Opposition leader Raila Odinga has sworn to mobilize street protests from July 7 to demonstrate against the Finance Bill 2023.
According to Raila Odinga, President William Ruto ignored the pleas of Kenyans requesting him not to increase the cost of living.
“Now you know that the only language Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza understands is street protests and boycotts,” he said
While speaking during the Azimio Coalition rally at Kamukunji grounds on Tuesday, June 27, Odinga stated that the Kenya Kwanza government had betrayed Kenyans hence the need to boycott.
“We are the people,” Odinga said, “and the people are supreme.”
He added that the Finance Bill assented by the head of state will push the cost of living up and make life difficult for Kenyans.
“And that is why we are saying that Ruto must be made to listen to the people and the only way is to resist,” he said.
“Protests and boycotts is the only language Ruto will understand because he declined to listen to the voice of the people.” Raila added.
Moreover, the new tax laws approved by parliament last week will double tax on fuel to 16 percent and introduce a new housing levy.
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President Ruto assented the bill defying criticism that it will pile more economic hardship on citizens.
The head of state has said in many occasions that he is looking to fill the government’s depleted coffers and repair a heavily-indebted economy inherited from his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, who splurged on major infrastructure projects.
Furthermore, the bill expected to generate more than $2.1 billion will hike taxes on basic goods and services including food and mobile money transfers.
Nonetheless, the Finance Bill 2023 was approved by the National Assembly despite widespread opposition from Kenyans, civil society and Azimio leaders with the president declaring that it will be passed.
