Opposition leader Raila Odinga has presented a list of demands to President William Ruto on how to reduce government expenditure and relieve Kenyans off the burden.
The Azimio boss while speaking during a press conference echoed their objection to the proposed Finance Bill 2023.
He claimed the revenue-raising measures stipulated in the bill will plunge Kenya into a deeper economic crisis.
Moreover, the opposition chief said the Kenya Kwanza government is the first regime to impose high taxes on Kenyans “in return for nothing except fantasies and fairy tales.”
He further noted that the bill is a disease which cannot be cured with everyday herbs.
As such, Mr. Odinga warned that passing the proposed Finance Bill 2023 will send Kenya into a full recession.
“This Bill is economic sabotage. If Ruto insists on this Bill, this country will go into full recession. This Bill requires and must get fierce resistance,” he stated.
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“Looking at the proposals, one cannot help asking what planet does Ruto live on? Does he understand what Kenyans are going through?” Raila posed.
Likewise, the former prime minister criticized the government for turning a blind eye to the economic plight Kenyans are enduring and is instead looking to impose higher taxes.
“The Bill exposes a clear disconnect between Ruto’s fantasy and the experiences of ordinary people,” he added.
Raila Odinga further gave examples from the controversial Housing Levy which he says the state has failed to clearly explain how it will benefit Kenyans.
“The government cannot agree whether it is a tax or an investment. Nobody knows how government became an investment advisor to Kenyans. They ignore concerns by employers and employees that many payslips are already overwhelmed by deductions, loans, and lack of pay rise,” he said.
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Nonetheless, the opposition chief listed ten things he wants President Ruto to address to reduce the cost of living. They include:
Rather than burden Kenyans, we want Ruto to undertake the following:
1. Stop duplication of county roles and responsibilities. In the proposed Bill, budget for health is growing by Ksh35 billion at the national level, yet health is a devolved functions.
2. Adopt zero-based…
— Azimio TV (@AzimioTv) June 8, 2023
- Stop duplicating county roles and responsibilities. – In the proposed Bill, budget for health is growing by Ksh35 billion at the national level, yet health is a devolved function.
- Adopt zero-based budgeting- Don’t take the previous budget as the baseline. Every budget must start at ground zero where everything must be justified.
- Don’t grow size of the budget, cut it down and live within your means.
- Instead of imposing new taxes, seal the loopholes that lead to loss of revenue.
- Stop non-essential government expenditures including the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries.
- Reduce the size of government.
- Cut non-essential Domestic and international travel.
- Freeze ministerial out of station allowances, ministerial house allowances and domestic allowances for cabinet and principal secretaries.
- Stop corruption and theft of public funds.
- Finally, we ask Ruto to humble himself, withdraw this Bill, offer [an] apology and seek forgiveness from Kenyans for the anxiety caused, then begin afresh.
