• Raila said the Opposition is demanding a major surgery of the Finance Bill 2023 in the interest of the suffering Kenyans.
• He added that instead of levying more taxes on Kenyans, the government must first address the economy’s structural shortcomings.
Image: ODM/TWITTER
Azimio has issued President William Ruto with a list of demands he must meet if his legislative bill proposing changes to taxes is to be supported.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga said Azimio will mobilise citizens across the country to fight for themselves should the Finance Bill 2023 be forced on them through Parliament.
“We will have no options but to mobilise all the social sectors and take all necessary political actions to stop this blow and burden. Punda imechoka,” he said.
Addressing the Media at Stoni Athi in Machakos County, Raila said the Finance Bill 2023 unfairly punishes a diminishing middle class that is already suffering severe blows and can least afford to pay more taxes.
"The most tangible results of this Bill will be the incorporation of most Kenyans into the ranks of the poor,” he stated.
Raila said the Opposition is demanding a major surgery of the Finance Bill 2023 in the interest of the suffering Kenyans.
He added that instead of levying more taxes on Kenyans, the government must first address the economy’s structural shortcomings.
“For instance, there is a reason why the Kenya Revenue Authority is unable to meet its targets. Kenya Kwanza must figure out and address the problem,” he stated.
Raila said Kenya Kwanza must also address the decline of the Kenya Shilling.
He further said government should stop undermining institutions such as those tasked with fighting corruption, collecting revenue and investigating and prosecuting crimes.
The Azimio leader said the Kenya Kwanza administration should incorporate all productive citizens in nation building projects.
“Currently, the regime has alienated a huge section of the population who see themselves as outsiders and strangers in their own country,” he explained.
Raila also called on the government to rationalise public expenditure.
"It must live within its means instead of spending money it does not have on programmes and projects the country does not need,” he stated.
Raila added that Kenya Kwanza must address public concern that even as taxes rise, there is no clear plan to spend on welfare programmes for the poor.
He further said that the government must ensure all Kenyans participate actively in the process of validation of the Finance Bill, 2023.
“We encourage our people to lobby our elected leaders to stand with the people on this matter,” he said.
With him at the briefing were Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his Narc Kenya counterpart Martha Karua.
Kenya Kwanza government has vowed to go ahead with the enactment of the Finance Bill, 2023 despite criticism from several quarters.
Ruto on Saturday defended the Bill which he said aims to expand the tax base while factoring in important aspects.
The Bill will expand this year’s budget to Sh2.8 trillion up from the current Sh2 trillion passed in the 2021/22 financial year.
Kenyans, including opposition politicians and workers' unions, have opposed the Bill, terming it burdensome.