2023 to the president if it contains the challenged parts.
“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 argued.
It is their argument that the proposed approach is coercive and limits the options which individuals have in choosing their housing plans or how to use their property.
They further submit that Section 76 of the bill threatens the freedom to own property by proposing to compel civil servants to participate in a mandatory tax scheme disguised as a means to facilitate property acquisition.
