Deputy Minority leader of the National Assembly Robert Mbui criticized President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for interfering in parliamentary affairs on matters of the proposed Finance Bill 2023.
The Minority leader said that Members of Parliament should be allowed to exercise their right to either pass the controversial Finance Bill or not once it is tabled in parliament.
While speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Monday, June 5, Mbui displayed frustrations in the mode in which the Finance bill is being handled by the two leaders.
“It is very unfortunate that the president says he will be watching very keenly on how MPs vote and there have also been veiled threats depending on how people vote maybe that’s how development will be taken to their areas, the constitution is very clear we must develop every part of the country,” Mbui stated.
Moreover, Mbui urged lawmakers not to be hoodwinked by the executive, and instead represent the wishes of their constituents.
“I think Kenyan legislators need to understand that the constitution of Kenya 2010 is very clear about the roles of the Members of parliament and one of those roles under article 95 is representing the people and I want to advise my colleagues because have heard a few from the Kenya kwanza side kind of insisting they would do what the president asks,” he stated.
Furthermore, Mbui opined that the threats of preferential development projects in the country is uncalled- for, adding that Kenya deserves to be developed uniformly without discrimination on basis of voting pattern.
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Likewise, the legislator echoed that Kenyans have been paying taxes over the years and there will be subsequent finance bills yearly.
He however added that tax increments proposed in the Finance Bill 2023 would greatly reduce people’s disposable income.
Mbui called on the President William Ruto-led administration to do the bidding of the people because it is the people who gave them the responsibility.
“It is unfortunate when I listen to the president when I listen to the deputy, I am shocked you know the kind of dictatorship that this country is slowly going towards. Otherwise, I would want to urge the Kenya kwanza Members of Parliament to be objective.” Mbui said.