
Former Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho has reiterated that the current Finance Bill, 2024 before Parliament is very dangerous for the country’s economy, urging Legislatures to floor it.
The ODM Deputy Party Leader noted that the country’s economy is already shaking and the current Finance Bill if it sails through it will be the last nail for the country’s ‘economy coffin’.
Addressing the press at Ummu Kulthum ground in Kizingo Mombasa after attending the Eid-Ul-Adha prayers on Sunday, Joho noted that Kenyans are already grappling with economic hardships and the Finance Bill, 2024 will worsen the situation Kenyans are already facing.
Joho said the reports are in the public domain that many companies have closed down and some are already planning to relocate to Tanzania and other different countries in East Africa and beyond following the heavy taxation the Kenya Kwanza government is imposing to Kenyans and investors.
Poor leadership
The politicians reiterated that Kenya Kwanza Government has failed Kenyans and all the Bottom Up Transformation Agenda (BETA) has actually turned into ‘bitter’ pill for Kenyans to swallow.
“Our leaders have failed us. It is time for our MPs to prove to us that they actually know what and who took them to the National Assembly. We should not divert the serious matter at hand about the Finance Bill but ensure our leaders battle it to the floor,” said Joho.
He said the Finance Bill should not be a matter of the Opposition alone but all the political parties with representatives in the Parliament.
“For once, our MPs should heed to our cry and listen to us, Kenyans are really suffering outside here they should listen to that cry and reject the Finance Bill in totality, it has nothing good for Kenyans,” he charged.
The former Mombasa County Chief said the model Kenya Kwanza Government is applying and implementing on taxation has never worked in any country and the government should rescind such moves or else the country will be thrown to the dogs.
“Read the moods on Kenyans faces, it is desperation, hopelessness, massive job losses and suffering following the high costs of living with a careless government. This is very dangerous trend. The President should change ways of leadership and consider the common Kenyans,” said the former Governor.
He however, warned that ODM MPs who will back the bill will be punished as the Political party has its stand on the Finance Bill, 2024.
Overburdening
Joho’s sentiments have been backed by Kenya Muslim Advisory Council (KEMNAC) Chairperson Sheikh Juma Ngao who appealed to MPs to reject the Finance Bill as it may further plunge the country into major economic crisis.
Sheikh Ngao warned that heavy taxation is simply oppressing Kenyans, saying such poor leaders style will negatively impact the lives of Kenyans until at the very grassroots level.
“You are here heavily taxing us and you are at the same time travelling outside the country taking huge debts what for? How will these debts salvage the country’s economy?”posed the Muslim cleric.
He further appealed to Muslim MP’s not to be lured into backing the Finance Bill, 2024.
Defense
However, Nominated Senator Miraj Abdilah noted that the MP’s are not explaining to Kenyans what the Finance Bill contains as it aims at facilitating development projects countrywide.
“The Coast region is receiving 1 billion shillings to fund the Galana/Kulalu mega agricultural project in Tana River county. This is just a single aspect why the Finance Bill is critical for the country’s development,” she said.
Miraj, a UDA Nominated Senator revealed that the NGAAF Kitty will also receive major boost in funding, Constituencies will receive 30 million shillings for road network improvement and 50 million more for the last mile electricity connectivity among other positive aspects.
“We should not just reject the Finance Bill but go into all details and understand it better. The government only depends on taxes to fund the 2024/25 budget and implement various development projects,” noted Miraj.
Lawmakers are expected to vote for the Finance Bill, 2024 on Tuesday, June, 18, 2024.