Editor's Review

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei now says that Parliament has no choice but to pass the Finance Bil 2023 the way it is.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei now says that Parliament has no choice but to pass the Finance Bil 2023 the way it is.

In a statement on Tuesday, May 9, Cherargei stated that the Kenya Kwanza government will either have to borrow money or raise revenue through taxation.

“On the Finance Bill 2023 the decision to pass by Parliament is not optional where even coma shall not be amended be because we either borrow more or raise our own revenue through taxation,” said Cherargei.

The UDA senator at the same time accused Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga of contributing to the public debt during the previous regime.

“The serious public debt of 10T was put by Hanshake govt of Uhuru/ Tinga that the kenyans are paying heavily now. Tinga did not raise an objection in handshake govt yet he was senior advisor to Uhuru then this hypocrisy should stop. This is because no new taxes are being introduced in the country. Kulipa ushuru ni kujitegemea,” Cherargei added.

File image of Raila Odinga

Raila on Monday announced that he would instruct Azimio MPs to reject the proposed financial bill.

“We wish to make it clear that as a party we will try our best to ensure that this anti-people budget is not passed by the National Assembly.

"In the event Kenya Kwanza uses its hired majority and passes the bill as it is, we want the people of Kenya to understand its Kenya Kwanza’s budget. We will instruct our members of parliament to have nothing to do with it,” Raila stated.

The opposition chief demanded that the Kenya Kwanza government stops non-essential expenditures including the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs).

He also demanded that the size of the government be reduced by removing excess Cabinet Secretaries and other government officials.