Kalonzo differs with Raila as he supports Ruto’s Finance Bill

Kalonzo differs with Azimio leader Raila Odinga over the future of the proposed controversial Finance Bill.

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on Sunday, May 4, differed with Azimio Leader Raila Odinga over the future of the proposed Finance Bill 2023.

Speaking at a church service at AIC Kasina in Mlolongo, Machakos County, Kalonzo supported President William Ruto’s controversial project. 

However, he issued a warning to Kenya Kwanza leaders for what he called the bullying of lawmakers who opposed the Bill. 

“By Friday, June 30, the National Assembly must have passed the Bill to Law. This is because the country needs to have funds for the 2023/2024 financial year so that the government can carry out its functions,” he explained why he was supporting the President.

His statement was contrary to that of opposition leader, Raila Odinga, on Tuesday, May 30, which stated that Azimio was rejecting the Finance Bill in totality.

“We have refused to sit back and watch Kenyans being harassed to fix cash crunch caused by economic mismanagement, wasteful spending, corruption and skewed and incompetent hiring into critical public positions.

“We reject this backward march. We reject the Finance Bill in total,” the statement from Raila’s Azimio stated in part.

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Kalonzo, while moving away from the hardline stance made by Raila, beseeched Kenya Kwanza leaders to accommodate divergent voices.

“We believe that the Finance Bill has a huge impact on Kenyans, so it is okay for people to give opposing views.

“People should not be branded as sell-outs for going to court to seek a determination on the proposals made on the Finance Bill,” he stated.

Kalonzo, in particular, defended Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who filed a lawsuit on Friday, June 2, challenging the legality of Finance Bill, 2023. 

“Omtatah is within his rights to go to court to oppose the increased taxation because the judgement about the Finance Bill should come from Kenyans,” the Wiper Party leader defended the first-term legislator.

Raila Odinga gave Ruto up to Monday, June 5, to withdraw the Bill or face the wrath of Kenyans led by the opposition.

“Enough is enough. We shall blow the trumpet and tell you what to do,” Raila told his supporters while issuing the ultimatum.

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