Kenya Kwanza politicians have strongly criticized the court’s decision to suspend the implementation of the controversial Finance Bill 2023.
Led by water cabinet secretary Alice Wahome, they argue that the court failed to consider the opinions of the majority and instead reacted to the petition of a single litigant.
During a Thanksgiving event in a Murang’a church for one of the officials in the office of the interior cabinet secretary, Charles Karundo, the leaders expressed their concerns.
They stated that halting the implementation of the bill would hinder the government’s commitment to achieving the goals outlined in the 2023/2024 financial budget.
Wahome emphasized the need for the executive, led by the President, to receive support from other branches of the government in order to successfully implement projects aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans. She pointed out that by suspending the bill, the government would have limited resources, as taxes are the main source of funds.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro stated that the implementation of the Sh. 3.69 trillion budget relies on the finance bill. While respecting the judiciary’s independence, he asserted their right to appeal the court’s ruling on the bill.
Nyoro accused opposition leaders of deliberately obstructing the government’s operations, claiming that some of the budget programs were intended to uplift the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.
Several other Members of Parliament, including Joseph Munyoro (Kigumo), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta), Njuguna Kawambui (Gatundu North), and John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), vowed to employ legal means to ensure the implementation of the bill.
Kenya Kwanza politicians argued that Kenyans expect the government to stabilize commodity prices and lower the cost of living.
President William Ruto took action last Monday and assented to the Finance Bill 2023 following the approval of tax measures by lawmakers. The aim of these measures is to generate funds for the Sh3.6 trillion budget.
Last Wednesday night, Members of Parliament endorsed President Ruto’s proposed Finance Bill, 2023. This budget marks the first for the Kenya Kwanza administration, which has prioritized the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda with its five pillars.
The Sh3.6 trillion budget seeks to strike a delicate balance between debt servicing and economic stabilization. It allocates Sh1.5 trillion for recurrent expenditure, Sh718 billion for development, and Sh986 billion for servicing public debt.
The Bill successfully passed after the National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee chairman, Kuria Kimani, conducted the third reading.
As a result, Kenyans will now have to allocate more of their resources to finance President Ruto’s initial budget as the Head of State.
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