Home News Kenyans Question U.S. Delegations’ Presence In Parliament During Finance Bill Debate
NewsPolitics

Kenyans Question U.S. Delegations’ Presence In Parliament During Finance Bill Debate

609
Kenyans Question US Delegation Presence In Parliament During Finance Bill Debate

Kenyans are questioning a group of 10 U.S. Congressional delegations, who, on Thursday, were sighted inside Kenya’s National Assembly Gallery as Members of Parliament (MPs) discuss the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

The visit was related to the newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between Kenya’s National Assembly and the House Democracy Partnership (HDP) of the U.S. House of Representatives—a partnership that intends to strengthen democracy but also oversees the exchange of legislative information and public debt oversight.

Kenyans have taken to social media platforms to voice their concerns, questioning the timing of this visit, particularly when Kenyans are vehemently opposing the contentious tax bill and advocating for its rejection rather than amendment.

While the context of the MoU signed is undisclosed to public knowledge, Kenyans have since focused their curiosity on why the U.S. Congressmen were watching Kenya’s MPs as they debated the Finance Bill 2024.

Also, Kenyans’ curiosity leans on whether certain relationships, such as budget oversight, gender equality, and democratic ties by the U.S., are genuinely beneficial to Kenya or serve a different purpose, considering the stance of Kenya’s parliament in ensuring the bill is enacted into law.

This MoU not only opens a new chapter between our legislatures but also bridges the gap of increasing economic and job opportunities in this great country,” says Kenya National Assembly Speaker Wetang’ula while highlighting the broader implications of the MoU.

In response, Congressman Jodey Arrington affirmed the mutual benefits of the partnership, noting, “Kenya has talent, and with that, capital will come. There’s a needed job growth. We have things that can help Kenya, and Kenya has things that can help America.”

The U.S. Congressional delegations were led by Vern Buchanan (representing Florida), Gwen Moore (representing Wisconsin), Dan Kildee (representing Michigan), Darin LaHood (representing Illinous), Neil Dan (representing Florida), Jodey Arrington (representing Texas), Barbara Jean Lee (representing Carlifonia), Drew Ferguson (representing Georgia), and accompanied by three U.S Congressional staff and staff from the United States Embassy Nairobi.

Read more: Israeli Defence Minister Runs To U.S. For ‘Critical’ Talks As Gaza-Lebanon Conflict Heightens

About The Author

Written by
Mayowa Durosinmi

M. Durosinmi is a West Africa Weekly investigative reporter covering Politics, Human Rights, Health, and Security in West Africa and the Sahel Region

Related Articles

Despite Empty Booth Setback at TICAD9, Tinubu Regime Falsely Claims Japan Approved ‘Special Visa’ for Nigerians in Kisarazu
NewsPolitics

Despite Empty Booth Setback at TICAD9, Tinubu Regime Falsely Claims Japan Approved ‘Special Visa’ for Nigerians in Kisarazu

As Nigeria’s global image struggles to recover from an avoidable embarrassment after...

Nigerian Passport
NewsTravel

Nigeria’s Passport Hike: How Rising Fees and Western Influence Are Pricing Ordinary Nigerians Out of Global Travel

Nigeria’s recent decision to raise the cost of international passports has sparked...

News

Russia Proposes Establishment Of Nuclear Power Plant in Niger

Russia has proposed building a nuclear power plant in Niger, offering broad...

Rose Gidado, Dual Regulator and Bill Gates-Funded TELA Maize Advocate, Defends GMO Safety With ‘We Won’t Poison Our Own People’
AgricultureNews

Rose Gidado, Nigeria’s GMO Regulator and TELA Maize Advocate, Defends Safety – ‘We Won’t Poison Our Own People’

Rose Gidado, Director at the Department of Agricultural Biotechnology of the National...