Azimio la Umoja Coalition leaders led by Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka want all members of parliament to vote out the Finance Bill 2024.
According to the leaders, the bill is punitive as it will worsen the economic situation in the country and make life unbearable for Kenyans.
Speaking at Kamukunji while visiting victims of demolitions, the opposition leaders urged all MPs to reject the bill once it is tabled in parliament for voting.
Kalonzo Musyoka stated that the decisions made by the MPs over the controversial bill will determine if they get re-elected by their constituents.
“Tutauliza waheshimiwa wabunge safari hii tunataka tuhesabu ni nani ako upande wa mwananchi ndo aanze Kwenda nyumbani mapema,” Kalonzo said.
This loosely translates to, ‘Voting for the bill will help us determine Members of Parliament who are for the people’.
Kitui women representative Irene Kasulu noted that if the Finance Bill 2024 is passed, the prices of basic products will hike, making life hard for poor Kenyans.
Also Read: Finance Bill: Bread Prices Set to Increase as Beer Lovers Enjoy Lower Prices
“Finance Bill 2024, kwanza itafanya Maisha ya mkenya aikue ngumu zaidi bei ya mkate itaenda juu, bei ya mafuta itaenda juu, io tutakubali kweli?” she posed.
This loosely translates to, ‘The Finance Bill 2024 will make life unbearable for Kenyans, prices of bread and cooking oil will hike, we cannot accept this.’
Kalonzo & Azimio Leaders on Maandamano
On his side, Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugine Wamalwa noted that the MPs are the only hope Kenyans have to shun the proposed bill.
“You’re the last line of defense for this poor Kenyans, “he said.
Therefore, the opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka threatened to call for nationwide mass demonstration to oppose Finance Bill 2024.
“Kwa hivyo safari hii maandamano tukiitish, Naona watu watatoka Nyeri, watatoka, Murang’a, Meru, Embu, Kitui, Kisumu, Kapsabet,” said Kalonzo.
This translates to ‘This time if we call for protests Kenyans from all regions will join.’
Jeremiah Kioni also affirmed that the opposition is ready for protests as it seems to be the only language the government listens to.
Also Read: Raila Rules Out Maandamano Over Taxes
Finance Bill 2024
The Finance Bill 2024 proposed by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u contains tax proposals which the government is banking on to increase revenue collection.
The bill also proposes 16 per cent VAT on both unleavened and leavened bread which had earlier been exempted from taxation.
If the bill is approved, bread will attract VAT at the proposed rate, with the price of the common 400 grams loaf set to rise by at least Ksh10.
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