Azimio leader Raila Odinga has vowed that the coalition will mobilise Kenyans to reject Finance Bill, 2023.
Mr Odinga continued to pile pressure on the government over the Finance Bill, 2023 threatening to mobilise Kenyans to reject it if Kenya Kwanza uses its numerical strength to pass it in the National Assembly.
“If this Bill is railroaded through Parliament, Kenya Kwanza must prepare that we will have no option but to mobilise citizens around the country to fight for themselves. We will have no option but to mobilise all the social sectors and take all the necessary political actions to stop this blow and burden,” Mr Odinga said.
He said the coalition demands a major surgery to the Bill in the interest of the suffering people of Kenya.
“The Finance Bill 2023 unfairly punishes a diminishing middle class that is already suffering severe blows and can least afford to pay more taxes. The most tangible result of this Bill will be the incorporation of more Kenyans into the ranks of the poor,” Mr Odinga said.
Mr Odinga also told members of the public to lobby their elected leaders to stand with them by rejecting the Bill in parliament.
The Azimio leader who was flanked by her running mate during the August poll Martha Karua, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, former Murang’a governor Mwangi wa Iria, former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa and Wycliffe Oparanya that Azimio will not support the Bill in the floor of the House.
He pointed out that the government should address the economy’s many structural shortcomings instead of levying more taxes on Kenyans.
Mr Odinga said the government should focus on addressing underlying reasons on why Kenya Revenue Authority cannot meet its revenue targets, the weakening shilling and strengthening institutions tasked with fighting corruption.
