Raila threatens return of street protests if Finance Bill passes

Days before the tabling of the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 for the second reading in Parliament, the stage is set for a showdown between those opposing it and those backing it.

Opposition leaders from the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition have warned of the return of street protests should the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 pass.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga was in Bungoma County on Saturday, where he continued to downplay the proposals contained in the Bill which he says will be an additional burden to the overburdened taxpayer.

Raila promised to fight tooth and nail to ensure that the Bill is swallowed in the whirlwind of the strong opposition against it.

“Bei ya unga imepanda, bei ya mafuta imepanda, bei ya petrol imepanda, bei ya sukari imepanda, gharama ya stima imepanda, karo ya shule imepadna...ndio sababu tukasema punda amechoka, si punda amechoka?” He posed to the crowd.

The opposition leader, who sustained his criticism of President William Ruto’s victory, accused the Head of State of running a government that promotes ethnicity.

“Alikuwa amedanganya Mudavadi na Wetangula ati watapata 30%, iko wapi? Waluhya wanafutwa kazi, kabila wanafutwa kazi kabila moja inawekwa, Waluhya wanalipa ushuru, Wakisii wanalipa ushuru, Wajaluo wanatoa ushuru, Wakamba wanatoa ushuru, Kenya haiwezi kuwa ya kabila moja au mbili pekee yake,” said Raila.

Similar sentiments were shared by Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua who called for the suspension of the Bill, terming it oppressive.

“Hii Finance Bill ni mbovu, inapatia mtu ambaye ako na helicopter na ndege asilipe tax ya ndege hiyo na spare yake, lakini wewe mama wa kupika chai na chapati na mandazi, wewe boda boda, wewe mtu unapata shilingi 1,400 kwa kila siku, wewe unaitishwa kodi, tunasema kodi lazima iwe na uwazi iwe inaleta usawa kwa kila mtu,” said Karua.

In Makueni County Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was reading from the same script, threatening a return of street protests should the government continue with its plan to pass the Bill.

“Sisi kama wana Azimio tunasema kuwa kiwango ambacho Wakenya wanaulizwa walipe ushuru haiwezekani, umaskini ni Mwingi Covid kwanza ulianza na kwingineko, serikali za dunia zinaona vile wananchi wanaweza kujimudu lakini hapa naona bado teargas iko njiani maana sisi sio wenda wazimu,” said Kalonzo.

Kalonzo was speaking during the burial of Monicah Kivatu, the aunt of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, with Kalonzo using the opportunity to invite Sonko to the opposition bandwagon.

“Kwanza ameniambia kuwa round hii tukirudi maandamano ataungana na sisi kwa sababu ni mtu ambaye anajali maslahi ya wananchi,” said Kalonzo.

Sonko, on his part, stated: “Lakini amesema wanarudi maandamano kutetea haki ya wananchi lakini sijui kama mnajua mimi ni deep state wa hii serikali...sasa kama deep state, nitajiunga na maandamano kweli? So mimi kama deep state nasema kuwa maandamano ni haki yenu lakini yakuwe maandamano ya amani.”