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Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President, has warned Azimio La Umoja Kenya One Alliance leaders to avoid misleading the people about the terms of the Finance Bill 2023.
DP Gachagua stated during the burial of Mary Muthoni in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, that the opposition is spreading false information about the Bill, particularly the Housing Fund.
He stated that the proposed 3 per cent deduction for the Housing Fund would only apply to employees.
He claimed that Azimio MPs are using the Bill to earn political capital by claiming that the Fund for Affordable Housing is required of all Kenyans.
"The Housing Fund is for the employed; it is aimed at making jobs for the youth," Gachagua explained.
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The Deputy President disputed suggestions that the Finance Bill 2023 would burden Kenyans and boost living costs. He stated that if Parliament passes the Bill, it will include many valuable initiatives to reduce the cost of living.
For example, he stated that the value-added tax on liquid petroleum gas (LPG) had been reduced.
"Cooking gas prices will fall, while income from coffee will rise." "Opposition leaders are deceiving the public," the Deputy President remarked.
The administration of President William Ruto has requested that the Finance Bill 2023 remove cooking gas from the 8% VAT.
He claims that cheaper gas will reduce reliance on charcoal and firewood.
"All Kenya Kwanza MPs support President William Ruto in the 2023 Finance Bill." Only one person from the Central Kenya region is raising a fuss; it's a democracy," he explained.
He addressed the National Assembly's Fiscal Year 2023/24 Budget Estimates debate.
The Deputy President stated that the next Coffee Summit, which begins tomorrow (Friday), will result in long-term improvements to the sub-sector.
"We're meeting with leaders from coffee-growing counties for three days to discuss coffee reforms." We will not fail. We would eliminate intermediaries, allowing farmers to sell their products directly and make more money. "Now is the time to reform it," the Deputy President stated.
The government plans to deal decisively with the numerous brokers and intermediaries in the coffee production chain to improve the farmers' plight.
Government officials (county and national), lawmakers, governors, coffee producers, experts, marketers, and roasters are anticipated to attend the summit.
President Ruto charged his deputy with spearheading the Coffee Subsector Reforms Implementation Standing Committee's reforms in the coffee sector.
The Deputy President stated that the government's ongoing operation against illicit brews in Central Kenya is yielding results so far.
"Chiefs and administrators must work tirelessly to eliminate illicit brews." "Work on the project and make sure there is no drug in their jurisdiction," he stated.
The Deputy President also stated that development initiatives halted in Mathira during the previous regime due to bad politics would be restarted.
Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, his wife, accompanied him.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga was present, as were MPs Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), John Kiragu (Limuru), and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini).
The leaders lauded the government's efforts to modernize the coffee industry and eliminate illegal brews.
They also chastised their colleagues for opposing the Finance Bill 2023 and vilifying the proposed tax reforms.
"It is completely insincere and hypocritical to oppose the Finance Bill while also requesting development projects," Senator Wamatinga remarked.
