Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has suggested that Kenyans be allowed to vote on the proposed housing levy in the 2023 Finance Bill.
The 3% levy has caused an uproar, as citizens took it to social media airing different opinions of the same.
Sifuna during an interview at Citizen’s Day Break said the government has ignored involving the public in making crucial decisions affecting them.
“You are not listening to the hustler, to the professionals, civil society, us as the representatives of the people, you are closed up in this State House where you just sing hosanna from morning to evening and you impose these things without wanting to listen to anyone you just dismiss all of us,” he said.
“We don’t look for jobs to pay taxes, we look for jobs to improve our financial standing to help our families come out of poverty and feed our children.”
The senator further argues that the Kenya Kwanza administration is yet to fulfill their promises to Kenyans.
“Listen to someone, the hustler is crying he is saying please don’t increase the VAT on fuel you are saying it will pass whether they like it or not,”
“The hustler is telling you that they cannot afford an increase of Ksh.5 on bread and you have already increased the price of bread. You promised these hustlers that you were going to reduce the price of unga. You are lying to them every single day that Unga is Ksh.150, Ksh.160.” Sifuna added.
Sifuna has urged Kenyans to involve their elected in their talks regarding the cost of living and how it is affecting them.
Also Read: President Ruto Defends 3pc Housing Levy, Terms it as “Collective Business for Kenyans”
“I am happy with Kenyans; I am happy with the civic responsibility is beginning to be taken seriously by Kenyans. Let Kenyans express themselves,” he said.
“I want to encourage every Kenyan that on this particular one because it is going to affect you, please speak to your MP.”
“I would have wished a situation where Kenyans themselves be given a chance to vote on this housing levy because as you have seen the current regime is deaf to all of us,”
“Instead of the 290 MPs voting on this bill each constituency should vote on this tax, it should be very interesting.” He spoke.