#7DaysOfRage, #OccupyParliament, and #RejectFinanceBill2024 Starting To Bear Fruit: Ichung’wah Withdraws Land Laws Amendment Bill From Parliament

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has taken a step back from the controversial Land Laws (Amendment) (Number 2) Bill, 2023, which sought to impose land rent on freehold landowners and property owners who enjoy free ownership.

In a significant turn of events, Ichung’wah wrote to Speaker Moses Wetangula, announcing the withdrawal of the Bill. This move came amidst mounting pressure from public protests and the growing discontent embodied in the #7DaysOfRage, #OccupyParliament, and #RejectFinanceBill2024 movements.

In an amazing feat of foresight, his letter dated June 13 Ichung’wah cites numerous constitutional and legal issues arising from the Bill, advising that "no further consideration of the Bill should be undertaken." The #RejectFinamceBill2024 protests commenced later that week.

Smoke and Mirrors: The Genesis of the Controversial Bill

The Land Laws (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Ruiru Member of Parliament Simon King’ara, aimed to amend the Land Act of 2012 by inserting a new section immediately after Section 54. The proposed amendment would have required the owner of any freehold land within the boundaries of any urban area or city to pay an annual land levy equivalent to the land rent charged on a comparable leasehold property of the same size in the same zone. Moreover, it would have granted the Lands Cabinet Secretary power to acquire land compulsorily whenever the county or national government deemed it necessary.

The Alarming Implications

Experts had warned that if enacted, the amendments could see hundreds of Kenyans lose their property to the government. Dr. Mwenda Makathimo, the Executive Director of the Land Development and Governance Institute (LDGI), interpreted the Bill as an attempt to tax Kenyans for owning land in urban areas.

“This means the government is charging you a tax for owning freehold land which is not government land. The land you might have inherited from your parents or land that you might have bought is freehold land," Dr. Makathimo said.

Eva Makori, Acting Regional Coordinator of the International Land Coalition (ILC) Africa, added, “Imposing this annual levy on land that is freehold property essentially has the effect of converting freehold property into leasehold property. By that, it runs the risk of dispossessing many Kenyans who may not afford to pay the levy, including Indigenous people whose lands are ancestral.”

The Smoking Gun: Denial and Withdrawal

The most glaring revelation in this saga of bamboozlement is Ichung’wah’s initial denial of the Bill's existence.

Despite his earlier claims that no such Bill existed, it has been established that the Bill had indeed gone through all the necessary steps in the National Assembly and was poised to proceed to the Senate. This begs the question: what exactly is Ichung’wah withdrawing if the Bill never existed?

The Ruto Government’s Underhand Tactics

The Ruto government’s attempt to push this Bill through parliament underlines a worrying trend of underhand tactics aimed at dispossessing Kenyans of their land.

The initial denial, followed by a sudden withdrawal under pressure, suggests a strategy to obscure the true intentions behind the Bill. This manoeuvre raises serious concerns about the government's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Public Outcry and Protests: A Beacon of Hope

The public’s reaction to the proposed Bill has been nothing short of inspiring. The #7DaysOfRage, #OccupyParliament, and #RejectFinanceBill2024 movements have demonstrated the power of collective action in holding the government accountable. These protests, rooted in a deep-seated frustration with the government’s dubious economic policies and their impact on ordinary Kenyans, have played a crucial role in forcing the withdrawal of the controversial Bill.

A Call for Vigilance and Accountability

While the withdrawal of the Land Laws (Amendment) Bill is a victory for the public, it is also a stark reminder of the need for vigilance. The government’s attempt to quietly push through such a significant amendment without public consultation or proper scrutiny is deeply troubling. It underscores the importance of a vigilant and engaged citizenry in safeguarding their rights and holding their leaders accountable.

The withdrawal of the Land Laws (Amendment) Bill is a testament to the power of public pressure and the importance of transparency in governance. However, it also highlights the Ruto government's propensity for underhand tactics and the need for continuous vigilance. As Kenyans celebrate this victory, we must remain watchful and ready to stand against any future attempts to undermine our rights. The question remains: if the Bill never existed, what exactly was Ichung’wah withdrawing?

In the words of George Orwell, "The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it." The public must continue to speak the truth and demand accountability to ensure that such attempts to undermine their rights are never repeated.