- In a statement on Thursday, Ngunyi said the only way the Bill would fail was if President William Ruto were incompetent, something he said isn't the case.
- The Bill has caused uproar from individuals and groups, including a number of leaders from both the government and the opposition.
Image: FILE
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has maintained his opinion that the Finance Bill 2023 will sail through on the floor of the House despite growing opposition against it.
In a statement on Thursday, Ngunyi said the only way the Bill would fail was if President William Ruto were incompetent, something he said wasn't the case.
"Ruto is far from being incompetent. Give the man a chance to execute his vision. Then leave it to the masses to judge. It's that simple," Ngunyi said in tweet.
He said given his mandate as the Head of State, it's incumbent upon Ruto to do whatever it takes to implement that which he deems good for Kenyans regardless of public opinion.
"Ruto has to do what Ruto has to do. The Finance Bill 2023 will pass."
The Bill has caused uproar from individuals and groups, including a number of leaders from both the government and the opposition.
Lawyers, workers' unions and Kenyans at large have called for its withdrawal citing prevailing hard economic times which they say will only worsen if the Bill becomes law.
The proposed law seeks to expand the tax base to enable government raise enough revenue to finance its 2023/24 budget which is projected at Sh3.6 trillion.
Apart from the highly debated Housing Fund, which proposes a three per cent mandatory levy from employees, the Bill also wants to impose a 15 per cent tax on creative content.
Further, if passed, the Bill will push up the cost of fuel by doubling Value Added Tax on petroleum to 16 per cent from the current 8 per cent.
This could trigger a hike in commodity prices amid the soaring cost of living that is burdening Kenyans.
There is also a proposed 10 per cent Excise Duty on fish imports.
Earlier in the day, Opposition chief Raila Odinga said they will regroup and overrun Ruto if he imposes the Finance Bill on Kenyans.
He said the Opposition will not allow Ruto's threats to undermine Kenya's democracy.
"We have agreed with our MPs on what to do: vote against any tax rises," he said.
"Should Ruto overrun the National Assembly, we will regroup and overrun him in the wider National Assembly of the whole people of Kenya."
Raila urged Kenyans to reject the excess taxation to finance what he termed as wasteful expenditure.
He said the excessive taxation is stifling growth and as such, Ruto should stop adding more burden to Kenyans.