Wamalwa signals return of protests if proposed Finance Bill is not revised

According to Wamalwa the proposals enshrined in the Bill will overburden Kenyans and should not pass in parliament.

Speaking in Budalangi during the homecoming ceremony of the area member of parliament Raphael Wanjala, Wamalwa vowed that they will mount pressure on the government to scrap the high proposed tax rates if they will not comply with their demands.

"The truth of the matter is this proposal you are bringing, that there is a 16% VAT on fuel, 3% housing levy, these things are against the law and they will hurt Kenyans," said Wamalwa.

"If they will not have solved the VAT issue and other things that will hurt Kenyans then we will build pressure until they (government) comply," he added.

"Are you ready to return to maandamano if they do not reduce the price of unga, fuel, electricity?" he posed to the crowd adding; "If you are ready then we are ready to stand behind Raila to challenge these people (government)."

Speaking in the same event former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya called upon all Azimio legislators to reject the Bill on the floor of the house.

"Kenyans think that the Housing Levy is the only faulty issue in the Finance Bill. There are many other things in that Bill and we urge all Azimio leaders in the Senate and the National Assembly to make sure that that Bill does not pass. If it passes the problems Kenyans will face are a lot," he said.

On their part, Legislators Jack Wamboka of Bumula and Raphael Wanjala of Budalangi stated they are ready to face off with their Kenya Kwanza counterparts in parliament to scuttle the efforts to pass the financial bill that will overburden Kenyans.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asserted that the bill will pass in parliament as it is, dismissing those trying to bar the bill from being given a green light.

The budget is set to be tabled before Parliament on June 15.