Raila threatens to lead protests against ‘punitive’ Finance Bill

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga says he will lead Kenyans in protesting against the passage of the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 which he terms as punitive and a step back in the effort to eradicate poverty in the country. 

Mr. Odinga, who toured Toi Market in Kibra which was razed down last Sunday, decried key issues in the Bill including 16 per cent taxation on petroleum products, the housing levy, and insurance compensation.

The Azimio leader asked the government to initiate national dialogue to deliberate on the controversial housing levy with a view of convincing Kenyans to support the agenda instead of forcing employees and employers to pay the 1.5 per cent tax.

“Hiyo Finance Bill ni kuweka msumari ya mwisho katika jeneza ya maiti...Finance Bill ikikuja hapa Wakenya watakuwa mahabusu wa kulipa ushuru pekee yake, hakuna mtu ambaye amekataza serikali kutoza ushuru, tayari iko pale msingi wa kutoa ushuru...serikali ya Uhuru ilikuwa inatoza watu ushuru na ilikuwa inafanya kazi,” he said.

The former premier, who called for a national dialogue to discuss the controversial proposals and find a way forward, said that if the government insists on passing the Finance Bill as is, then he will have no option but to lead Kenyans to the streets to protest against the punitive tax proposals.

“Watapitisha hiyo Finance Bill...hiyo itakuwa ni parapanda, mtakuwa mko tayari? Jamaa alikuwa anaonya ati hakuna maandamano imekubaliwa...Bwana Kithure Kindiki...Katiba inasema ya kwamba wananchi ndio number one, wako na haki ya kuchagua na kunyakua, Wakenya watatumia haki yao. Hiyo ushuru kama unataka kuleta wacha watu waketi waelewane vizuri,” he noted.

Mr. Odinga, who castigated Kenya Kwanza representatives in the bipartisan talks for derailing the process, said he will not relent in his push to have the IEBC servers opened.

Azimio leaders who held their summit on Wednesday morning asked Members of Parliament, including those from Kenya Kwanza, to vote against the Finance Bill and save the hustlers.

“We know that in your heart of hearts, you know this budget is wrong. We urge you to join your Azimio counterparts and stand with the people. We ask the mama mbogas, watu wa mjengo, watu wa boda boda, the teachers, nurses, doctors, and hawkers among others to ask themselves, does this budget serve your welfare?” Azimio Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya proposed.

The opposition leaders also criticized the government for what they claim is a plot to sideline Mount Kenya region from opposing the Bill by allegedly profiling youth from the region.

Stop profiling youths from Mount Kenya, this is meant to curtail any political activity in Mount Kenya, it is meant to cow us as leaders from Mount Kenya and maybe make us afraid of mobilizing,” Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua stated.

Usawa kwa Wote party boss Mwangi Wa Iria added: “Tutachukua hatua hata ya kuenda ya UN ili tuulize why are our youths being profiled, na mimi ningependa mawakili wetu waanze kutayarisha.”

The leaders said they have whipped their members to vote against the Bill and that those who will violate the coalition resolution will face disciplinary action.