Withdraw Finance Bill, it's unpopular – ODM MPs tell state

Some ODM MPs want the Finance Bill 2023 withdrawn and have it formulated in a way that resonates with Kenyans.

The MPs argued that the controversial Bill is not popular among Kenyans due to the heavy taxes it will impose on them.

The legislators Opiyo Wandayi(Ugunja), Ong’ondo Were (Kasipul), Lillian Gogo (Rangwe),  Adipo Okuome (Karachuonyo), Tom Kajwang (Ruaraka), Rosa Buyu (Kisumu West) and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang said the Bill needs to be reviewed before it is brought to Parliament.

They want it formulated to conform to the needs of Kenyans and get accepted.

Wandayi argued that through public opinion many Kenyans have rejected the Bill and therefore it should be withdrawn.

“Majority of Kenyans have rejected the Bill and I think we shouldn’t waste time with it. The National Treasury should swiftly withdraw the Bill and allow Kenyans to amend it,” Wandayi said.

Speaking during the ODM officials’ meeting at Rawinji Chief’s Camp in Kasipul constituency on Saturday, the National Assembly Minority leader asked the government if there is a reason for reading the 2023/2024 Financial Year budget in Parliament if the Bill is not withdrawn.

He argued that the Finance Bill is a key component of the budget whose rejection means the unsuitability of the budget to Kenyans.

“Finance Bill 2023 is a crucial component of the budget. If people have rejected it then it means they have also rejected the budget,” he said.

MP Were poked holes in the Bill saying it will make life unbearable to Kenyans who are already struggling to make ends meet.

He argued that the three per cent housing levy was introduced in the Bill without the consent of Kenyans.

“Public participation was not done and that’s why the three per cent deductions for housing are not welcomed by Kenyans. Nobody asked the government to build them houses,” Were said.

He also criticised the plans to introduce electric motorbikes saying it will make some businesspersons run at a loss.

“Electric motorbikes will cost more than the petrol fuel ones. Reduce the cost fuel to make life easy,” Were said.

Okuome said introducing the Bill will encourage environmental degradation through hiked fuel prices.

“The Bill will hike the cost of fuel including Kerosene used by the majority of Kenyans as a source of energy. Many Kenyans will resort to cutting down trees for fuel and destroy the environment,” he said.

Gogo told the government to consider the plight of the common man who is burdened by the high cost of living.

She claimed the Constitution was violated as no appropriate public participation was undertaken.

“The government has wrong priorities by starting to increase taxes and wanting to build houses for people who don’t need them. The cost of living is unbearable,” Gogo said.

Senator Kajwang’ told MPs to reject the Bill to reduce the economic burden facing Kenyans. He said the Finance Bill is going to make life difficult for Kenyans.

“The voice of Kenyans wants the bill withdrawn. We’re also rejecting it in totality,” Kajwang’ said.