Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has chastised National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula for blaming Members of Parliament who criticize national budget proposals in public.
Speaking in the aftermath of public outrage over the Finance Bill 2024, Wetangula chastised Members of Parliament for politicizing the national budget-making process, reminding them of their critical role in its development and passage.
He reminded MPs of their responsibility to work within the parliamentary system to resolve any issues rather than airing grievances in public.
Responding to Wetangula's comments, Sifuna accused the Speaker of hypocrisy, claiming that Wetangula helped write the contentious Finance Bill 2024.
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"Wetangula thinks we are all fools. I have heard him on several occasions say he “will not allow” legislation that is “against our African values” especially when speaking at Catholic events. Now he is pretending to be powerless."
"Secondly, he reminds us at every turn that he is a Principal in Kenya Kwanza and 3rd in command. We know he participated in writing the Finance Bill 2024," said Sifuna, who is allied to the Azimio opposition coalition.
He continued, "Lastly, he is still the Party Leader of Ford Kenya. All of his MPs voted for punitive taxes last year, and I know he has given them the same instructions this year. "Watu si wajinga buana."
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged MPs aligned with the Azimio opposition coalition on Tuesday to vote against the proposed Finance Bill 2024 when it is finally tabled in parliament, claiming that the law will only hurt Kenyans more.
Speaking at Azimio's Parliamentary Group meeting in Nairobi, Kalonzo stated that the bill, if implemented as is, will harm ordinary Kenyans due to the harsh tax proposals on key items.
President Ruto's administration seeks to extract more money from Kenyans' pockets through the new Finance Bill, which, among other things, proposes raising the price of bread and imposing a mandatory tax on all motor vehicle owners in the country to fund the 2024-2025 budget.
The Treasury has proposed imposing a 16 percent VAT on bread, which has previously been exempt from taxation.
The bill also proposes eliminating VAT exemptions for a number of financial services, including the issuance of credit and debit cards, telegraphic money transfer services, and cheque handling, processing, clearing, and settlement, including special clearance or cancellation of checks.
