President Ruto banks on 'reluctant' MPs to push new taxes
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A past sitting at the National Assembly. By using public pronouncements that border on instructions and thinly veiled threats to the lawmakers, President William Ruto (inset) has had his way in the National Assembly and Senate.
The Nation held multiple interviews with the MPs, and the picture that came out was that the lawmakers were rallied to support the new proposals and to break down the concepts to their constituents when the time for public participation kicks in.
The move, according to the lawmakers, is to avoid backlash and resistance from members of the public as witnessed during the Finance Bill, 2024, that was passed by the House but rejected by President William Ruto after deadly anti-government protests led by the youth.
Members of Parliament have been caught up in a big dilemma on whether to support a raft of new tax proposals aimed at helping the cash-strapped government raise more money.
The lawmakers were on Thursday urged to ensure the public support of at least five tax-related Bills that the government intends to pass.
