No need to waste time rejecting Finance Bill as it will be passed, says Gachagua

Speaking during a harambee function at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Kitui on Saturday, the DP said that it did not make sense to call on the government to build schools, repair roads and set up other infrastructure, while at the same time "refusing to have taxes increased".

"I am a person who speaks the truth; people must give taxes to finance our capital and recurrent expenditure... there was a call to recruit more teachers, who will pay for this? I can't pay for it with my Ksh1 million salary... that money will be gotten from the citizens" he said.

Gachagua went ahead to take a swipe at Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who called for a drop of the Finance Bill 2023 altogether, saying, "Even if you make noise and put sufurias on your head, even if you reject the bill, thinking it won't pass, you don't have the numbers and that's the truth, there's no need."

Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai, who was at the function, said, "Hii ilienda kitambo (this was a done deal a long time ago)."

He continued, "We want to do what Singapore did and we must pass this Finance Bill to get to where the country is. The Housing Levy will enable youths get jobs and it's only 3% that is being deducted."

Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda, on her part, said the Finance Bill had many 'goodies'.

She spoke of the exemptions on fertiliser to help prop up agriculture.

"People are focusing on the Housing Levy. If you don't want the houses being offered, you will have access to your money," Mutinda said.

Kenyan employees will be able to access their contribution after seven years, should they opt out or not qualify for an affordable house.

However, Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said no country had ever taxed its people to prosperity, adding that the Bill should be shot down.

"We must say the truth. This is taxpayers' money. I appeal to the government to reconsider the move to increase VAT on petroleum products from 8% to 16%. Look for alternative ways," he said.