This archive report was first published on 19 September 2019.
On September 19, 2019, the National Assembly began debating the Finance Bill, 2019, which aims to raise Sh30 billion to finance the Sh3.02 trillion budget for the current financial year.
However, lawyers in the House have opposed a plan by the government to designate advocates as reporting institutions to the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC) in the Finance Bill, 2019.
MPs George Murugara (Tharaka) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda) raised concerns that the move would violate the advocate-client confidentiality rule and make it difficult to practice law in the country.
They argued that the provision violates the Constitution, the Advocates Act, Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Act, and the Evidence Act.
Senior Counsel Prof Tom Ojienda also opposed the proposal, stating that the reporting obligation already lies with the financial institutions.
Leader of minority John Mbadi (Suba South) proposed that the amendment be withdrawn and brought as a substantive bill to allow members to dispense off the Finance Bill.
However, Leader of majority Aden Duale (Garissa Township) argued that it would not be possible to withdraw the bill since it has constitutional timelines and must be passed by September 30.
