Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Monday, May 8, raised concerns over the proposed Finance Bill 2023 noting that it was a move by the Government, led by President William Ruto, to punish Kenyans.
Speaking to the press, the former Prime Minister argued that the bill went against promises the Head of State had earlier made.
In his statement, Raila demanded that instead of subjecting all government employees to new mandatory taxation, the regime should instead reduce the size of the government, excess cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, directorates, advisors, aids, departments and cars are gobbling up finances for no good value for money.
“Why would anyone who doesn’t need a house be compelled to pay 3% of their salary? We need a review of this.
“Taxation of perdiem paid to officers on duty at 30% is punishment. Since when was reimbursement treated as income? This is punitive," stated the former Prime Minister.
The former Premier further demanded that there should be an immediate stoppage on non-essential government expenditures including the appointment of chief administrative officers
Raila also advocated for the abolishment of money he claimed was being spent on political operations that are disguised as relief food distribution or fundraisers.
"It makes no sense at all for Kenya Kwanza operative to spend Ksh20 million on a chopper to distribute Ksh1 million worth of food.
"It makes no sense for a principal secretary to spend Ksh10 million on a chopper to deliver Ksh200,000 at a fundraiser," he added.
The Azimio leader also demanded that domestic and international travel, conferences, workshops, and training be reduced.
instead, he proposed that the workshops are held in government offices that he stated had adequate space for holding training and workshops;
"Parliament has got enough facilities for committees to meet. The same thing applies to members of the county assembly. If they have offices in Nairobi, why would they send the officials to Mombasa to hold the workshops," he added.
Raila also called for a freeze on ministerial out-of-station allowances, ministerial house allowances and domestic allowances for cabinet and principal secretaries.
Lastly, he called on the Kenya Kwanza government to end corruption and embezzlement of public funds.
"Kenyans can’t and won’t tighten their belts any further. They have had enough. Their next available course of action is to force Kenya Kwanza to tighten its belt or force it out," lamented Raila.
The National Treasury, on Thursday, May 4, proposed an amendment to Section 5 of the Income Tax Act to ensure employees' per diem, known as cash allowances, were duly taxed.
The bill also introduced taxes on several goods, including fake beards, artificial nails and per diem allowances.
The new proposal, if passed into law, will grant the government a legal mandate to partner with employers to establish a working mechanism to see employees pay their fair share.
