After the passing of the Finance Bill 2023 in an acrimonious House session, Azimio One Kenya Coalition, has announced decision to resort to the masses in an anticipated resumption of new wave of countrywide mass protests.
In a statement, Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua, on behalf of other principals, the coalition said they will hold a public engagement forum on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi to discuss the Finance Bill 2023 and the national budget.
Sources from the meeting attended by ODM leader Raila Odinga and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka at the Jaramogo Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Upprhill indicate all Azimio leaders will attend the said meeting together with financial experts.
“We saw what happens when a rogue and uncaring head of the Executive decides that the only thing that matters is his ego, fantasies, corruption, and cronies’ agenda.” Karua said.
“We also learnt the hard way that this illegitimate regime can ignore the people, their feelings, fears, circumstances, hopes and aspirations and force its agenda on them. That is what Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza followers did with the passage of the Finance Bill, 2023. Ignoring the wishes of the wishes of a majority of Kenyans signals the era of dictatorship. Kenyans beware.” She added.
Azimio stated that during the gathering, members of the public will be granted the opportunity to ask questions and share their views on the controversial Finance Bill, adding that they are pondering on whether to return to nationwide protests or not.
“We say sorry to the millions of Kenyans who are struggling to come to terms with the harsh reality. We know many of you think this is a nightmare that will fizzle out; unfortunately, it is here with us, and here to stay, unless we act now. The Ruto regime ensured that the wishes of the people were ignored. Instead, he retained punitive taxes on fuel, housing, turnover, mobile money transfer and salaries, among others.” The statement added in part.
The team reiterated that it would push the current regime to ensure that the Finance Bill and the national budget reflect the needs of Kenyans, adding that the Finance Bill 2023 will lead to hyperinflation as food prices will skyrocket, hence the need to oppose it in the strongest terms possible.
“Where there has been inflation, we must now prepare for hyperinflation. With the new raft of taxes approved yesterday, we must prepare that money, even the little that we remained with, will vanish.
“To all our MPs who stood up for the people in these difficult times, we salute and celebrate you. We believe Kenyans do too. We celebrate that whereas the regime had said not even a coma would be removed from the Bill, our MPs, with the push from millions of Kenyans, were able to force the regime to accept not one, not two, but several amendments.” Karua added.
