Azimio Coalition principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua have threatened to mobilize opposition supporters back to the streets if the National Assembly approves proposals contained in the Finance Act 2024.
Speaking on May 12, the two opposition leaders termed the proposed taxes as punitive and inconsiderate of Kenyans who are already suffering.
Kalonzo threatened that the opposition will call for protests if President William Ruto and the government do not recall the bill.
“Besides boda boda’s tax going up, even bread tax has gone up. Now imagine, if you deny a Kenyan child bread, what are you doing?” he stated.
He explained that the opposition speaks for the interest of the people and to ensure the country remains peaceful.
“They are even saying that civil servants will be signing a contract. We are not mad people; we just love our country and want people to live in peace,” he said.
Karua Backs Kalonzo
Martha Karua compared the tax proposals to the poll tax which Kenyans paid to the British government during colonization.
The Narc Party leader while acknowledging the importance of paying taxes also accused the government of overtaxing poor people.
“People must pay taxes because the government must get money to operate. However, you cannot tax people to the extent that the poor cannot afford food and their children cannot go to school,” Karua explained.
On his end, former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa maintained that the proposals will increase the cost of living.
The principals said that Raila Odinga’s candidacy for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson’s seat will not stop other coalition leaders from summoning Kenyans to demonstrate.
“Pray for the opposition team in this country. We will continue criticizing the government because this is our calling for now so that we can live peaceful lives. Otherwise, we will suffer,” Kalonzo said.
Also Read: Kalonzo Musyoka Pens Heartfelt Mother’s Day Message to Wife
Finance Act 2024 Proposals
The Finance Bill 2024 drafted by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u contains new tax proposals meant to increase revenue earned by the government in the next financial year.
It proposes 16 per cent VAT on both unleavened and leavened bread which will see the price of the common 400 grams loaf rise by at least Ksh10.
The bill also proposes a motor vehicle tax, requiring car owners to pay between Ksh5,000 and a maximum of Ksh100,000 based on the car’s value.
Also Read: Finance Bill: Bread Prices Set to Increase as Beer Lovers Enjoy Lower Prices
Additionally, multinational firms with a gross (consolidated) turnover of Ksh106 billion or more will face a minimum top-up tax.
Besides, the bill proposes to cut excise duty on a 500ml bottle of beer with 4.2 per cent alcohol content from Ksh71.22 to Ksh47.25.
It proposes a change of Ksh229 per litre to 25 per centiliter of pure alcohol including fortified wines and other alcoholic beverages obtained by fermentation of fruits.
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