We will pass the Finance Bill, Gov’t does not lose - MP Sylvanus Osoro says

South Mugirango Member of Parliament and National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro has said the House will pass the Finance Bill 2023 without changing anything in it.

Speaking during Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s book launch, Osoro said that initiatives by the government of the day must always pass, hence adding that even the Finance Bill will sail through easily. 

“With the fact that the government does not lose, I want to assure you (President William Ruto) that even the Finance Bill will pass,” he said. 

The legislator’s remarks come days after Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei dismissed public outcry and said Parliament will pass the proposed Finance Bill in its entirety.

“The Bill will be passed as is, without even amending a comma, so that government can be able to finance its budget,” he said.

The Senator dismissed Kenyans crying for a review of the Bill, saying that tax has only been increased on luxurious products.

“The taxation that has been introduced is mostly on luxury objects, there are no new taxes that are being introduced that can harm a hustler, I have never seen a hustler wearing wigs or fake nails,’’ the Nandi Senator said.

The Bill which seeks to raise taxes on various products that include eyelashes, switches, artificial nails and other beauty products has caused uproar among opposition leaders, trade unions, and employers. 

The Kenya Universities Staff Union (KUSU) Secretary General Charles Mukhwaya said the Bill will increase employee’s statutory deductions if passed.

“We are greatly concerned that the workers’ representatives have not been consulted on any of these levies, hence a violation of the Constitution and relevant enabling legislation,” Mukhwaya stated.