Tough times ahead as Pro Ruto MPs vows to pass controversial finance bill unchanged
Pro Ruto MPs vows to pass controversial proposed finance bill 2023 unchanged despite uproar from the public
Pro Ruto MPs vows to pass controversial proposed finance bill 2023 unchanged despite uproar from the public.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei now says the proposed Finance Bill 2023 will be passed in parliament without amendments as suggested by the Opposition.
The Nandi Senator pointed out that the government has only two options; either borrow more or raise its own revenue through taxation.
“On the Finance Bill 2023, the decision to pass by Parliament is not optional where even coma shall not be amended because we either borrow more or raise our revenue through taxation.
“The serious public debt of Ksh10 trillion was put by the Handshake government of Uhuru and Tinga (Raila Odinga) that Kenyans are paying heavily now. Tinga did not raise an objection in the handshake government, yet he was senior advisor to Uhuru. This hypocrisy should stop,” noted Cherargei.
On Thursday, May 4, the National Treasury tabled the Finance Bill 2023 in the National Assembly, sparking uproar with proposals to increase taxes.
Mr. Cherargei who is also an ally of Ruto took a swipe at Azimio leader Raila Odinga for failing to raise any objection over the ballooning debt during the former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime terming his current opposition to the tax regime as “hypocritical.”
“Tinga did not raise an objection in handshake govt yet he was senior advisor to Uhuru then this hypocrisy should stop,” he said.
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, who doubles up as the majority leader in the Senate, concurred with Senator Cherargei.
“Any conversation on taxes without an accurate referral to the debt strain Kenya is facing is idle talk that should be ignored.
“Whether from the opposition or the media, what the country needs is a dose of reality on how steep the climb is, not cheap brownie points,” added Cheruiyot.
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The statement by pro Ruto MPs comes a day after Odinga described plans by the Kenya Kwanza government to raise taxes as punishment to Kenyans.
Raila argued that despite Ruto’s promise to lessen the burden of low-income earners, he has made the situation even worse.
One of the controversial items in the proposed bill is increasing the tax on fuel from 8 per cent to 16 per cent.
Additionally, the bill proposes a 3 per cent deduction of basic salaries to go towards the National Housing Development Fund.
Employers will have to match their employees’ deduction with another 3 per cent.
Furthermore, it proposes a 5 per cent excise tax on more products than previous budgets. Additional items set to be taxed included fake beards, eyebrows, eyelashes, and wigs.
Also read,
Ruto’s proposed finance bill to worsen the cost of living situation, Tax experts warn
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Raila raises concern over controversial Finance Bill 2023; Issues fresh demands
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