Why Ruto postponed Kenya Kwanza PG meeting on Finance Bill 2024

President Ruto postpones Kenya Kwanza PG meeting on Finance Bill 2024 after a request from MPs
President Ruto postpones Kenya Kwanza PG meeting on Finance Bill 2024 after a request from MPs.
The Kenya Kwanza Parliamentary Group meeting slated for Monday, June 10, at State House, Nairobi, has been postponed.
President William Ruto would preside over the meeting aimed at deliberating on the Finance Bill 2024 and the stance the lawmakers in the governing coalition ought to take.
Senate Majority Leader and Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot revealed the meeting was called off and scheduled for a later date (June 17) after a request by the MPs.
He said the lawmakers requested more time for the National Assembly’s Finance and Planning Committee to take in more views from the taxpayers and other stakeholders.
“There was to be a PG on Monday. But it has been postponed after the MPs asked for more time to finalize the report after engaging stakeholders over the bill,” said Cheruiyot.
The senator, however, dismissed the belief that the postponement was due to the perceived tension in the ruling coalition in which divisions have lately been evident.
The Finance Bill 2024 is yet to be tabled in the National Assembly for the First Reading as it goes through the legislation process.
Kenyans have poked holes in the tax proposals therein, arguing it will hurt their economic wellness.
Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga criticised the bill saying the country will be worse if it is not revised.
Ruto CS takes a swipe at DP Gachagua over his One-Man-One-Shilling campaign
Four workers dead after Al-Shabaab militants attack a construction site in Kenya
You’re cowards, Natembeya to Western MPs after skipping the prayer event
DCI reveals how man tricked woman into a vehicle before attempted pape
Ruto issues new directive over high-rise buildings cap in Nairobi estate
Oscar Sudi summoned over alleged land grabbing in Uasin Gishu
Ruto appoints new head of Government Delivery Service
In a statement on Friday, June 8, Raila said the tax burden in the country is at its highest level since independence, but public services have largely remained on their knees.
The former Prime Minister pointed out that the Finance Bill 2024 fails the taxation dictums of predictability, simplicity, transparency, equity, administrative ease, and fairness.
He termed the bill as regressive taxation that will hit low-income earners with taxes from multiple fronts than high-income earners.
“It is worse than the one of 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would see the government lessen the tax burden in 2024,” read the statement in part.
The opposition chief also highlighted the proposed taxes on bread and edible oil saying it would result in the cost of food rising.
Also read,
President Ruto issues directive to Gachagua after chairing UDA meeting
Haiti Prime Minister rushed to hospital after just a week in office
DP Gachagua responds after Ruto convenes crisis meeting amid alleged fallout in government
Francis Ogolla’s son stands in for his father during Kenya Air Force’s 60th-anniversary fete
Follow us