- Kalonzo says Ruto’s government is imposing too many taxes on Kenyans and will soon lack oxygen to breathe.
- He lauded Azimio MPs for opposing the budget and Finance Bill saying the opposition is opposed to the taxation plan in good faith to protect Kenyans.
Wiper Democratic Party Leader Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has poked holes in government’s taxation plan as outlined in the controversial Finance Bill, 2023.
Kalonzo says President William Ruto’s government is imposing too many taxes on Kenyans and will soon suffocate them.
“Wanataka kumaliza nchi kwa ushuru, yaani hata hewa ambayo tunapumua wakiendelea namna hivi huenda itaanza kutolewa ushuru kwa kupumua hewa, tumekataa mambo hayo ,”he said.
(He want to finish Kenya with taxes, if they continue like that they will may start taxing even the air we breathe; we strongly reject that)
The Wiper leader was speaking on Friday in Taita Taveta.
He commended Azimio MPs for opposing the budget and Finance Bill saying the opposition is opposed to the taxation plan in good faith to protect Kenyans.
On Wednesday, 81 opposition MPs out of 257 opposed the Bill while 176 MPs voted to endorse it at the second stage of reading.
Azimio has since expressed optimism that all is not lost after the vote was called in Kenya Kwanza’s favour.
ODM said the 81 MPs spoke for millions of oppressed Kenyans and deserved a standing ovation
“Congratulations to the 80 plus members of Parliament who voted against punitive Finance Bill 2023/24. Your voice has been heard. You stood with Kenya. Your vote represented millions of oppressed poor and helpless Kenyans,” the party said
ODM party has written to 28 of its MPs who either voted in favour of the Bill or absconded the voting session.
The party wants the members to show course why disciplinary action should not be instituted against them for going against party’s stand to oppose the Bill.
However, Wiper party has not yet communicated to their MPs who absconded the crucial voting exercise among them Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule and Dr Irene Kasalu of Kitui County MP among others
The Bill now moves to the committee of the whole House where members will have a chance to push through their amendments.
The committee will review the Bill clause by clause and have members vote on each proposal.
Among key amendments to the Bill is the proposed 15 per cent for Digital Content Creators which has been reviewed to 5 per cent.
The proposed three per cent housing levy has also been reduced to 1.5 per cent in the new amendments