Editor's Review

“I will not be supporting the new taxes proposed in the finance bill. Hatuwezi finyilia mwananchi mwenye amefinyika already.

Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi has vowed to oppose the proposed Financial Bill 2023 at the National Assembly. 

In a statement on his Facebook account on Tuesday, May 9, Wamumbi stated that Kenyans are already suffering and the new proposed taxes would make life more difficult. 

He stated that as a responsible MP he would stand with the people by opposing the bill.

“I will not be supporting the new taxes proposed in the finance bill. Hatuwezi finyilia mwananchi mwenye amefinyika already. As a responsible Member of Parliament, I will stand with the people,” said Wamumbi.

File image of Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi. 

His remarks come after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei stated that Parliament has no choice but to pass the bill the way it is. 

Cherargei argued that the 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 Finance Bill 2023 is proposing a 35 percent income tax on all Kenyans earning above five hundred thousand shillings.

It also proposes 3 percent deductions on all employees’ basic salary towards the National Housing Development Fund, which will be matched by another 3 percent from the employer.