Ruto's statement on Housing levy quite unfortunate – Churchill

Political activist Suba Churchill has termed as quite unfortunate statements by President William Ruto that he is waiting to see any MP who will reject the 3 per cent Housing Levy contained in the Finance Bill.

Churchill who is also the Kenya National Civil Society Centre executive director claimed the directive means that legislators especially those allied to Kenya Kwanza must ensure that the bill sails through irrespective of what the electorate thinks.

"President William Ruto promised to respect institutions when he was campaigning ahead of last year’s general election and Parliament is one of those constitutional institutions that he promised to allow it carry out its mandate independently," he said in an interview with the Star.

"So for him to give such ultimatums is in a view a form of dictatorship."

He also said despite its independence as guaranteed in the Constitution, the current Parliament appears to have lost it by allowing the Executive to control how to perform its duties.

"The National Assembly and the Senate have no chance whatsoever of exercising independence and authority because both of them are led by allies of President Ruto and therefore they insist on pushing for his agenda," Churchill claimed.

ELOG national coordinator Mulle Musau said Parliament is an independent arm of government and should not be directed on how to operate.

He said MPs are the representatives of the voters and should be allowed to independently deliberate on the proposals contained in the Finance Bill, 2023, on the floor of the House before deciding whether to reject or pass it.

"MPs are representatives of the people. The views of those they represent should come first during any deliberations in Parliament, their political party’s interests come second," Musau said.

The proposals in the bill have attracted mixed reactions across the country with the President rallying his troops to pass it while the opposition MPs led by Azimio leader Raila Odinga saying they will reject it.