Former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has hinted at the resumption of protests if the Finance Bill 2023 is not revised.
At an event in Budalangi to celebrate the homecoming of Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala, Wamalwa stated that the proposed Bill would be a financial burden to people who are already conquered by the lean times. The Azimio principal asserted that the Parliament should not pass the bill and equally promised to mount pressure should the MPs pass it.
The Finance Bill 2023, set to be tabled in Parliament on June 15, 2023, has prompted a strongly contested discussion through mainstream and social media platforms owing to some of its proposals that would hurt the financial standing of many Kenyans.
“The truth of the matter is this proposal you are bringing, that there is a 16% VAT on fuel, 3% housing levy, these things are against the law and they will hurt Kenyans. If they will not have solved the VAT issue and other things that will hurt Kenyans then we will build pressure until they (the government) comply,” he stated.
Wamalwa condemned the propositions in the Bill and rowed that it should not be approved by parliament since it disregards the law and is detrimental to Kenyans. His sentiment was echoed by former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya who encouraged coalition MPs to reject it for the sake of Kenyans.
Speaking at Patrick Obuong’ Wandare’s funeral in Gem Constituency on June 3, 2023, Siaya Governor James Orengo asked the lawmakers to reject the Finance Bill 2023, saying that the Kenyan government’s proposed tax hikes would be too much of a burden for citizens. Orengo urged members of parliament to take into account public outcry on the contentious Bill when deliberating upon it in parliament.
