Summary:
- Azimio la Umoja MPs demand immediate refund of Housing Levy deductions, citing illegality based on a recent court ruling.
Feb 2 (TopNews) – Members of Parliament aligned with the Azimio la Umoja coalition have taken a firm stance regarding the Housing Levy deductions from their January salaries. Led by the outspoken National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the MPs are demanding an immediate refund of the deductions, emphasizing their belief in the illegality of the deductions following a recent Court of Appeal ruling.
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In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Moses Wetangula, Wandayi underscored the urgent need for a commitment from the PSC to refund the Housing Levy deductions without any delay.
He explicitly stated, “Such deductions are an illegality and fly in the face of the clear court ruling. It amounts to contempt of court.” The MPs, through Wandayi’s letter, highlight the crucial role of Parliament in upholding the rule of law and constitutionalism, urging the PSC to protect its standing in society.
Despite the setback faced by the State in the Appellate Court, where the High Court decision declaring certain sections of the Finance Act, 2023, including the Housing Levy, unconstitutional was upheld, President William Ruto has pledged to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
Ruto expresses deep concerns over the ruling’s potential impact on jobless Kenyans, further intensifying the debate surrounding the controversial levy and its implications.
The legal battle over the Housing Levy remains ongoing, with key stakeholders closely monitoring developments and the potential outcomes. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the demands made by Azimio la Umoja MPs reflect a broader struggle for accountability and adherence to legal principles within the country’s governance structures.