Catholic bishops want President Ruto to repeal Finance Act

Catholic bishops say President William Ruto should repeal the Finance Act he signed into law in June, which has caused an uproar among Kenyans over the additional levies it comprises.

Addressing journalists in Nairobi on Wednesday, in the backdrop of the ongoing anti-government protests, Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria said the Act places an unsustainable burden on already-distressed citizens, especially those in the low-income bracket.

“We ask the president to repeal the Finance Act and institute a process that will seek to achieve the same goals in the context of the current economic situation,” said Muheria.

The bishops were led by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) chairperson Archbishop Martin Kivuva.

On Sunday, Muheria called for a humane and compassionate way of handling tension between the government and the opposition. He expressed concern over the government which he described as arrogant and imposing.

“Leadership needs to be humane, empathetic, compassionate. Currently, the leader is rough, insulting, arrogant and imposing. We are going into a very wrong leadership, which is why religious leaders want to talk,” the archbishop told Citizen TV on the Sunday Live program.

Odinga’s faction called for the protests to picket against the high cost of living and increased taxation by Ruto’s administration. The demos entered the third round on Wednesday and the opposition plans to have them three days a week moving forward.

At present, Chief Justice Martha Koome has selected High Court Judge David Majanja, Lady Justice Christine Meoli and Justice Lawrence Mugambi to hear and determine petitions challenging the Finance Act.

The High Court suspended the implementation of the Act on June 30 following petitions by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and several others challenging the law.

On July 10, High Court judge Mugure Thande declined to set aside orders suspending the Finance Act after Ruto signed it on June 26.

The judge ruled that the petitioners have proved that they have a case adding that if the orders were to be lifted the public stands to suffer.

Similarly, the judge said that lifting the conservatory orders will be against the public as there will be a real risk of the public being subjected to unconstitutional laws that have been challenged.

The Act raises VAT on petroleum products from 8% to 16% among a raft of other revenue-raising measures through taxes.