Opposition leaders decry punitive tax measures in Finance Bill 2024

Azimio  leaders have intensified their opposition to the tax proposals contained in the finance bill 2024.

Led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, the opposition leaders condemned what they termed punitive tax measures in the Bill, arguing that the poor and middle class will be hit hard, exacerbating the country's economic hardships.

"In regards to the Finance Bill 2024, it looks like this government is determined to kill the middle class," said Kalonzo.

"We must pray to this government to hear the cries of Kenyans who have been overburdened," DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa added.

The opposition leaders termed the motor circulation tax ridiculous as they called on the National Assembly to halt public participation on the finance bill and remove the contentious tax proposals.

"Kenyans are complaining about tax..it must be rejected it should not see the light of the day," National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi said.

Additionally, the opposition criticized president William Ruto's response regarding the cost of his recent private jet trip to the united states, which he claimed cost only Ksh.10 million shillings.

They demanded a more satisfactory explanation from Ruto.

"We were told the jet was cheaper than KQ. The figure given by the president might look minute but Kenyans are being overtaxed; Kenyans need a better answer," Wamalwa said.  

The opposition also addressed the 'one man, one vote, one shilling' debate, stressing that it is not solely a Mt. Kenya issue but a matter of equitable resource distribution across the country.

THE opposition's remarks come barely two weeks after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revived the 'one man, one vote, one shilling' debate on revenue sharing formula to the counties