Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Azimio coalition, on Thursday, June 22, announced the next course of action after Members of Parliament voted to endorse Finance Bill, 2023.
In a statement read by Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua, the coalition informed Kenyans that it will hold a public engagement forum on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Kamkunji Grounds in Nairobi to discuss the Finance Bill 2023 and the national budget.
Azimio la Umoja leaders, including Raila, Kalonzo Musyoka and other financial experts, will attend the forum to debunk the tax hikes.
"We saw what happens when a rogue and uncaring Head of the Executive decides that the only thing that matters is his ego, fantasies, corruption, and cronies' agenda.
"We also learnt the hard way that this illegitimate regime can ignore the people, their feelings, fears, circumstances, hopes and aspirations and force its agenda on them. That is what Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza followers did with the passage of the Finance Bill, 2023. Ignoring the wishes of a majority of Kenyans signals the era of dictatorship. Kenyans beware," Karua stated.
Azimio la Umoja stated that members of the public will be granted the opportunity to ask questions and share their views on the controversial Finance Bill.
According to the coalition, the public forum is part of Azimio la Umoja's efforts to engage with the public on key economic issues as it ponders whether to return to nationwide protests.
"We say sorry to the millions of Kenyans who are struggling to come to terms with the harsh reality. We know many of you think this is a nightmare that will fizzle out.
"Unfortunately, it is here with us, and here to stay, unless we act now. The Ruto regime ensured that the wishes of the people were ignored. Instead, he retained punitive taxes on fuel, housing, turnover, mobile money transfer and salaries, among others," read part of Azimio la Umoja statement.
The coalition reiterated that it would push the current regime to ensure that the Finance Bill and the national budget reflect the needs of Kenyans. This can be achieved by seeking legal redress or staging mass protests.
Azimio la Umoja claimed that the Finance Bill 2023 will lead to hyperinflation as food prices will skyrocket, hence the need to oppose it vehemently.
"Where there has been inflation, we must now prepare for hyperinflation. With the new raft of taxes approved yesterday, we must prepare that money, even the little that we remained with, will vanish.
"To all our MPs who stood up for the people in these difficult times, we salute and celebrate you. We believe Kenyans do too. We celebrate that whereas the regime had said not even a coma would be removed from the bill, our MPs, with the push from millions of Kenyans, were able to force the regime to accept not one, not two, but several amendments," Karua quipped.
