Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday opposed attempts by the government to introduce select proposals in the defunct Finance Bill 2024.
Speaking at the 12th anniversary celebrations at the Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole ya Africa in Kapenguria, West Pokot County, the Wiper party boss opposed the bid to review taxes noting that Kenyans are over-taxed. They claimed that the process was being engineered by Treasury CS John Mbadi.
“Let us not lie to ourselves, we have a big challenge. If President Ruto’s government will re-introduce amendments to Finance Act 2024 and then add taxes, it will be hard for Kenyans,” Kalonzo stated.
His stance came as the government, in recent days, showed plans of reintroducing proposals in the 2024/2025 Finance Bill that will be making a return in the 2025/2026 Finance Bill.
Some of the proposals that are set to be re-introduced are widening the tax bracket to include taxes for digital holding companies and food delivery services.
Joined by The Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, the opposition lashed out at the Kenya Kwanza administration in its intent to re-introduce sections of the 2024 finance.
The team claimed the bill will further burden Kenyans who are currently reeling under heavy taxation. The leaders predicted the introduction of parts of the rejected bill might plunge the country into a state of chaos as was witnessed during the antigovernment protests in June.
The opposition chiefs further warned that the proposed extension of presidential term limits risked dividing Kenyans and was ill-advised.
The Kalonzo-led team reminded the government of the anti-government protests in June when the country’s Gen Zs took to the streets to protest against the tax measures.
“We used to say President Ruto has stuck on the tree, Gen Z pruned the branches. This time round, the tree will be uprooted with its root,” he warned.
On his part, DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa cautioned MPs against endorsing the proposals when they are presented in parliament.
“(Treasury) Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is planning to bring the amendments in Parliament and we ask our MPs to object to the bill,” he told the congregation adding, “Since Kenya Kwanza assumed office, the only thing they have raised from the bottom to up is taxes.”
At the same time, Kalonzo castigated the government for imposing mandatory housing levy and extension of the presidential term limit in the bill that has been presented by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei warning that it could be the point that breaks the camel’s back.
“If you pass the amendment bill the burden of taxation will get heavier on the people of this country,” he warned.
