Ruto to Bar Development in Areas Where MPs Will Reject Finance Bill

President William Ruto delivering his speech at the Madaraka Day Celebrations in Embu County on June 1, 2023.
President William Ruto delivering his speech at the Madaraka Day Celebrations in Embu County on June 1, 2023.
PCS

President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, on Sunday, June 4, vowed to narrow down on members of parliament who would oppose the government's, Finance Bill. 

During the thanksgiving service of Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya in Narok, Ruto suggested MPs vote for the proposed Finance Bill 2023 in Parliament in an open ballot. The head of state argued that an open ballot would aid him to identify the Members of Parliament who would vote against the Bill.

Kenyans, he added, ought to know the leaders who oppose the Bill to provide youth opportunities. 

He warned that he would be watching legislators moving to fulfil their selfish interests and not that of Kenyans.

A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking in South Africa on May 17, 2023 (left) affordable houses launched for construction in Lang'ata on May 11, 2023 (right).
A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking in South Africa on May 17, 2023 (left) affordable houses launched for construction in Lang'ata on May 11, 2023 (right).
PCS

His deputy, Gachagua, added that the opposing MPs would be denied funds for key projects, such as roads, in their constituencies.

“There is a lot of incitement around this whole Finance Bill issue. I was in Kitui yesterday, and their MP spoke about cessation, and people were clapping. And then soon after, he told me they needed roads. Where does he expect the money to build roads to come from?

"Some of you (leaders) are lying to Kenyans, but know that if your MP is opposed to the Finance Bill, they should not ask for roads," he warned. 

Further, Ruto pointed out that legislators already had mortgages deducted from the salaries of Kenyans.

“As a leader, you are already getting a mortgage due to the taxes paid by the people of Kenya. Why would you deny these young people that opportunity? Is it not right for us to know who will vote against the bill?

"Those who are rejecting the bill are only doing so because they had been voted in those leadership positions by the people. I am waiting to hear their explanation on why they will vote against it,"  Ruto stated. 

He added that the decision made by the MPs will be a defining moment for the country, adding that it was part of the Kenya Kwanza manifesto to provide proper housing for the people. 

Politicians were thus warned against politicising the matter, noting there was no proper time to execute the plan.

"How can we agree during elections that housing will create jobs and other opportunities, but when it comes to implementation, we betray our people? 

"We must match what we say, what is in our manifesto with what we do. I want to tell those leaders asking me to wait and implement the housing plan at a later time that the time is now. This administration will keep the promises we made to the people," he added. 

The Housing Fund proposes that all employed Kenyans pay 3 per cent of their salary monthly in addition to a similar contribution by their employers to purchase a unit in the affordable housing project. 

Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga states that the highest contributions will be capped at Ksh2,500. The Finance Bill 2023 is yet to be passed by Parliament

President William Ruto at the groundbreaking of the Lapfund Bellevue Park Residence Project in Nairobi on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
President William Ruto at the groundbreaking of the Lapfund Bellevue Park Residence Project in Nairobi on Thursday, May 11, 2023.
PCS