The Opposition Chief Raila Amolo Odinga has hinted at going back to the streets due to reluctancy on part of Kenya Kwanza.
“We called off our demos to give room for talks. But we have began seeing signs of reluctance from the other side. We expect talks to begin in earnest tomorrow. We are giving them upto Wednesday, failure to which we shall declare the agreement null and void” Said Odinga.
On new taxation rule, Odinga says the money spent on political events such as relief food distributions and fundraisers, creation of CAS positions and the big number of PS’s are all unnecessary expenditures that it should be done away with rather than punishing Kenyans with taxes.
“Tax on beauty products is bad. They want to tax beauty of our youth and women. Beauty industry is home to hustlers and KK wants to go after their income.” He said.
Odinga noted that transportation of sugarcane to factories will now attract VAT… this goes against KK promise to subsidize production.” We are opposed to this.”
“Taxation of perdiem paid to officers on duty at 30% is punishment. Since when did reimbursement treated as income? This is punitive…” Odinga said.
On the affordable housing, Odinga questioned, “Why would anyone who doesn’t need a house be compelled to pay 3% of their salary. We need a review of this…”
He says it is illegal to have everyone paying for the low cost housing scheme including those who do not qualify for the house.
Odinga said the Azimio will instruct its MPs to oppose proposals in the said Finance Bill.
“The tsunami of taxes in that bill will bury everyone in this country… Ruto has fast reneged on the sweet promises he made to akina mama mboga, watu wa mjengo, boda boda etc,” said Odinga.
Odinga termed the Finance Bill 2023/24 as ” a piece of punishment to the people of Kenya.”
He says the proposed Finance Bill by the Kenya Kwanza Regime is a punishing burden on Kenyans. “The tsunami of taxes will suffocate the jobless youth and the poor.”
“We strongly oppose this anti-people budget and will ensure it doesn’t pass. If it does, we disassociate ourselves from it.”
Odinga also lamented that on Saturday, armed police officers in three vehicles waylaid and arrested Lindi Ward MCA Ochieng’ Jera, took him in custody, spent the whole weekend without informing him why he had been arrested.
“This morning, he was released without any charge being preferred against him. Why?”
