Africa-Press – Kenya. Azimio leader Raila Odinga has listed reasons why Members of Parliament should reject the Finance Bill 2023. In a statement on Wednesday, Raila said the budget proposal remains flawed beyond redemption.
He said that there is no amount of amendments that can redeem the Finance Bill 2023. Raila has raised at least 10 reasons why lawmakers should vote against the controversial bill fronted by the Kenya Kwanza government.
“We believe Kenyans have been hurting for a prolonged period of time. This Budget proposal prolongs and worsens the suffering of the people. As a party, we believe Kenyans will thrive when we cut, not when we increase taxes. This proposal increases taxes,” he said.
He further said the country will thrive when there is a moderate expenditure. The Bill raises expenditures and proposes to spend what Kenya doesn’t have.
“We believe the country will do better when we devolve more in line with the Constitution. This Bill proposes to devolve less and instead ask for more money for the national government for otherwise devolved functions,” he said.
He added that Azimio believe the country will function better when the middle class is strengthened. The budget will kill the middle class and when we kill them, we hurt millions of Kenyans.
“We believe in extending and expanding social security protection to our people. This Bill diminishes social protection.”
He said Azimio believes in creating an enabling environment for manufacturing for investors. Raila added that the bill offers little in terms of encouraging manufacturing.
“We believe in empowering the private sector and enabling it to be the driver of growth in our country. This bill frustrates the private sector with taxes,” he said.
“We are passionate about extending a helping hand to women and particularly to single mothers and the youth. This Bill takes away from our women and our youth.”
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