Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now urges Kitui Members of Parliament to rally behind the Finance Bill 2023 in order for the government to implement much sought projects within the region
“If you want Umaa dam to continue and the road connecting Kitui town to Mwingi town then you must pass the Finance Bill 2023 because we can’t do without money
My salary and that of President William Ruto can’t implement all those projects you are seeking from the government,” Gachagua pleaded
However, Kitui Central Member of Parliament Dr Makali Mulu has told Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he will not support the Finance Bill 2023
Both leaders, speaking on Saturday 3rd May, during a fundraising event at St Charles Lwanga, Makali noted that if the two contentious issues will not be plugged out he will not pass it
“Your Excellency, I want to tell you here that since 2013 have never seen a bill facing such resistance like this one.
I am talking as an economist, there’s no country in the whole world has ever developed by taxing her people.
If you don’t stop increasing VAt on petroleum products from 8 per cent to 16 per cent and the housing levy then, my vote will be a big NO,” Makali boldly stated
Makali who sits in the budget and appropriation committee of the National Assembly, also noted that its their constitutional right to picket and provide oversight to the government
“Your Excellency, we thank you for the Kibwezi-Mutomo tarmac road but it’s also perturbing because all the affected families were never compensated by National Land Commission.
Kindly intervene so that my people can be paid, some of them are living at majengo slams in a pathetic rental rooms,” Makali requested.
He had also sought completion of the road to Mwingi from Kitui town instead of bypassing at Kanyoonyoo junction
“Umaa dam was in the flagship project by the late former President Mwai Kibaki and since then, the project has never been completed, it’s a blueprint project for it will supply water to thousands of families within kitui county,” He pleaded.
In his part, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau asked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to reconsider about the Finance Bill 2023 lest they end up being embarrassed at the parliament when all MPs will reject it in totality
The event was attended by notable leaders among them Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, Tourism CS Peninah Malonza and her counterpart Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda Munene as well as Kitui Catholic Bishop Fr Joseph Mwongela