Tax law is a done deal, Ruto team declares

President William Ruto's troops in parliament on Monday declared the controversial Finance Bill is a done deal even as the opposition said it will declare its final position on Thursday.

National Assembly Minority Whip Silvanus Osoro said the Bill enjoys support across the political divide disclosing that up to 50 opposition MPs are silently in support.

Speaking at his parliamentary offices, the South Mugirango MP noted that the government is mobilizing numbers that will see the Bill sail through with minimal resistance.

In justifying the Bill, Osoro argued that the government must finance its budget and the only way is to tax Kenyans or go for more borrowing.

The current borrowing ceiling, he stated, cannot allow the country to borrow more.

The Whip disclosed that Kenya Kwanza is already having in its bag at least 150 MPs who are for the Bill which only requires a simple majority to move to the next stage.

“I had meeting with about 100 members from the majority side in phases, I met 40, another 40 MPs and then 20 members. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I am also meeting about 50 MPs from the minority side and they are convinced that the Bill is the right thing for the country and they will support it,” Osoro said.

“Already I am having the support of about 150 MPs because winning in the National Assembly is about strategy, what numbers do you have?”

He said Kenyans will be surprised at the overwhelming support the Bill will get from the Azimio quarters when it is finally subjected to a vote.

“You have not heard the Minority whip displaying activeness in opposing the Bill and yet he is supposed to whip his members to oppose it. In fact, don’t be surprised that he will not even attend the sitting because that is part of our strategy,” he said.

The South Mugirango also listed Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris and Nyaribari Masaba MP Daniel Manduku as some of the Raila-allied lawmakers who have defied Azimio's position and pledged support for the Bill.

The Star could not however verify the claims as the two lawmakers were unreachable on the phone.

Osoro spoke even as Raila gave a fresh directive to Azimio MPs to oppose the Bill adding that the coalition will give further directives on Thursday.

The Bill that has been widely rejected will be tabled on the floor of the House on Thursday for second reading.

At this stage, MPs will debate its content and then vote before it proceeds to the next stage.

“We will give our position on Thursday, we shall tell Kenyans why we are opposed to this bill,” Raila said on Thursday.

“Our MPs have been directed to strongly oppose that Bill, those who will support the Bill I want their voters to take note, they are traitors.”

The ODM boss hinted at possible street battles with Ruto’s administration should MPs ignores their protestations and pass the Bill.

“I have been asked wherever I go to announce demonstrations; we are putting them on notice. We will announce,” Raila said.

Raila was speaking from his Capitol Hill Square where he met a section of Mt. Kenya leaders led by his running mate in the last elections Martha Karua.

The meeting was also attended by Jubilee SG Jeremiah Kioni, DAP K boss Eugine Wamalwa, Roots Party Leader George Wajakhoyah, Usawa party leader Mwangi wa Iria and former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi amongst others.

Karua said some of the revenue-raising measures proposed in the Bill and unreasonable and will hurt many businesses.

“Many of the tax measures contained in the Finance Bill are unreasonable and clearly directed not only at the nation but particularly at Mt Kenya businesses,” Karua said.

Kioni said the Bill is toxic to business and called for its rejection by the MPs.

“We will resist Kenya Kwanza regime economic policies that are designed to oppress, deprive or curtail economic opportunities of any of the communities that make up Kenya,” Kioni said.