Members of Parliament have been reportedly 'offered' trips out of Nairobi as a strategy to keep them out of the house ahead of crucial voting on interest rates.
The legislators are expected to vote on removing caps on interest rates as recommended by President Uhuru Kenyatta, a move that is being opposed by a section of MPs.
According to those opposed to the removal of caps on interest rates, the scheme would ensure than Parliament lacks enough requisite to reject the proposal.
Majority Leader Aden Duale, who is responsible for transaction of government business, accused MPs of failing to read Uhuru's proposals before opposing them.
“Those claiming that they will shoot down the bill should read the President's reasons. It is clear that the cap has not served the purpose it was meant to serve; that of making loans less expensive. Let us have a sober discussion on issue of interest rates, which have denied small scale business loans. As the Majority leader, I’m ready for them. Nimejipanga (I have planned well). It will not happen under Uhuru’s watch,” said the Garissa Township MP.
But Kiminini MP Dr Chris Wamalwa has accused parliamentary leadership of sending MPs out of Nairobi to defeat the plan to shoot down the proposal.
“I’m being told that people are being issued with trips outside the city so that we don’t have the numbers on the day. If there are any trips out of Nairobi, they should be stopped,” said deputy Minority Whip Chris Wamalwa.
Marakwet East MP, Kangogo Bowen said: “They have called chairmen and vice-chairmen of committees and instructed them to support the bill, short of which there will be consequences. People are being offered trips and being told that they must submit reports within a certain period,” said.
Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo, who first introduced the caps, said there is "spontaneous" support to maintain the interest controls, and condemned what he called a "conspiracy by banks to fleece Kenyans through high-interest rates".
Once the proposal by the president is not defeated in Parliament, it would be assumed that the bill has been effectively passed without any amendments.