Do not pass financial bill 2023/2024, MPs told

Butere, Monday, May 15, 2023

KNA by John Ochanda  

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has appealed to Members of Parliament to reject the Finance Bill 2023/2024 that aims to increase taxes on Kenyans to raise revenue for Government.

Governor Barasa said the bill should not be passed as it is because it will burden the already overtaxed citizens who are suffering due to the high cost of living.

“It is the responsibility of the MPs to re-look into the finance bill 2023/2024 and reduce the load on the now overtaxed citizens,” Barasa said.

The governor asked the Government to change focus on its fiscal policies from increasing taxes and suggested they should instead broaden the tax base.

“The government through its ambitious plan of wanting more revenue should not increase taxes on Kenyans; instead, they must commit themselves to reduce the cost of living,” Governor Barasa said.

He criticized the government and claimed that it had introduced punitive taxes of up to 55 percent of the gross pay and therefore should address the matter of wasteful expenditure in the regime.

“The Government cannot reason that by taxing more, the cost of living will reduce and lead to economic transformation,” He pointed out.

Governor Barasa said it was more shocking that the government that promised to lessen the burden of the so-called hustlers and mama mboga has come up with unattractive taxation proposals.

The Government proposes to increase the VAT charged on fuel, which will lead to an increase in the prices of electricity and other commodity prices.

Barasa said the bill also proposes to deduct 3 percent of basic salaries of workers to finance the National Housing Development Fund arguing that Kenyans are already grappling with reduced incomes and the soaring cost of living.

He spoke over the weekend in East Wanga ward in Mumias Sub County during the burial of Mama Leah Lukungu, a devoted member of the Catholic Women’s Association (CWA).

However, the National Assembly Finance Committee has called on Kenyans to submit their views and objections in writing to the clerk of the National Assembly on the bill that has sparked widespread dissent.

Courtesy; K.N.A