Police officers have lobbed teargas canisters to disperse hundreds of protesters who are against the Finance Bill 2023. The protestors who assembled at the Jevanjee Gardens in the CBD were supposed to march to Parliament to express their anger to Mps
The executive is putting pressure on MPs to pass the contentious Bill, which will be introduced in the National Assembly on Thursday for the second reading before the Finance and National Planning Committee brings the report from the just finished public participation on the proposed law.
Speaking in Narok on Sunday, President William Ruto cautioned MPs not to vote against the Bill. He branded opponents of the Bill as enemies of the youth who stood to benefit from the new plans.
“It should be clear whose side the MPs will vote on.” “I am waiting for an MP to vote to oppose the government’s intention to give jobs to young people who voted for them,” Ruto remarked.
During the same event, National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro stated that nothing can block the government’s wishes and that he will encourage MPs to support the Bill.
“We’ll get through this.” “As Chief Whip in the National Assembly, I have said and will continue to say that the administration cannot lose,” Osoro added.
During the House debate, the Majority Whip stated that several modifications to the proposed law would be introduced.
“Members will have the opportunity to offer amendments at the committee of the full House.” We have heard from the youth who have raised concerns about the content creation fee, and we will explore some changes,” stated Osoro.
The bill has received a lot of opposition, especially from Azimio La Umoja have termed it as punitive. Yesterday, opposition leader Raila Odinga said he would release a thorough statement on the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition’s stance on the disputed Finance Bill, 2023, on Thursday.
“On the Finance Bill issue, we as Azimio will give a detailed statement on Thursday to tell Kenyans why we oppose it and what they should do if it is brought to parliament,” Odinga said.
The Finance Bill, 2023 proposes a 16 percent Value Added Tax on fuel and a housing fund, among other levies, as the Kenya Kwanza government seeks to raise more money from Kenyans.
But while the Azimio coalition has signaled to resume anti-government protests if the controversial bill 2023 is not reviewed, the government remains bullish, with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asserting that the bill will pass in parliament as it is.
Odinga on Monday termed politicians supporting the bill as enemies of the country, telling Kenyans to take note of whoever does not reject it.
“There have been all these threats but our MPs have been told to oppose it fiercely. We want Kenyans to watch out keenly for whoever will support that bill because that is betraying Kenyans,” said the Azimio leader.
