At a recent gathering, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula criticized Members of Parliament (MPs) who oppose the Finance Bill 2024, accusing them of misleading the public. Wetangula emphasized the importance of MPs prioritizing their duties in shaping the nation’s budget and urged them to refrain from discrediting legislation for which they are responsible. He pointed out that MPs play a crucial role in crafting and passing the budget through parliamentary committees.
“I urge our MPs, I have given you a one-month break, now it’s time for the budget. You are the ones who formulate it in committees, you are the ones who pass it in parliament. Please spare the public the agony of coming to cry to citizens that the Finance Bill is bad, the budget is bad when you are the ones passing it. Sit in parliament with your colleagues, and do the right thing for the people of Kenya. Citizens are counting on you because they elected you,” Wetang’ula stated.
Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino has voiced his opposition to the contentious Finance Bill, describing it as unjust. Babu emphasized the burden imposed by the tax increments outlined in the Finance Bill 2024, which further exacerbate the already high cost of living for Kenyans. He pointed out that such increases only lead to escalated expenses without a corresponding increase in the income of ordinary citizens.
“When it comes to the Finance Bill, you know very well that Kenyans are suffering because of the high cost of living and every year the increment of the taxes leads to an increment in expenditure without an increment in income in the pockets of common mwananchi. Right now the Kenya Kwanza government is introducing a tax on bread. We know the French Revolution, it was caused because of economic inequality and social injustice. When common mwananchi were demonstrating demanding that the cost of bread be lowered in France during the reign of King Louis XVI. The people said you must lower the cost of bread, the wife to the king, Marie Antonette came out boldly and said ‘ If you guys can’t afford bread, eat cake’ That is what Ruto is telling us, that if we can’t afford bread, we eat cake. ” Babu stated.
Babu emphasized that mass demonstrations and refusal to negotiate with the government are the only ways to bring about change in the country, echoing sentiments expressed by His Excellency Kalonzo. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna echoed similar sentiments, urging Kenyans to increase pressure on their Members of Parliament during the upcoming discussions on the Finance Bill 2024. Sifuna expressed confidence in the ability of senators to address the Division of Revenue Bill and highlighted the importance of public engagement in influencing elected representatives.
“I was extremely encouraged by the way my colleagues from the Senate majority side dealt with the Division of Revenue Bill this time round. It demonstrates that public pressure works in pushing elected representatives to do the right thing,” Sifuna stated on his X account.
Sifuna raised alarm about the Finance Bill 2024, suggesting that President William Ruto’s administration is implementing measures that could worsen the financial strain on Kenyan citizens. He voiced trust in his own Member of Parliament, Tim Wanyonyi, and encouraged other citizens to engage with their MPs to address these concerns.
“I’m saying you must make life extremely unbearable for your MP now that we are in Budget Season. Ruto’s Finance Bill 2024 is significantly worse than the last one. He truly has depth, range, and creativity when it comes to ways of hurting Kenyans. So call your MP. I know Tim Wanyonyi will reject this bill. What about yours?” he added.
In alignment with Sifuna’s stance, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah emphasized the importance of citizen involvement in deliberations concerning the Finance Bill 2024. The National Assembly Committee on Finance also echoed this sentiment by encouraging Kenyan citizens to contribute their viewpoints on the newly introduced bill.
