'Hata hewa wataanza kutuitisha ushuru,' Kalonzo says Gov't budget too oppressive

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka has termed Kenya Kwanza's budget as oppressive to Kenyans saying the new taxation regime is a burden to the Kenyan population.

Speaking in Taita Taveta County on Friday, the Wiper party leader said the budget is not a reflection of promises Kenya Kwanza made during the campaigns.

The remarks come a day after Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u delivered Kenya Kwanza's Ksh3.67 trillion maiden budget.

“Tunapinga hatua ya kupandisha ushuru...hao wa Kenya Kwisha hawajali Wakenya...wanataka kumaliza nchi kwa ushuru...hata hewa tunapumua wataanza kutuitisha ushuru,” said Kalonzo.

Kalonzo, who officiated a prize giving ceremony at Mahadakini Secondary School in Chala, criticised the increase in VAT on petroleum products saying its ripple effects will be increase in prices of basic commodities and will worsen the already high cost of living.

“Kila ukiongeza shilingi moja ushuru kwa mafuta ya petroli au diesel, maisha pia inapanda gharama yake kwa sababu hata magari wataongeza nauli yao,” he said.

The former Vice President as well as other Azimio leaders present maintained that they will play their opposition role to the end.

“Sasa Ruto alisema anataka a strong opposition...sasa ameanza kunusa,” added Kalonzo.

Members of Parliament who accompanied Kalonzo to Taita Taveta said the Kenya Kwanza budget is full of misplaced priorities.

ODM National Chairman and Nominated MP John Mbadi said the party will marshal numbers on Tuesday next week in an attempt to defeat the proposed Finance Bill, 2023.

This after the Raila Odinga-led party wrote to 28 MPs allied to it who snubbed voting of the Bill during the second reading, as well as those who voted in support.